Ebates Rocks!

So I know I mentioned it earlier, but can you believe I am getting a check for over $125 this quarter from ebates?

If you aren't signed up yet, now is the time! Through June 30, anyone who signs up through this link will get $10 (and so will I!).

Let me know if you have questions. Glad to answer them!

My Avon order should be delivered today!!!!

Dude. I love makeup. And I love my new friend Valeri who emailed me a free shipping code to use on her Avon site!

So I've been stalking the UPS website and I see my package in now in Big City Close To Me, My State, so it should be there when I get home today. I actually foresee that I might have to continue to stalk UPS and once it's delivered, I may or may not have to make up an excuse to run home to get it.

I ordered: (and yes, I know I went overboard, but hey, that's what I do, and Mr. Sasha, if you are reading this, I am using my $128 ebates check to pay for this that should be arriving any day since it was mailed to me yesterday)

• Pro To Go lipstick in Cherry Glisten, Berry Juice, and Provocative Plum
• Skin So Soft Bug Guard since we live in Mosquito Land
• Banishing Cream Skin Discoloration Improver (recommended by Valeri for my hyperpigmentation)
• mark Glossblossom Ripening Lip Tint (like O-Gloss or Mood Swing, only affordable!)
• mark Caribbean Shine Lip Gloss in Kiss on The Beach
• Nail Experts Nail Brightener- a must-have per Traci Ann
• mark Self Sanctuary Lemon Sugar Moisture Milk - supposed to smell like my beloved Fresh Sugar Lemon
• mark Shine Tubes Hook Up Lip Gloss in Buttercream Brioche - another Traci Anne recommendation

So hold tight, reviews to come!

My New Favorite Song

I recently found my new theme song (Jason Mraz- I'm Yours), and it's all summery and makes me want a beer or three. That works out great since this is The Summer of Beer.

For some reason I can't explain, I've developed a little crush on Jason Mraz. Yum.

Let me know what you think. Am I nutty?

Edited to add: I figured it out! It's that cute little sideways grin he has when he is singing..... Boy, I'm certainly a pathetic 34 year old working soccer mom of two, huh?

Concealer Answers for Laura

I knew the only person who loves makeup more than me would have some ideas for Laura!

Thanks Traci Anne! Love ya!

Ask the Product Junkie: Concealer

Laura writes: Sasha, I read your blog daily. I’m Laura and you link to mine (Our Crazy Wonderful Life) on yours. Anyway, I’ve got a product question for you. I have dark under-eye circles that I can not get rid of. I use Bare Minerals for my makeup and love it. I also started using the Neutrogena eye makeup remover after you suggested it and I really like it a lot. For under my eyes, I’ve tried the yellow-tinted powders, lighter foundation under my eyes, coverup (which I can’t stand – I’m a powder girl) everything – but nothing works. What’s a girl to do?Help?

Laura, first of all, I've seen a pic of you on your blog, and I see no dark circles! You are gorgeous! But if you insist that this is a problem for you, I may have an idea that you haven't tried.

Have you tried applying your minerals wet? I have heard of ladies using water or, get this, Milk of Magnesia, to make a paste with their minerals and applying that with a concealer brush. Let that dry before you apply your foundation dry with your normal foundation brush. I believe they were just using their regular foundation color for this method.

Let me know what you think. If this isn't a road you want to go down, I have another makeup crazy friend who might know..... Traci Anne, any other ideas?

I Want To Be Like Reese Witherspoon

So I'm gonna use the same lipstick she does. Isn't she gorgeous?
My fab new friend from OBBC, Valeri, directed me to her personal avon page and was kind enough to send me a free shipping code so I could get my hot little hands on some of their new Pro To Go lipstick!
I imagine she may have some more codes to spare- just email her at bucfanri at gmail dot com and tell her Sasha sent you!
I would describe the Pro To Go as a highly pigmented lip balm. It doesn't have a lot of staying power, but it feel absolutely fabulous on your lips and wears off extremely evenly, so I didn't mind reapplying it. My lips were somewhat chapped the morning I started using the lipstick, but by the end of the day, they felt conditioned and weren't chapped at all. Love this stuff.
I tried Cherry Glisten (Reese's shade and my favorite), Provocative Plum, and Berry Juicy- all are beautiful shades. Try 'em and let me know what you think!

Ulcerated Hemangioma Pictures

I get A LOT of google search hits from my hemangioma posts. I thought it might be useful to put my timeline of pics all together. If you are squeamish, I recommend you skip this post.

I did a lot of internet searching out of desperation when WC's H started ulcerating, and I didn't easily find any pics like these, showing in order how an H opened up and then healed.

If you ever need any information about hemangiomas, or just someone to talk to who has been through one, just email me.

5 weeks

8 weeks

9 weeks

13 weeks

14 weeks

17 weeks

18 weeks

19 weeks

20 weeks

22 weeks

almost 7 months

10 1/2 months

1 year

15 months

18 months

2 years

I also want to send you to another post I wrote on this subject that mentions specific doctors and contact information.

Homework!

The Sashas are big slackers.

The Politician had some homework over the weekend- the above pennant was sent home blank and he was supposed to decorate it- concentrating on his hobbies and interests.

Mr. Sasha was all, "Oh, we can have him put a bicycle on there, and soccer, and trains...."

I said, "And are you wanting him to draw these things????? Because he can't even write his name."

Cause we are slacker parents and haven't worked at all with him on writing or drawing. He is just not interested in coloring/drawing and I don't push it.

Anyway, I got out some markers and set them on the table. He grabbed a yellow tadoodle and started scribbling. You can see the results above. I was getting worried and a little sweaty- what was this going to look like next to all the others?

Suddenly I got the bright idea to get a magazine and cut out pictures of things he likes. He loved this and had fun taping the pictures of Dora, Diego, pancakes, drums, and ice cream etc. on the pennant. He did also try to write his name, which I blocked out, but let's just say it would have probably been safe to leave it there because I don't imagine you would have been able to decipher it.

And it was just fabulous that I realized on Mother's Day that I am the worst mom ever. P will be 5 in August and can't write his name. Is he destined to be a non-productive member of society?

Lyrics Quiz

My friend Tina did a Lyrics Quiz on her blog the other day, and I missed it! I would have totally gotten the Marky Mark one if Cassie hadn't beat me to it!

I think I'll do my own, and as Tina said, I have "eclectic" taste, so have fun!

Rules:

Step 1: Put your MP3 player or whatever on random

Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.

Step 3: Here’s the fun part: YOU get to guess what song it is from just the one line; if you’re really good, you’ll know the artist as well!

Step 4: I'll color line when someone gets it right, linking to that someone, cause I’m nice like that.

Step 5: No cheating! And by cheating, I mean no looking them up on Google or any other search engine.

1. Another summer day, has come and gone away in Paris and Rome (Stephanie guessed Home by Michael Buble, although the one on my ipod is actually by Blake Shelton)
2. I could go out tonight, and find some stranger, it wouldn’t be wrong, no it wouldn’t be wrong
3. I've been waiting, pacing along the halls ever since you left here. I've been cleaning, scrubbing the plates and weeding out the garden dear
4. I don’t mind spending some time just hangin here with you
   Cause I don’t find many guys who treat me like you do
5. I don’t remember what day it was, I didn’t notice what time it was
6. Down in the valley, the valley so low, that's where my vegetables, my vegetables grow (CM got it- In the Valley of Vegetables by Laurie Bernker)
7. She got a shack floating down the Pontchartrain (Britni got it- Love is Free by Sheryl Crow)
8. Busted flat in Baton Rouge waiting for a train (Hair Girl got it- Janis Joplin, Me and Bobby McGee)
9. Anyone who's ever had a heart, wouldn't turn around and break it (The Renee got it- Sweet Jane, and I have both versions on my ipod- Cowboy Junkies and Velvet Underground, which I like equally well)
10. I don’t wanna see your face, I don’t wanna hear your name, I don't want a thing, just stay away baby (Hair Girl guessed Rod Stewart, but not that I know of)
11. He’s a movie star, only drives rented cars. met him in a bar, said I know who you are. Took him to my party as they games were starting, bottles on the ground, are you ready now?
12. You say, I only hear what I want to (Slim got it- Lisa Loeb "Stay")
13. She said “It’s cold outside” as she hands me my raincoat (Sandra got it- 3 AM by Matchbox Twenty)
14. So long ago I don’t remember when, that’s when they say I lost my only friend (sweet-seventeen got it- One Headlight by The Wallflowers)
15. I went to a party last Saturday night, I didn’t get laid, I got in a fight (aj got it- Lita Ford- Kiss Me Deadly)
16. Baby I get so scared inside and I don’t really understand, if it's love that’s on my mind or is it fantasy (Anonymous got it- Close My Eyes Forever by Lita Ford and Ozzy)
17. I was sitting in my garden, when I saw a bumblebee (CM got it- Buzz Buzz by Laurie Bernker)
18. Hey, hey, mama, said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove (Tech Savvy Mama guessed Led Zeppelin and aj knew that it was Black Dog)
19. You know the day destroys the night, night divides the day (Sandra got it- Break on Through by The Doors)
20. It's getting near dawn, when lights close their tired eyes. I'll soon be with you my love, to give you my dawn surprise.
21. Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone, Susanne the plans they made put an end to you (Smoochiefrog got it- Fire and Rain by James Taylor)
22. If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me? For I must be travelling on, now, 'cause there's too many places I've got to see. (Jennifer got it- Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd)
23. Well I never been to heaven, but I been to Oklahoma. Well they tell me I was born there, but I really don't remember (not the first verse) (Hair Girl said Never Been to Spain by Elvis, although my version is by Three Dog Night)
24. There are stars in the Southern sky, southward as you go. There is moonlight and moss in the trees (Joy got it- Seven Bridges Road by The Eagles)
25. Sweet wonderful you, you make me happy with the things you do, oh, can it be so, this feeling follows me wherever I go (sweet-seventeen got it- You Make Lovin Fun by Fleetwood Mac)

I Got Excited For Just A Second

last night when The Politician said, "Momma, your Mother's Day surprise is in Daddy's car!!!!" as I was putting him to bed.

I said, "Hmmm.... what it is?" (Hoping for this Garmin Forerunner 101 GPS watch thingy to help me with my pacing.)

P said, "Six tootsie rolls and four peppermints!"

Super, just what I wanted.

Holy Crap

Yeah, I just figured out that I left my keys in the ignition this AM when I got to work.

So I am missing my arts org meeting.

And can't go to Target.

And have to eat work food.

And must call the local Honda dealership to find out how much $$$ we'll have to shell out to get finally get an extra key. I hear it's $150.

Damn.

Edited to add: Yay for AT&T Wireless Roadside Assistance!!!!
As I was perusing the Yellow Pages for a cheap locksmith, my coworker asked if I had a roadside assistance plan..... All of the sudden I remember I did!!!!!
So my car got unlocked quickly, and for free to boot.
Mr. Sasha wanted me to ask about getting reimbursed for our lock-out a few weeks ago, but I told him there was probably a Stupidity Clause and if I told AT&T we just went through this 3 weeks ago, they'd be less likely to dispatch someone quickly.... plus I hate doing stuff like that over the telephone, a la Ashley. So I told him he can take care of that phone call himself.

Links and Product Junkie

So I loved it that Kate told me about an awesome website that I'd never heard of. I need more!

Anyone have any other sites they need to share with me?

Some of my personal faves:

• Makeup Alley for makeup reviews
• Internet Movie Database for those times when you can't figure out where you've seen that actress before
• Purse Forum especially this thread for authenticating Coach bags on ebay auctions
• Coupon Mom's Newspaper Coupon Database (link in middle of page)
• This site to quickly figure WW points
• Amazon filler item finder when you need to get to $25 for free shipping
• Digital Camera reviews
• Negative/Neutral feedback finder for ebay- quickly find seller's negative and neutrals without wading through all their feedback
• and of course I love Television Without Pity and Perez, but you knew that

So what links do you have for me?

Also taking submissions for Ask the Product Junkie.....

Red Velvet Cupcakes!!!!!!

Kate just directed me to a super-cool website, Hungry Girl, all about yummy good-for-you (or at least better-for-you than Hershey's Bliss) food.

I found a fab recipe for HG's Red Velvet Insanity Cupcakes. Sweet niblets, I can't wait to try them! There's a slight possibility I might make them for a coworker's birthday tomorrow, but there is a bigger possibility that I will just pick up something at the grocery store for the birthday and make these when I have more energy. Who knows when that will be, but damn, I have got to make these.

(photo above from Hungry Girl website)

Another Yummy Snack Food Food

So you guys know that I have this problem grocery shopping- I pretty much just go from aisle to aisle, seeing interesting stuff and tossing it into my cart. Especially new yummy snack food.

I'm a big fan of the 100 Calorie packs that are so popular now. Yes, I know they aren't very economical, but it would be less economical for me to eat a whole regular sized bag at a time and have to buy a whole new wardrobe, now wouldn't it?

My latest find is Chex 100 Calorie Chocolate Caramel. Mercy, it's good. There's two flavors in the bag, (obvs) chocolate and caramel. The caramel rocks my world and the chocolate isn't too bad either- a nice balance for the so very sweet caramel. But I could actually eat a whole bag of the caramel, but then that would probably be more than 100 calories....

Anyway, I've also recently tried the Turtle and Peanut Butter Chex and although they don't come in the 100 Calorie bags, you simply must try them. The kiddos loved them too, although they did leave the pretzels in the bag of course, as they weren't covered in a sugary concoction.

And, hey, if you are getting pissed off at me for suggesting too many red-light foods, just remember I can always email you the C25K plan!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!!!!

Well, I just got an email that made my day (and my week!)!

Turns out I'm a winner in 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic's Clean & Clear Giveaway!!!!!

You know how much I LOVE trying new beauty products, so I can't wait to use these products and post a review for you.

I absolutely love Christine's site- it's been one of my faves for quite some time. Check her out- she always has great reviews of fab products!

Oh Snap

Oh, this is totally something one could blame on one's children, but alas, I am not able to do that.

Cause I did it. Yup, it was me who opened the cabinet above the toilet, only to have a bottle of OPI Candy Cane Cutie come crashing down and shatter on my bathroom floor.

I spent the better part of 30 minutes trying to get up as much as I can off the toilet seat, the toilet bowl, the tile, the door, the shower door, and the threshold. I gave up on the rug and just threw it away.

I am about to google "getting red nail polish out of carpet" because, you see, just on the other side of this rug, where you can't see, is cream carpet. Now with red nail polish on it.

I must admit that the Lexapro allowed me to say, "Hmmmm... wonder what my priorities should be? Toilet? Floor? Shower door?"

It's nice not to freak the F out.

Yay me!

28:50!!!!!!

My best time ever, and that's after 3 beers at girls night last night!


Super awesome thanks to my friend Amanda for coming to cheer me on! So sweet and you made my day!

Damn You, Hershey

You know raspberry is my weakness..... so you just had to go and do it. Damn you.

(And, oh, but they are good. Found 'em at Target, where they just jumped in my cart.)

Meme

maybe i should start to work on that tax return for work that is due May 15

i love the smell of laundry and Fresh Sugar Lemon

people would say that i’m a bit nutty and talk a lot and know a little bit about a lot of things and can find anything on the internet

i don’t understand why The Politician can't go to the bathroom in the middle of the night without coming to wake us up

when i wake up in the morning I turn off my alarm that is going to go off in 3 minutes and I jump out of bed ready for the day (I'm super annoying like that)

i lost my willpower to keep counting WW points

life is crazy and right now I couldn't do it with my Lexapro

my past consists of a few semi-bad choices, but I turned out OK regardless

i get annoyed when things don't go my way, a typical Capricorn behavior

parties are something to look forward to (unless there's no beer)

dogs sometimes scare me, but I'd like to have a Golden some day just like LaVerne

cats make me cry since I miss Phil and Margo desperately

tomorrow is a 5K followed by a Tball meeting

i have low tolerance for wine- just a sip and I'm drunk and have a terrible headache

i’m totally terrified of revolving doors and eating vegetables

i wonder why I thought accounting would be a fun career choice

never in my life have i felt the pride I feel when I see my kiddos

high school was pretty damn fun

when i’m nervous I get a rash and my neck turns red

one time at a family gathering... my crazy grandmother made chili for a holiday dinner and tried to poison everybody

take my advice: figure out what works best for you parenting-wise and don't worry about what anyone else thinks- all kids are different and what worked for your best friend/mom/boss may not work for you

making my bed is a necessary part of the morning- I simply cannot go to sleep in an un-made bed

i'm almost always tucking my hair behind my ears and chewing on the inside of my cheeks

i’m addicted to BBC and full-sugar Coke

i want someone to come blow dry my hair every morning

PTO Fundraising

So I absolutely hate fundraisers. I hate asking people for money. Stupid thin wrapping paper, overpriced cookie dough, magazines I don't have time to read- hate it all.

My view on fundraising is this: School, if you need money, just add $5 to our weekly fees, and we'll hardly notice it. You'll have your money, and we won't have to do any ridiculous fundraising.

But see this fabulous piece of 3X3 art pictured in the middle above? That was painted by my super-talented kiddos, and purchased by the Sashas for the bargain price of $65. It's going to look fab in our playroom!

Our director came up with this idea last year, and we raised a whopping $3500! We are on track to do the same this year.

Here's how it works: parents and staff make the canvases, keeping the cost down. Frames are built with scrap wood and canvas is stretched on the frame and stapled on. Paint is slopped on to give it a base color. Then the kids go to town, creating their masterpieces.

Orders are taken from parents for "commissioned art" at these sizes and prices:

• 1' by 1': $25
• 2' by 2': $45
• 3' by 3': $65

We then have an "art show" where all the pieces are hung up at a local coffee and chocolate shop for a month. Not shown in the picture above are the little cards that will be by each picture with the title and artist of each piece.

On a specific night, parents come to admire the work of their children and there is a silent auction on some group or class pieces. The school even offers childcare for the evening and parents get to enjoy wine, cheese, and chocolate and a little social time, and open up their checkbooks.

How fun is that?