Merlot

Today my 13 year old Golden retriever went to heaven. She was the best dog anyone could ask for! We are all very sad, but we know she is happy and free of any pain!

Come One, Come All....

Please check out my Facebook "Fan" page over there ----->

xoxo

Friends...

I miss sharing my thoughts with everyone (no one?) so I thought I'd give it a try again... please stop by and say Hi! :)


L.F- I am SO excited to see you. Thanks for being such a good friend, despite the miles between us. You are my "Anyways" Friend.

B.R- We need to do girls nights out more often, you reminded me WHY I love you so much- I had a blast!!

S.D- Thanks for being my longest best friend. I will always cherish our memories!!

T.C- You will always be the one who can make me laugh, and pee my pants. Even though that may sound cheesy, it means a lot to me!!!

K.S- I don't think you read my blog, but I will always love you no matter what!

L.H- We have had soooo many good times together- I will NEVER forget them, ever. Thanks for being a part of my happy memories.

B.K- College was one of the best times in my life, and there is not one memory without YOU in them. Thanks for all that you did!!!

it's been a while...

So I figured I would write a little. :) It is a hot day in So. Cal. but it's kinda a nice farewell to Summer. There are fires on Camp Pendleton, and I think LA is on fire a bit too. So sad.  

Today I got my hair done for FREE at a super awesome Spa/Salon in Encinitas. An old high school friend is an intern there and he asked if I would be his "model". I have to be honest- it was the best hair cut and blow dry I have ever had! The spa itself was by far the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was very tranquil. They had an outdoor hair washing station, a private Yurt for massages and treatments, a palapa to sit under for when your color is processing..... and not to mention, the most beautiful, luscious garden I have ever seen! I got a relaxing treatment on my scalp complete with aromatic oils, and a wonderful neck head and massage. I just can't say enough good things about this place, or Ted, the new stylist there.  Be sure to check it out if you get a chance! Here is the link: LemonGrass

In other news, Tommy is on his last leg of Paramedic School. He has just about 2 months to go! We are so proud of him and how hard he has been working to complete all the necessary certifications and required volunteer time requirements. He really truly is our Hero! 

Paisley starts school on the 14th of September. It can't come soon enough. :) (that's all I need to say about that!)

Overall, life is pretty good these days. As long as there is a pool near with this hot weather, I am one happy Mama! :)

Golden Goddess

10 days and it is my Golden Birthday!!!

Paisley

HI. How are you? Things are good here..... we are just getting ready for Paisley to turn the big 4! For some reason this year, it really hit me. The past 3 years, I just knew she was getting another year older, but she was still my baby. That is gone now. :(  I feel like we are more like buddies now. We have great conversations, we get along great.... it's so fun!  You see, Tommy started work on Thursday and he has been in and out of the hospital (Volunteer time)  on his off days.  He comes home Mon. night, and normally I am standing at the front door with one eye twitching, ready for him to take over, but this time has been different!   I kept us busy while he was gone. We went to the Zoo, went Horseback Riding, went to the beach, had dinner out, had breakfast in bed, and even went to Seaport Village in San Diego. Every day she has been such a good girl, and so easy going. 

I wasn't feeling well on some of those days, and Paisley took such good care of me. She would fill up my water bottles when they were low. She would do all her chores without me asking!!! I mean- she was ON POINT!  I think this is one of the things I am gong to enjoy about her getting older. She is very excited to do things, and help me out. Paisley is such a happy little girl, and so eager to make me happy. Of course, there are times where we are "off" but it never fails after a snack, or a nap.... she is back on point! Gosh I love this little girl!!!

Video Clip

Paisley is still in gymnastics- we are taking a small break while she is in VBS. But isn't this sucj a cute video. This was during open gym one day.... Paisley loves Free Play! 

I'm being Honest Here.....

....I'm falling in Love with Walmart! 

Targét still rocks the house on home decor, and clothes, but you can't beat Wally's food prices!!!

We just got back from my weekly trip to Super Walmart and it is lookin' good!!! There was even more stuff on the shelf, and it looks AMAZING!!! The people were very friendly (much to my surprise!) and I was actually smiling while I was there. I know!!! AMAZING!!!

While looking for a better juice option for Paisley, I stumbled upon a drink called "Honest Kids" it is USDA Organic, and they come in recyclable pouches (like Capri Suns, minus about 25 grams of sugar!) There is no High Fructose Corn Syrup and it has a full day's of vitamin C in them. We got the "Berry Berry Good Lemonade" and I am excited for Paisley to try it out! Oh- and it was only $3.98 making each pouch only $0.50! Yay! ;) HERE is the website!!! 

Saving Money Challenge!

OK- so I know it is Tuesday, and I really wanted to start this personal challenge on Monday, but we can just start a day late! :) What I want to do, is challenge ourselves to see in how many ways in our life we can save money.  Whether it be by shopping at a different grocery store or by shopping online, (most grocery stores waive the delivery fee if you spend a certain amount!) there are so many ways to save money.  I am SO on that Savings Train, and I want to challenge all you- my friends, to do the same! We may be dorks.... but at leas we'll have more money!!! :)

Here are some fun ways to save money!

1. Recycle, and cash it in.

2. Save your change in a change jar.

3. Cut Coupons

4. Price check at various stores

5. Write down everything you buy in one day, you'll be surprised!

6. Cook at home

7. Drive in a line (ie: plan out where you need to go in the day=saves gas)

8. Get rid of a home phone, and up your cell bill by only a few dollars! It works!

9. Pay off credit card bills faster, gets rid of high interest. 

10.  Go to the beach/park more often, and pack a lunch.

11. TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!!!!! (unplug too- it WILL save electricity!)

12. Only run the dishwasher/Laundry when it is a FULL load.

13. Pay the $8 to get your car washed. It uses less water and it is treated b4 it goes in the ocean where when at home, it goes straight into the ocean and uses almost 3x as much water!

14. Drink at home- not bars!

15. Make a shopping list, and ONLY buy what is on it.

** These are just a few ways to save money..... what do you do to save???

Overheard Playground Talk

SO- I wanna tell you about my personal challenge, that I want you all to take part in. But first- I have to talk about my observations today at the park!

There were two little girls at the park playing together. They must have know each other from previous play dates, b/s there Mom's were sitting on a blanket together chatting away. (no where near the playground either!) The easiest way to refer to each little girl is by the color shirts they were wearing, one in green, and one in yellow. Here are the conversations I over heard.

Green: Can I be your Best Friend?

Yellow: Ummm... I don't know.

Green: Why? Puhleeeease!!!

Yellow: Ummm....No, because you don't do what I tell you to do.

Green: SUPER sad, and sits down.

Yellow: Trots away happily.

I don't understand little girls. Why do they have to ASK to be best friends? Shouldn't they just BE friends??? UGH! 

Then, after I over heard that conversation, Paisley was off playing tag with some older kids, and they two girls (yellow and green) sat down (near me) and played with Paisley's sand toys. Paisley had already asked them if they wanted to sit and play with her- but the "yellow" said "NO!" and ran off. (do you see a trend?)  This is what happened next:

Yellow: Let's play with these toys. They are mine.

Green: They are??? Ok!

Yellow:  I am going to dig a hole.

Green: Okay, so am I

Yellow: NO you are NOT!! (takes sand toys away from green!)

*Paisley walks over now

Paisley: Hi! If you guys want to play with my sand toys, you need to share! (Atta girl!!!)

Yellow: No I don't, these are MY toys.

Paisley walks over to me and is sad. I tell her to go back and tell them that they are her toys and she is sharing. She does.

Yellow:  Gets up and attempts to walk away with Paisley's buckets and shovels.

Yellow: Come on Green, this girl is mean! 

ME!!!: Excuse me girls- if you want to play, these toys stay right here. These are her toys and she is sharing with you!

The two girls walked away toyless, and Yellow looked back at me and said "I don't like them!" 

This is the one thing I can not stand about some little girls. I know it is most likely from the lack of parenting and Paisley WILL NOT , EVER be like this to anyone else. I expect her to be nicer, and kinder to other people. I started talking with some other mom about these two little girls, and her and I both agreed that not all little girls act like this. (WHEW!) It would kill me to know that Paisley talks down to other people and that she thinks she is better. Seeing this reminds me to constantly teach my daughter about kindness and compassion. 

$UPER $AVING$..... (but I still {heart} Target!!)

**EDIT** the prices line up on my end- they are just crooked on here- yes, it bugs me! ;)

O.K. So I am soooo excited right now, I had to blog about it. It's my 4th of July resolution ;)

I did a little grocery shopping today for some of our weekly stuff and I knew that our Walmart (across the street) was getting ready to have all it's cold foods in stock. You see, it's always been the ghetto, more white trash version of a Walmart, but for the past 6 months, they have been renovating it, making it a Super Walmart!  All I have to say is- It is SUPER! I am in love. I can not wait until it is fully stocked! We have about 2 more weeks until it is finished, but I love how clean and shinny it looks!!! It makes me feel better about shopping at a Walmart! As far as the prices go- they are literally ONE DOLLAR cheaper, if not more, on EVERYTHING!! I bought some of my grocery items at Walmart- then went to Vons ( for my Organic stuff) and while I was there, I actually went and price compared the items I had just bought at Walmart. Here is the comparison:

                                         Walmart                               Vons

Sara Lee Bread                 2.48                                       4.19
Tampax Tampons            5.47                                        5.89
Jiffy PB                             1.50                                        3.50
Eggo Pancakes                2.44                                       4.39
Coke Zero                        3.99                                       5.99
Rice Krispies                   3.99                                       3.99
Special K Strawberry     3.98                                       4.99
"             " Blueberry       3.98                                       4.99

 TOTAL:                        $26.83                                  $37.93          $$$11.10 in SAVINGS!!!!!!!!!!!

Those are just the things I bought this week- so I could compare, next week will be a bigger shopping trip, and I will price check again!!! I am so addicted to this saving money thing, I am going to start a Personal Challenge tomorrow. Come back and read what it is tomorrow!!!! :)

Hidy Ho!

Hey everyone.... sorry I've been MIA lately!!! I have been spending a tremendous amount LESS, time on the computer!!! I am here, alive and well. Just busy!!! Should I keep this up and running??? Drop me a comment if you want me to keep it up..... even if it is occasional drive by's! ;)

I decided to post this one out of them many readings I read a day, b/c I felt tlike it could touch a few peoples heart right now.... you know who you all are! ;)

" You must be happy now to bring happiness into your life through the law of attraction. It's a simple formula. Happiness attracts happiness. Yet people use so many excuses as to why they can't be happy. They use excuses of debt, excuses of health, excuses of relationships, and excuses of all sorts of things as to why they can't use this simple formula. But the formula is the law.

No matter what the excuse, unless you begin to feel happy despite it, you cannot attract happiness. The law of attraction is saying to you, "Be happy now, and as long as you keep doing that, I will give you unlimited happiness." "

Dear Santa....

All I want for Christmas is for Liz and the girls to come to our LadyBug Picnic, also known as Paisley's 4th B-day party on August 15th at 10:30 in the morning. It WILL.NOT. be the same without them. Please work some magic.

Thanks,
A Queen "Bug"

"Furnt"

Is this better Liz?



:)