Need Your Honest Opinion

I am crushed. Defeated. Saddest I have ever been.

Yesterday at Wally World I was picking up a few things we had forgotten to get before the Father's Day dinner at the ILs. I tossed a pack of Mike's Light in my cart along with all the other random things we needed because I always need Mike's Light.

Checking out, I saw a message flash on the screen as the cashier scanned the Mike's:

Is customer under 40?

The damn whipper-snapper chose NO!

Unbelievable- do I look over 40?????????

(And really, I should be honest and tell you I don't actually want your honest opinion- I just need about 20 commenters telling me I totally don't look a day over 30 to re-set my confidence meter).

Go.

Over My Head

If I'm on your blogroll with my OLD blogspot address, it looks like it's not redirecting... it may be a blogger issue, but it also may be a google issue that I am so lost on how to fix. Something about new DNS entries.

At any rate, please update your blogrolls for my domain http://www.sashasays.com/ so you don't get that pesky page not found message!

Although I am thinking this post might be pointless, because if you typically find me by my blogspot address..... how will you see this? I'm going to bed.....

GDA: Lean Cuisine at Target

This week Target is having a fabulous deal on Lean Cuisine and Lean Pockets.

Purchase three Lean Cuisine One Dish Favorite meals for $2 each and get a free package of Lean Pockets! Basically, you get four frozen items for $1.50 each! And if you eat the Lean Pockets individually, as I do, it's actually just $1 per meal.
My current favorite Lean Cuisine is Pasta Romano with Bacon. Nom Nom. It's divine- aside from a few large chunks of tomato I picked out, I ate the entire thing! Don't read the reviews on the LC site- there are some crazy people saying it tasted too much like bacon. Hello! "Bacon" is in the title!

Current Lean Pocket flavors I am digging: Whole Grain-Garlic White Chicken Pizza, Whole Grain-Meatballs & Mozzarella, Cheeseburger, Chicken Parmesan, and Mexican Style-Chicken & Cheese. Yay for no veggies!

Oh, and anonymous, if you are still out there and plan on griping at me for not liking veggies, don't bother. We don't care for that around these parts.

OMG- Father's Day is Sunday!

Did you all know that Father's Day is Sunday? I knew in the back of my head, but as typical for Sasha, I haven't managed to pick up anything for the hubs or my dad.

An Amazon.com gift card might solve all my problems!

One Word

Awesome!

Heat it for 8 seconds in the microwave and eat it with a fork- that's the secret!

I Must

have these. Hungry Girl told me about them yesterday and I can't quit thinking about them. How good do these Cinnabon Snack Bars look? I think they'd be worth the 3 WW points.

GDA: John Frieda Root Awakening

Last month I posted about the new John Frieda Root Awakening collection that BzzAgent introduced me to and how much I was loving the Nourishing Moisture shampoo and conditioner. Well, I still do! I did try the Strength Restoring shampoo and conditioner, and I didn't like that formula nearly as much. I have also been using the Health Boosting Detangling Spray on both my daughter and myself and absolutely love it.

And this week there are two pretty fabulous deals on these products that will give you a low-costs opportunity to try them too!

First, CVS is offering the products for $4.99 when you use your ExtraCare card. Add to that deal the $3 coupon from today's Smart Source insert, and you've can try the products for only $1.99 each!

Walgreens has an even better deal if you can get your hands on three of the $3 off coupons. You can basically try the shampoo, conditioner, and detangling spray for $1! Walgreens is offering them 3/$15, and then they give you $5 in Register Rewards for your next visit. Net price is then 3/$10 and if you use three $3 coupons, your end price will be $1 for three products. Fabulous.

If you try these products, let me know what you think.

Vocab Lesson: Wow Wear

Are we all watching Little Miss Perfect? If you're not, you should be. There's all kind of things to be learned.

First of all, when thinking of my daily wardrobe, it'll now be all about "Wow Wear", which is some type of creative outfit or sportswear that the girls in the pageant wear to "Wow" the judges. That can certainly apply to our lives I think- don't we all need to have that "Wow" factor when we get dressed? I'll be putting on my black pants and work shirts and thinking to myself, "Will I wow anyone today in this outfit? If not, I probably need to change."

Also, I have a new favorite song, and it's called Little Miss Perfect Pageant. Did you know there are citrus colored rainbows on the other side? I do now....

Contest Reminder

Let's chat a bit about the giveaway on my other blog. Right now there are only 25 people entered! And since there are two prizes, well, the odds are pretty good that you'll win an amazing prize. So head on over and enter!

Shred It or Dread It: Update 1

Hmmm... I think my scale lied to my face like it did to Mamalicious a few weeks ago.

My mother-scratcher scale told me I've only lost 4 pounds since I first started Shred It or Dread It about 9 days ago.

I'll admit that I haven't gotten my planned 6 days per week of exercise in, and I certainly haven't managed to keep track of my WW points like I should, although I'm betting most of you figured I'd fall off the wagon in some way. I always shoot big so I if I fail on some of my tasks, some of them still get done and there's some positive-ness to pat myself on the back for.

I've totally succeeded on limiting my alcohol intake to Saturdays (well, there's just been one Saturday, but you bet I drank on it) and so I figured I'd lose a few more than that...... maybe I sabotaged myself on my Saturday off with Slim and Mamalicious? Oh wait, I did have a few beers last Friday on accident.

At any rate, I suppose that's a good start and I still have 6 weeks or so to go to lose the remaining 11 pounds. I'm not sure when I'm going on my trip because I have a terrible memory for things like dates. The hubs asked me last night what day I leave and I told him I'd have to pull out the calendar to check, and damn, it was all the way in the kitchen. Hopefully the girls I'm going with will remind me when it gets close. Surely they'll pick me up on their way to the airport.

Terrible News for Shred It or Dread It

I just found out that Braum's has 9 new flavors, including Light Pomegranate Cheesecake and Pomegranate Sherbet. And I have been told they are fabulous.

This is a problem.

We will be going there after tball tonight I am sure (my car will just veer off the road into the parking lot against my will, definitely) so I will report back on their tastiness tomorrow.

Nutritionally, they are not that bad- 120 and 140 calories respectively for a half-cup, but I'm afraid it will be the re-occurrence of my purchasing that will do me and my desired hot body in.

Notes from School

Note on daily sheet after The Politician's field trip to fire station:

Discuss and practice escape plan for your home. Have a meeting place outside. Remind children not to hide inside. [Stop Drop (cover face) Roll: If you are on fire]

Ah ha. So don't stop drop and roll if you are *not* on fire.....

I don't know why, but that cracked me up!

I'm a Big 'Ole Hick

This morning the kids and I were at an appointment and the doc said something I didn't quite hear.

I said, "Do what now?" and she died laughing.

I guess they don't say that back East.

Giveaway!

I'm hosting an unbelievable giveaway at my review and giveaway site, Sasha Says Giveaway!

First prize is a 16 GB iPod Touch and the runner-up will receive a $50 gift card to Amazon.com!

Check it out......

Hemangioma Revision Update

The Wild Child had her second hemangioma revision surgery in March 2009 and we couldn't be more pleased with the results.

This was before the second surgery

And this is now

We keep it covered with Mepiform Sheeting 24/7 and also go overboard and make her wear a thick white athletic wristband any time she goes outside- so you can see a bit of a tan line- although I promise we use sunscreen! We are supposed to be using the Mepiform for at least 3 months, but I have read about fabulous results for people who have used it for around a year, so we're going to continue using it for now since we have quite a bit left.



Here's an extreme close-up.

If you are new to our story and want to see the progression in pictures, click here.

GDA: Girls Crocs Mary Jane

I just got two pair of Crocs Mary Janes for WC for $9.98 shipped!

They are BOGO free, and you can use code SPRINGCUSTOMER09 for free shipping! Sizes are a little spotty, but hey, it's worth spending some time on since they are so cheap! Happy shopping!

I Am More and More Famous By the Minute

I was invited to guest blog at Ebates, my most favorite site ever, and my post is up today!

You've got to check it out- I posted about a great skincare deal at one of my favorite makeup and beauty sites, Avon.

My Avon rep, Valeri Fournier, is rockin' awesome and always takes good care of me, and I know she'd take good care of you too! Make sure and make her your default rep if you don't already have one. The thing I love about the blogging community is we are so good about taking care of each other. So don't order without a rep- someone should get credit for it! Let's do that for Valeri!

Of course, you also want to make sure you start at Ebates, so you can get 10% back- how great is that? If you aren't already utilizing Ebates, be sure and sign up under me so we can both get $5 when you make your first purchase.

There's a new Avon product I really like- it's so new it wasn't on their site when I created my Ebates post. It's called SpectraColor Lipstick and you use a dial at the bottom to chose your intensity from 1-7. Very cool.


I tried The Berries and it is a great color for me. It's a highly pigmented liquid lipcolor. I didn't notice any running into the lines around my mouth, and as it wore off, it left behind great color, almost like a stain.

What Avon products do you love?

Oh No! Max Factor Kisses America Goodbye per WSJ

I'm getting ready to stockpile my HG mascara, Max Factor's Lash Perfection Volume Couture, because I just read in today's WSJ that P&G is removing Max Factor from US shelves in order to concentrate on CoverGirl. (Do you read WSJ? I absolutely love the Marketplace and Personal Journal sections and scour them for product and marketing news first thing at work every day.)

Wah! This is the absolute best mascara ever... It's currently only available in my area at Wal-Mart. I'm heading there this weekend and buying all the have. I'm gonna look like a crazy lady buying 10 mascaras.

I Am Just Waiting on My Heart Attack

because The Wild Child is sure to give me one some day.

Last night we had been swimming at my ILs house. The kids got out and we got them all dressed and ready for dinner. Of course, at 3.5, WC can't yet swim on her own, so we use a floatation swimsuit and arm floaties as an added measure.

So we're sitting by the pool chatting, and I see WC take off her canvas Crocs and dunk them in the pool. Fab- they'll take 2 days to dry...

Then she walks down to the first step in the pool and sits down. In her clothes. Super.

Then my brother-in-law says, "Can she swim?" just as WC is walking down the steps and completely lets herself go under water.

"Nope." I say as I step towards the pool, prepared to jump in (fully clothed) when I see a little hand emerge out of the water just in time for me to grab it and yank her out.

And she's laughing. Hysterically. She thinks it's a riot and isn't scared at all.

Holy crap. It's a good thing she's such a sweetie so I can forget about being worn slick when she gives me a big hug and a kiss!

Dear Jillian,

Tanner P. is ucky.

Seriously, he has an admitted foot fetish? And that's all he talks about.

I am totally skeeved out. Remember, he's probably toned down since this is national television.

Imagine what he'd be like After the Final Rose. Your toes would never have any peace or privacy.

My advice, no rose for Tanner P. next week. Please. Don't make me listen to the toe licking pantomime anymore.

Lylas,

GDA: Pottery Barn Kids Lunch Totes $5.99 shipped

These cute lunch totes are on sale for $5.99 with free shipping from Pottery Barn Kids. They have boy colors too!

Edit: To get it for $5.99, you have to go to www.potterybarnkids.com and search for item 68-5864715.

A Day at the Farm

Saturday the whole fam damily headed out to the county for a mini college reunion with three of my sorority sisters and their families. We had 8 adults and 9 kids between us. My friend Jodie even had a little boy that is just a few days older than P, and they really hit it off.

We had a ultra fabulous time complete with good food, good beer, and good company!

When we left Sunday morning, P got sad and said, "I'm really going to miss them!"

A little fishin'- P caught this fish by himself

The kids spent most of them time riding in these

pulled by this.

I love love love that we were able to let them pretty much have the run of the place and no was one telling them "No, don't do that!" That's one thing I think we miss living in the city- that freedom that we had as kids in the 70s. I guess there's just too many damn crazy people these days.

The four of us girls all grew up in small towns and we talked a lot about how we all used to ride around in the back of the pickup truck (in town of course). We had a farm outside of town and I have a memory of my dad stopping at the convenience store on the way there and getting a single tall boy beer in a skinny brown paper sack. When he'd get in the car, he'd peel of the pop-tab and drop in down in the beer before he took his first drink. No car seats back then- we'd either be sitting in our dad's lap helping steer, or sitting on the "hump". I think when we were babies they just laid us down in the back seat. Who knows....

Things are so different now. These days we have to watch the kids like hawks and make sure they don't go in the street and get hit by a car or snatched up by a crazy person.

Out at the farm, the worst that could happen is they might get filthy- and they sure did that!

And they are still talking about how much fun they had.

Love to all my girls- can't wait for Mexico next month!

Motto for Summer 2009

Agree?

Just When I Think Things Are Going Well

Last night the Wild Child smashed Slim's little girl's birthday cake.... before the birthday girl had even seen the cake! I was devastated. I was trying to watch her, but I was busy closing all the pizza boxes so she wouldn't mess with the pizza and didn't see her as she pushed down on the top of the box and smashed it into the cake and it picked up all the icing.

I snatched her up and apologized to Slim, and said I had to take her home as punishment. The hubs stayed at the party with The Politician. Getting home was hard- she went into a giant fit complete with hyperventilate-type breathing and I of course was crying myself.

I am just so sad..... why is this so hard?????? Why can't we go to a birthday party and have fun and not have to spend every second watching her so she doesn't do something destructive???????????????

Thanks for listening.

I Had An Anxiety Attack at Sam's

and it wasn't pretty.

WC and I were going to Sam's to pick up snacks for P's t-ball game Thursday: small bottles of G2 and peanut butter crackers (not poisonous!).

I put it in park and no one was parked next to me, so I opened my door and before I knew what was happening a guy in a big truck came out of nowhere and hit my door as he was pulling in.

I won't bore you with all the details, but after he insinuated that it was my fault and starting whipping out his camera phone to take pictures of the damage to his front bumper and acting like I was going to have to pay to fix his truck, I pretty much burst into tears. Of course WC saying "Why'd you hit our car?" alternated with asking the guy "Want a pretzel?" wasn't helping.

Since my anxiety manifests itself with tears and a giant lump in my throat that won't let me speak, I mumbled that I would just have my husband come and handle this. I absolutely suck at confrontation. And the craziest part is I used to be on the debate team- and I was damn good at Lincoln-Douglas!

Of course the fabulous negotiator hubs swooped in and solved the world's problems for me.

I still cried my way through Sam's and the hubs is trying to convince me to have a Mike's Hard Pomegranate Lemonade (thanks Missouri!) to relax, although I am desperately trying to lose 14.6 pounds by my Mexico trip in July, and I just started my dietary restrictions at 1 pm today after Girl's Lunch and I hate to spoil that with alcohol.

Should I have one anyway???????

How cute is my family?

How cute are they? Smores night on our vacay.....

GDA: 100 prints from Snapfish for $12.99- shipped!

What a great deal from Snapfish - 100 prints for $12.99, shipping included!

Don't forget to go through ebates for 10% back too!

If you aren't a Snapfish member, leave me your email address for an invite.

We won't need to ride the water rides at SDC because my undies are already wet from the monsoon that is happening right now. Rain rain go away......

In the Great State of Missouri

They have Dana's BBQ (BBQ nachos that are to die for! Hi Holly- you'd love them!), Silver Dollar City, and Mike Light Hard Lemonade!!!!!

We don't have that in our state. States with a 3.2 law don't get much cool stuff. We do have the Light Cranberry Lemonade, but I'd love the plain light also. Tonight I have polished off a few along with some smores that we made outside our condo rental. Yum-O.

Seeing as how the Summer of Beer is upon us, I guess I'll just have to stock up on the Mike's Light before we head home Monday.......

My House Smells Fabulous!

The rain has stopped, the sun is out to stay for a bit, and I have Spring Fever. Time to put up the Christmas candles and make the Sasha house smell like spring!

I recently picked up two different candles at Target to see which one I liked best.

First up is Glade Suddenly Spring, purchased for $3.14, which I believe was 50 cents off the regular price at Target.

This candle is such a pretty shade of pale green and looks great in the frosted glass. It smells light and fresh. Cons: the label is permanently attached to the glass, and the scent is very light- you almost have to "try" to smell it burning.

Next I purchased Febreze Winds & Springtime for $6.54, also at Target. I used a $1 coupon from the P&G insert to bring the price down to $5.54. (Note: I just found the same candle for $5 at Walmart, so that's $4 with a coupon.)

The glass is nice and thick and feels expensive and there is no label attached to the glass- it looks pricy! The color is the same pretty shade of pale green, but the scent is FANTASTIC and I feel bad each time I have to blow it out. This scent is stronger than the Glade, but still not overpowering. This candle wins hands down, and I'll be purchasing more since this is a limited edition.

Let me know if you have found other spring-y candles I need to try!

What I Am NOT Listening To Right Now

Last Saturday I attended my cousin's high school graduation, and one of her classmates sang a song I really liked that I had never heard before.

The next day, I heard it on the radio and I thought the original artist did an ever better job! I knew that was a sign- I needed to put it on my ipod.

So I searched the Internet to find out who sang it.

And I was flabbergasted. I sat there in disbelief. I'm a Zeppelin girl, a Doors girl, a classic rock girl! There was no way I liked a song by.....

Miley Cyrus

The Climb

I just lost some 'cred, huh?

But don't worry, I not purchasing the song just for the principle of it. I'm 35 and there is no way I am allowing myself to have a song by Hannah Montana, in any form, on my ipod.

Hair Update

Last week I posted on my Facebook "Contemplating cutting my hair...." and boy did I get a lot of comments! Most said "Don't cut it!" while some urged me to rock a short cut.

I've been growing it out for quite a while (for me!) and it's actually pretty long- well, it's past my shoulders. Because it's really fine, it typically gets stringy when it gets long. So it was at that point- looking tired and yucky at the end of the day and I was really thinking about going back to the short layered bob I have had for most of my life.

But then BzzAgent came to my rescue! They invited me to join in the John Frieda Root Awakening campaign. They sent me the Nourishing Moisture shampoo and conditioner to try.

Typically, I don't buy moisturizing hair products because I'm afraid they will weight my hair down. But these products are amazing! Seriously, my hair has never looked better. Shiny, smooth, soft.... healthy!

And at my hair appointment next week, I'll just be getting a highlight (yes I know it's more than a highlight....) and just a trim. Now that I have found these fabulous hair products, I know I can keep the length and it will look fabulous!

Have you guys tried these? If not, what are you favorite hair products right now?

Oh Noes

Although I do realize 100 calorie snack packs weren't meant to be eaten in pairs, I couldn't talk my stomach out of it.

She Knows No Strangers

At Chic-Fil-A last Thursday, WC saw a girl taking pics of her kiddo in the play area. WC marched up to her and said, "Take my picture!". The girl was a little taken aback, but she complied with this bossy little 3 year old (her voice makes you do that) and then WC promptly said "Let me see!" while putting her hand on the girl's leg, waiting to see the screen.

At Braum's on Friday night, she sat down with a couple having hot fudge sundaes and asked them "What are you eating?"

And yesterday our neighbor was out doing yard work, getting some sun without his shirt on. WC walked over to him and asked "Why are you nekkid?"

If I had half her confidence and lack of shyness, I'd be doing big things. Where in the H did she get it?

Bat Girl Sasha

I'll be keeping the Big Book at P's tball game tonight, and since it's been 17 years (!) since I was a bat girl, I'm off to google "baseball book keeping".

I know I need some sunflower seeds and a pencil, that's for sure.

Mom Agenda Love

New printables at www.momagenda.com/printable for your inner Monica!

GDA: Zoya Nail Polish

Check out www.scrangie.com for an amazing deal on Zoya nail polish! $72 worth of polish free when you buy the Color Lock system. I am excited to try Zoya!

Look What I Won!

Lookie what I got in the mail! I was recently chosen a giveaway winner at Bergdorf Blonde and I was so excited to see what Shasta would send me! She is just precious and loves the finer things so I knew it would be a fabulous gift. I don't even know how I stumbled upon her blog- but now I'm addicted and look forward to her posts so much.

I cannot wait to have an evening all to myself to take a bath and use the scrub and lotion! It smells so pretty! Shasta, thanks so much!

Sephora Sun Kit + Bonus Ebates Cash Back!

Sephora Sun Safety Kit $22.50 ($110 value)

I had two fabulous things in my email box today.

The above Sun Safety kit from Sephora, which I totally mean to order every year, but am totally doing today. Girls, take care of your skin! I always had a savage tan back in the day, but I am paying dearly for it- my face looks terrible- hyperpigmentation, freckles, wrinkles.... I am so mad at myself! I use sunscreen every day now.

And on top of that........

This weekend, Ebates is doubling cash back from purchases at Sephora!!!! Fabulous- you get 8% back! Sign up under me and we'll both get $5!

Also, use code JUICE to get a 1 oz oil free moisturizer sample. And shipping is always free on $50.

Coach Shoes Goodness

Coach Hayes

How gorgeous is she? Dillard's was having a fabulous Coach sale this week and I picked these up for almost 50% off- it was an amazing deal! I love shoe shopping at Dillard's because I just walk around trying on whatever I want since all the display shoes fit me since I am a 6. Fun stuff. Don't have to wait for a salesperson to help!

I wore these yesterday and they are actually very comfortable. Felt like a million bucks....

Crazy Americans

I mean, not that I got my act together enough to vote myself, but I cannot believe that America sent Allison home... she was fabulous and that duet with Adam simply rocked.

GDA: Free 8X10 at Walgreens

What a great deal! Use code MOTHER to get a free 8X10 at Walgreens- today only!

New Lipgloss Find

Lancome LA LAQUE FEVER - Ultimate Lasting Full Color Lipshine $26

Are you tired of my lipstick finds? Do you think I am crazy for spending $26 on a lippie? I don't want to hear you say one little word about it... I know I have a problem and I've made peace with it.

I purchase Plum Wave and it is divine! It applies like a lipgoss, but has the coverage of a long-wearing lipstick while still being moisturizing. It doesn't bleed and the color lasts hours. Meet all my requirements! Oh, and it smells good too.

I see that Sephora has some new shades and I'd like to try Digital Berry. (Is anyone from Lancome corporate reading?) I tried Plum Savvy on my hand at the store and there wasn't enough color in it for me.

Speaking of Sephora, I don't know if you noticed, but I have an affiliate box on the upper right hand side.... should you be placing a Sephora order, be sure and stop by my site first and click through- I'll love you forever... and be able to purchase more lippies to try and blog about!

The Graduate

Unbelievably, The Politician graduated from PreK on Saturday. He's been at this Catholic preschool since he was 6 weeks old.... after he completes the summer program and leaves for public K in the fall, he will have been there for 6 years!

The Wild Child goes to school there also and I don't know what she'll do when she figures out her bubba is at a different school this fall... they love getting to see each other during the day. She was so well-behaved at the ceremony, it was like someone switched her out with another child! Ha!

Look at this big boy in his cap and gown! I figured he'd flip out about having a wear something over his clothes, but he did just fine and was quite angelic.

But once he got his diploma, the silly-ness came out. He spent the rest of the alphabet doing this....

And this.

After the ceremony, he chose to eat at Red Robin. After lunch, he looked at me and said, "This is the most exciting week of my life!"

My little boy is growing up so fast. And I'm so proud of him.

GDA: Target

Target has the 20 oz Vitamin Water 10s on sale for $1.02. Combine that with the $1 off coupon from last Sunday's paper, and you've got a free drink!

I got the XXX (triple berry or some such) and it's fabulous.

Also, Target has some of their Pace speciality salsas on sale for $1.99. Combine that with the $1 off coupon that was in last Sunday's paper, and you've got fabulous salsa for 99 cents!

My personal favorite is Tequila Lime.

Sightseeing Photos

Hold on folks- I had a brilliant thought and I'm about to share it with you. By the way, if someone has already thought of it, don't tell me that. I'm basking in my brilliantness right now and it feels pretty good.

Anywho, when we were in NYC and the hubs and about 15,000 other people were all shooting a bazillion pics of various landmarks with their pocket-sized P&S cameras, I got to thinkin'.

First, you should know that I am all about time management. I rarely waste my time doing something that someone else has already done or can do for me quicker, easier, and better than I can do it. I figured that out PDQ once I was a working mom of two crazy kids.

So here was the thought I had as I watched this picture being taken:

And this one....

And this one...

Why are we all taking pictures of the same thing?

Seriously.

Here's what I'd like to propose.

You know how all those postcard shots are fabulous? Let's create a website where you can download these pics and add them to your flikr, snapfish, shutterfly, whatever... and you can add them to your album to go along with pics like this:

Cause every sightseeing album needs some personal shots. But for the landmark photos, let's not continue to waste time. There's lots of more productive things we could be doing.

Like drinking beer.

Right Now I Am Listening To

Sugar and Gold was one of the bands that played at our music festival and they are my new favorite band!

They're upbeat, dancy, and super-fun! I can't stop signing Neighborhood. Check it out below!

Notes From School

Please talk to WC about keeping her clothes on at school. She took them off two times today.