What to Wear?

Tonight I am attending a big cancer event, and the ever present question has raised it's ugly head:  What to wear?  Usually my girls help me out, but unfortunately, I will not have their opinions today.  I will be meeting them there, which means, I am getting ready all by myself.

This may seem all right, because for the most part, I come up with something either really cute, very nice, or acceptable.  I worry though, because of those times that come to mind where I have shown an outfit to my girls and their expression tells me it is not very cute, not good, or completely unacceptable and they are not going any where with me.

It is fun to torture and tease my girls.  I truly respect their opinion and they are so sweet to be kind in their critique, particularly if something is too "young looking".  I do not want to look like I am trying to be in high school and my kids don't want me looking like that either.  But my kids are very sensitive to not hurt my feelings which it never does, and it makes it really fun to tease them.  I put on tight leather pants and come out of the dressing room while announcing to them how much I absolutely love them!  Or a crazy low cut shirt, which shows truly nothing, and tell them this is so cute!  Their faces are one of "oh dear" and "umm" and it makes me laugh every time.

So tonight, what if I wore a Green man suit?  I'm going to have to add this to my bucket list, because these incredibly colorful suits that cover your entire head and even your face look like SO MUCH FUN.  I need to wear one and the look son their faces would be fantastic, and totally worth it.

I guess I don't need to worry about what to wear now?

This is a sponsored post for Be Green Man, however, all the points and views are my own.

So Many Things To Do

It feels so far away, but then again it feels so soon, that I will be moving into my new quarters.  I am excited to be with family and to have my grandchildren so close.  And I am nervous over all of the things I need to do to make it all happen.  And happen it will!

My first order of business is getting window well covers over two of the basement windows.  I certainly do not want me grandchildren visiting me via this route..... by falling into the window well.  I want to get them covered a.s.a.p. because they are beautifully new and I'd like to keep the winter out of them if I can.  And this is only the beginning.

I have dreams of a book nook where I will read and read and read to my grandchildren.  I want a butcher block in the kitchen for baking with my grandchildren.  I am putting in a little area with dark curtains for grandbabies to take a nap.  I want to create a playhouse under the stairs.  And I've even thought it might be fun to put a little slide on the side of the stairs coming down.  What fun it will be to visit Baba!

And then I need to get organized.  I might even need supplier management as I tear out images from magazines of the gadgets, decor, and other interesting things I want in my new home.  There is an adorable way to hang art work that I found with clips for each of the kids to hang their artistic treasures.  I found an activity table that has a lip all around the top so we can paint, finger paint... with pudding of course, and all other kinds of things!

So many things to do...

This is a sponsored post for Browz, however, all the points and views are my own.

Mess. Expense. And No Control.

There's something about the plumbing problems that bother me.  It has a variety of elements that I just don't like.  There is the mess.  The expense.  And most annoying is the lack of control of the situation.

I was happily sewing Halloween costumes for my granddaughters and working in the kitchen.  I have my sewing machine on the kitchen table, the ironing board up, and the T.V. on.  Just a nice night at home working on something for people I love.  As I walked from the kitchen table over to the ironing board I stepped into a large puddle of water.  I was the only one home, and I didn't have a huge cup of water sitting around that could of spilled.  I first thought that maybe my iron was leaking?  Stupid, I know.  After soaking up the water, I followed the trail to under the kitchen sink.  Ugh.  What a mess!  Everything was soaking wet.

The expense inevitable happens from the minute you call the plumber because let's face it, you have to have a plumber.  Leaking pipes, clogged drains should not be left to the 51 year old woman who knows nothing about this things and really doesn't care to.  You pay for the plumber to come out, but then you pay for the evaluation of the problem.  In this case, a leaking garbage disposal.  Purchase.  A new garbage disposal.

But the most frustrating thing about all this is the utter lack of control.  The not knowing where or when this can happen.  And when it is happening, you have not control of it.  I had the dishwasher going and when the water was draining out of the dishwasher during it's cycle, this is when the water leaked out of the disposal.  How many times do we turn on the dishwasher as we walk out the door?  No control.

This is a sponsored post for Rotorooter, however, all the points and views are my own.

I'd Like to Say

Email marketing seems like an intrusion to your private life, and I'd like to say that I am above it all.  I'd like to say that it is ridiculous to assume that just because there's an email, a midst all my other email, from some company, that I will immediately desire to visit their site and make a purchase.  I'd like to say that it would be absurd to think that cute companies like mad mimi email marketing, who make a living on email marketing could stay in business.  I'd really like to say that it wouldn't work on me, but I can't.  It totally works!

There are countless examples I could share, but let me share the one that continues to be a problem.  And I say continues because I not only succumbed to the first email, but I cave with each and every email.  Literally, and I mean, quite literally, every time See's Candies sends me an email it results in a purchase.  It's not always an online purchase which you would think shows a great deal of restraint on my part.  Oh no... it most commonly results in my leaving my home, driving 20 minutes north, to get my free sample and make a purchase of the delicious candies.

The See's is located just inside the north west door, so needless to say, I could not tell you what other stores occupy this mall.  See's is my first and last stop.  I'd also like to say that my purchase lasts for several days, so if I were to receive an email for example, the following day, I would have candy at my disposal and not need to drive back.  I'd like to say that, but honestly, my purchase is gone before I get home.  It doesn't matter if I purchase eight pieces, or a pound box.  It will be gone before I get home.

So you see... I'd like to say email marketing doesn't work on me... yeah... I'd like to say.

This is a sponsored post for Mad Mimi, however, all the points and views are my own.

Hard Work

It's always good when you can instill in your children a strong work ethic.  I am grateful that my sons learned this, big time, this past summer.

My oldest son got a job through a friend.  He worked landscaping... all... summer... long.  It didn't matter how early they started, the sun was inevitable and the scorching heat along with it.  He literally, sweat off at least 15 pounds.  And he became so dark, there is not a person out there who would have believed he was my son.  I'm talking tan.  He didn't look like he belonged in Utah.  He had a California tan like he had been working for an Orange County Landscaping company.  He came home filthy, exhausted, and starving... the true sign of a days hard work.

My youngest son got a job through a temp service.  He worked for a steel company.  He lifted heavy highway road railings made of steel, hooking them on a belt above him.  The belt lowered the steel into acid, brought it up for my son to remove and hook to the next belt to be dipped into another solution.  My son had to go through a tremendous amount of safety glasses, wear goggle, steel toe boots, gloves, and shin/ankle guards.  He worked a 12 hours shift from 4AM to 4PM for 6 days a week.  He made good money.  He came home disgusting, with acid burned clothing, scraps and bruises, and filth all over him except wear his goggles protected his eyes.

My boys worked hard and I am proud of them.  They needed money for their next year of college and they worked hard getting it.  It also does me good to know that both of their employers told them they could come back next summer.  I think they both feel pretty good about themselves too.

Hard work.  It does everybody good.

This is a sponsored post for Southland Landscaping Company, however, all the points and views are my own.

Sure... No Problem

When my kids graduate from high school, I give them the option of either going on a one on one private trip with me, or cold hard cash towards college, or a car.  So far, I have had two opt for the trip.  The oldest wanted to see New York.  It was a fabulous trip and she has never returned.  She loved it from the minute we arrived and never looked back.  The other, also a daughter, chose to travel to Mexico.  Cancun to be specific.  It was amazing, but fortunately, she did not have the desire to return and live there.  Now my youngest daughter has chosen the trip.

We are going to southern California!  She said she wants to be treated like a kid one more time before she has to be an adult.  As such, Disneyland is our first stop.  When she was five, she stayed in the Disneyland Hotel with Grandma and Grandpa and was spoiled unmercifully.  I have booked us there as well, hoping to bring back those incredibly fun, childlike, memories.  After Disneyland, we will head to an area that will fill her with awe.

Her intense interest in theatre will bring us up to Hollywood for four days.  She wants to see everything Hollywood.  Grauman's Chinese Theatre.  The Hollywood Walk of Fame.  And all things Marilyn Monroe.  I"m hoping to book a hotel I know of where Marilyn actually stayed.  And then she did live in the area but only owned one home, in Brentwood.  I can see it now:  brentwood homes for sale and my daughter is going to want to purchase Marilyn's home!

Sure... no problem.

This is a sponsored post for the Partners Trust, however, all the points and views are my own.

Help w/ The Short Sale

When you can not actually sell your home for an amount to cover your mortgage obligations and closing costs, and you also do not have the money/assets to cover the amount you are short, your home would be a candidate for what's called a "short sale".

A short sale is not as harmful to your credit as a foreclosure, so ultimately, when you are back on your feet financially, you would be able to purchase a home in a shorter amount of time following a short sale.  The basics of the short sale are not so difficult, but if you find yourself on either the selling or purchasing side of a short sale, the benefits of an attorney are immeasurable.

You will need an attorney who specializes in with homeowners in financial trouble.  Let's face it, unless you are in this area of expertise, knowledge of short sales and foreclosure are limited.  Short sales require a person who is well versed in the market to be able to see all your options and opportunities available, and guide you through these process.

It's never easy to let go of your house.  It is your home, and home should be a place of comfort and happiness.  If you find yourself not relaxed, not comfortable due to financial strains, a short sale might be the option for you.

This is a sponsored post for Schwartz Law Firm, however, all the points and views are my own.