Dear Wild Child,

Have I told you today how much I love you?

Have I told you how grateful I am that our mother/daughter relationship is heading towards what I've always wanted it to be?

Have I told you how much it meant to me this weekend when you patted the couch next to where you were sitting and said, "Come snuggle with me!"?

Have I told you that I know there are great things in store for you in life? Your drive (stubborn-ness?) and outgoing personality are going to take you so far. Once a woman stopped us in a restaurant and said, "She's going to be the president of something someday." I'm pretty sure she's right.

I know we've had some challenges and I am so sorry you had to go through the pain you went through as an infant. So sorry I couldn't get the help we needed for you then. I think that led to your sensory and sleeping problems, and if I could turn back time, you can bet I'd do things different.

But I am so glad that we are where we are today. You've led me to learn so much about parenting and how to be the mom I've always wanted my kids to have. I've learned how to ask for help and how to relax just a little. I've learned that sometimes it takes a village and that I don't know everything. I've learned that's there no one book or method that's catch-all. I've learned that each child is an individual and I have found that taking small pieces of different philosophies has been the answer for us.

As I see your personality develop, I feel pride in my soul- we made you! What a sweet little thing you've become! I think you're going to be a little tomboy, but I was pretty excited this weekend when you wanted me to paint your nails. That's my girl!

So if I haven't told you today, I love you. I'm so lucky to be your mom and I can't wait to watch you grow.

Love,

Momma

Shred It or Dread It: FAIL

Yeah, I leave Wednesday night for my Mexico trip. And I only managed to lose that 4 pounds I lost in the first week of my failed Shred It or Dread It plan. It's not that I didn't try. In fact, I worked my ass off and worked out a lot. A whole lot. With weights. And cardio. I mixed it up, sure that would do the trick. But alas, there was too many holidays and parties and too much beer I suppose.
But I'm over it. I've decided I'm having a good time whether I have any jiggly bits or not.
So I've purchased the swimming costume (tm Holly) above and I'm going to rock it. (Top here and bottom here from Lands End. Super cheap.) Sure, I look a 35-year-old mom of two who works full-time and can't quite get her act together to get in the shape she wants to be in, but if that's who I am, then so be it.
I'm going to have fun, not worry about holding in my stomach, and enjoy some fruity drinks and Mexican beer with my dearest friends. I can't wait!

Convertible Eye Color

Stila Convertible Eye Color ($22 at Sephora)

Recently I ran across this product in Onyx in my makeup bag. I had gotten this in a set I purchased last year. I've never worn black eyeliner before as I typically stick to brown and plum with my blue eyes.

But I went ahead and gave this a try, and although I found the black to be a little dramatic for day wear (and when the hell do I have a night on the town that calls for a dramatic eye?), this made me recall my love for this product.

The next time I placed a Sephora order I ordered this in Stone and I am so glad I did! Basically this is 3 products in one. First, a fabulously soft and smooth eyeliner. On the other end is a smudger, which saves me from using my finger and having to wash my hands. Hidden in the middle is a coordinated eye shadow shade that is perfect for me to use in my crease. I apply Stila Kitten (go enter the giveaway!) as my base color and then use the stone convertible color in the crease and blend with a brush. Fast and easy, and perfect for work.

Don't forget that ebates.com offers 4% back on Sephora orders, and of course, here is the link to see all the official coupon codes for Sephora.

Here's just one of their great deals right now.

FREE Lip Polish! Get a FREE full-sized Bare Escentuals Buxom lip gloss in Charity ($18 value) when you buy a Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit. Enter code BECHARITY at checkout.

Today

I am plum tuckered out.

I'm not sure if I can even make it through the work-day.

I made it through four nights of VBS OK, but yesterday's PreK field trip did me in.

I bet you're wondering how Shred It or Dread It is going... let's just say not well. Damn holidays and parties. And I love beer too much to completely cut it out. Maybe I can make good decisions for the next few days and lose a few pounds before next Thursday. Yeah, probably not.

Off to get my second Coke of the morning... I suppose that's part of the problem huh!

Stila Eye Shadow Giveaway!

Head over to my giveaway blog- I'm giving away a Stila eye shadow in Kitten!

What?

The other day we were driving down the street and The Wild Child said, "Look, there's one of the Jonas Brothers!"

What? There are no Jonas Brothers here, my dear. And how do you even know who they are? You are 3 1/2!

Damn Disney Channel.

Dear Jillian,

Oh, Sweetie. I am 99.9% sure you made the wrong decision last night. I think you are too.....



I mean, how cute is he? And genuine, and realistic..... I don't blame him one bit for wanting to take it a bit slow. The track record for Bachelor/Bachelorette pairings aren't too good, my dearie.

(By the way, Reid, if you happen to google yourself and stumble upon this, I don't think your official ABC pic did you any favors and I didn't want to use that pic. You are so much more handsome than that so I did a little screen cap that captured your cuteness a little better. Next time, exercise the Power of Veto if you aren't feeling photogenic on Official ABC Picture Day.)

Jillian, I just don't think that Ed or Kiptyn are right for you. Ed stole my dad's swim trunks from 1978 and that's a problem. There was also some mysterious bedroom issue. That's can't be good. And Kiptyn's mom...... oh lordy. She'd be a fun mother-in-law.

But I will keep watching and see how things go. Maybe you'll pull a Jason and end up with someone you let go (Reid!)? We shall see.

Yummy Find at Sam's: Golden Grahams Treats

Golden Grahams Treats: Chocolate Marshmallow

O. M. G., these are beyond fabulous. 3 points, and pretty big. What a great way to start my day! I picked up a giant box at Sam's because I knew just from looking at the picture I'd love them.

I think these are a product re-work, becuase I remember eating these in the past, but they weren't this yummy back then......

The Big Brother 11 Office Pool

Kevin

Yes, I drew Scarfy McScarferson in the office Big Brother 11 pool.

Knowing my track record with who I draw in the office pools, I was sure he'd be a nitwit and was destined to go home first.

But I really liked him! He's funny and not at all annoying.

So maybe the streak is broken.....

Giveaway: Buxom Lips

Head over to my giveaway site, Sasha Says Giveaway!, for a chance to win a BE Buxom Lips!

Question

Does anyone currently use Bare Minerals foundation in Light? Email me if so. barelytogether at yahoo dot com

I had an unused jar of this to pass on to someone who would use it, but Clemson Girl has claimed it! Thanks for emailing me!

Dear Wes,

Just so you know, I won't be buying your record.

You give me the willies and country music a bad name.

"Your Daughter"

was a little too quiet last night while I was working on some bookkeeping in the playroom so I went to investigate her whereabouts.

I found her in the kitchen in this get-up that she dug out of a sack of baby clothes that someone just returned to me.

It's a 6-12 month outfit that's pants and a long-sleeved shirt. However, on a 3 1/2 year old, not so much.

She was doing a little jig, although I'm not sure how she was seeing where she was going with that infant towel over her head.

And her name is now "Your Daughter" since that's pretty much what we refer to her as.

Recap Roundup

Yeah, I forgot to take the camera to the ILs, which is where we went Friday for the 4th celebration. We had a fabulous time, but I have not one single picture to remember it by, damn it. I am losing my mind at 35.

So all I've got for you today is a Referral Roundup. Here's a list of some of my favorite things and how you can I can both get a nice reward if you utilize any of these offers.

Ebates referral- you get $5, I get $5. My referral email address is sasha2599[@]yahoo[dot]com.

Gymboree Visa Referral $20 sign up bonus for each of us if you sign up and use my referral code: 100 035 040.

DIRECTV referral- we each get $50! 1-866-GIFT-TO-YOU Account # 10108109

I've got some stores on my right sidebar, so if you are shopping at Sephora or Amazon, start here and click through my link and I'll love you forever!

Hope you had a great holiday and cross your fingers for me that my MIL got a pic or two she can share with me from the holidays!

Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss Giveaway

Be sure and check out my giveaway site- I've got a tube of Fresh Sugar Lip Gloss up for grabs!

"Your Daughter"

I know that anytime my husband starts a sentence with "Your daughter" there's trouble.

Last night he called me from the golf course and said, "Your daughter just ran over her own leg with a golf cart."

What?

Turns out he and The Politician walked down the fairway to get a ball and left the Wild Child sitting peacefully in the golf cart, and she promised she'd stay put. My husband turned around and saw her standing up in the floorboard with the pedal to the metal... then saw her fall out and get her leg run over.

Luckily, she's fine. Laughing and running and such. She seems to have been given 9 lives to go along with her Conduct Disorder. Good thing.

But just how many heart attacks is she going to give us?

Sephora Favorites

I have been (im)patiently waiting on my LashStash mascaras to get here, and now I see that Sephora has quite a few of these fabulous samplers- each for $40 or less. What a great way to try out products!

LASHSTASH MASCARAS: Try this eye-batting arsenal of 11 of Sephora’s most-wanted mascaras- it’s our bestsellers in a box! Sephora Favorites Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler

EAU GIRL SCENTS: This scentsational set packs 8 petite versions of Sephora’s most sought-after spritzes, perfectly sized for even the smallest clutch.Sephora Favorites Eau Girl Fragrance Deluxe Sampler

SKIN-SAVING MOISTURIZERS: Find your next miracle cream with a kit filled with our 6 top
moisturizers – you’ll have nourished, hydrated skin in a flash! Sephora Favorites Face Quenchers Moisturizers Deluxe Sampler
NATURAL WONDERS SAMPLER: See how green glamour can be with this set filled with 9 of Sephora’s best-selling natural beauties. Sephora Favorites Naturally Gorgeous Skincare & Make-Up Sampler

And here's a link for Sephora's Official Coupons and Code page.

Do you think?

I should make this my profile pic?

Mamalicious just posted this on FB and I about died laughing. Do you know the time that went into that hair? It involved Awesome hair spray and a blow dryer and hanging my head upside down.....

Tonight I will be looking through my albums for some of her in return......

Last Day for Neutrogena Giveaway

Today is the last day for my Neutrogena sunblock giveaway. Right now there are only 4 entries for the 2 prizes, so the odds are in your favor if you'll just enter!

Good luck!

Reality Check: Shred It or Dread It

Last week Slim and I (and Big Bubba) were eating lunch in celebration of Slim's 35th birthday.

Whilst I was dunking my 59th tortilla chip in the oh-so-creamy cheese dip, Slim smiled at me across the table and said "So, how's your Shred program going?".

Yeah, not well.

So today we start o-vah. I've actually got my WW QuikTrak Diary right here and am logging all food I eat so I am at least accountable to this damn notebook. There are no birthdays at work for a bit so I won't be tempted to make any random desserts. Although I am disclosing that I am going to make Hot Bean Dip and Bacon Ranch Dip for the 4th and do plan on taking a day off-plan to celebrate.

But it's happening y'all- I'm losing 10 pounds by July 23. Pinky-swear.

We Have An Injury

Our very first tball injury.

See those baseball stitch marks? The Politician caught a ball with his face last night. He went to the dugout for a bit but headed back on the field pretty quickly.

He was actually kinda proud of his battle-wound when I asked him if I could take a picture of it before bed last night. But you can see he's pretending to be sad in the photo......

We lost our third game of the playoffs last night, but we've got another chance tonight since it's double elimination. Good luck Cubs!

RH Baby & Child: Who Knew?

Did you know that Restoration Hardware has a baby and child line? I didn't! But I guess they knew how big of a fan I'd be, so they sent me their catalog yesterday (unprompted). Super-smart of them since I of course placed an order today for bedding for WC's big girl full-sized bed.

Uh, huh. How gorgeous is that? I'm going to use that blanket (on sale for $45- regular price $129) as a coverlet and I got two of the matching standard shams for $10 each (regular price $29).

Her bed has a footboard, so we really don't need a bed skirt. I got this boxspring cover in petal for $40 (regular price $80).

And I also got this darling full-sized blanket in petal/chocolate for $35 (regular price $99).

How gorgeous is all that?????? Can't wait to get it.

A New Giveaway!

I've got a new giveaway up at my giveaway blog for some Neutrogena baby sunblock products! And don't forget to enter the iPod drawing... it's been extended until July 6.

The Quest for the Perfect Mascara

This is so cool- Sephora is offering a great kit called Sephora Favorites Lashstash Mascara Deluxe Sampler- samples sizes of 11 of Sephora's most popular mascaras for only $39.

Here's what's included:

• Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara
• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
• Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara
• Stila Multi Effect Mascara
• Benefit Bad Gal Mini
• Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash
• Too Faced Mini Lash Injection Pin Point
• Smashbox Bionic
• Lancome Cils Booster
• DuWop Lash Venom
• Korres Provitamin B5 and Rice Bran Mascara

Of course I had to purchase this myself, because I think it owe it to my blog readers to try out each mascara and give my opinion. Isn't that a valid purchase? I think it is.....

Don't forget to go through ebates for 8% back and you can use code 3SJ9HQ for free shipping on $25. I always find great codes on RetailMeNot, so if you are spending more than $50, you'll get free shipping anyway and you can use a code from there for a free product sample.

Baby Sweetstakes at Amazon

Amazon is running a neat sweepstakes right now- you can win a dream baby registry valued at over $3,000 in apparel, feeding, gear and nursery products from top-name baby brands like Britax, Fisher Price, Graco, Quinny, Maxi Cosi and Skip Hop, including a one year supply of Huggies Supreme diapers!

One Amazon Dream Registry Sweepstakes winner will be selected each month from May through December for up to eight chances to win.

It’s easy to participate - you simply need to create an Amazon Baby Registry and add 10 items to be automatically entered into the sweepstakes. The sooner you create your baby registry, the more chances to win! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Drawings monthly. Ends 12/31/09. See Official Rules for details.

Last Day for Giveaway!

My first giveaway on my new site will end at 10 pm CST today! You've got a fabulous chance of winning a 16 GB iPod Touch since there are only 48 entries right now. What are you waiting for??????????

Edited at 1:45 pm CST: Great news! xtra xtra has asked me to continue the giveaway through July 6th! You still have time to enter.

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......