Funding Vacation Homes... among other things...

see the website here

How do you like the house my family purchased in the past two weeks? It's nice, isn't it? Too bad it's for the doctors and not for the family...

Seriously, I think with the four doctor visits my sister has had in the past week + the visit my mom will have tomorrow + the one Macy is going to have if she doesn't get over this cold = a new vacation home for the doctor!!

Strep, Flu, Virus, Thrush, Coughing, Hacking... it's really lovely between all the three houses. And we are all praying that Macy just has a cold and doesn't get anything more serious - like STREP! Please send up a prayer for her, too. Thanks.

So I cleaned out my car this week. I really should have taken before and after pictures because it was that bad.  I'm not sure what I have against taking my mail inside, but I found all kinds of unopened mail. Mostly junk mail.  A bottle of prescription medicine dating back to April 2012. Three more that I picked up last month.  Three jackets - one was my old letter jacket from high school (and I'm 37 now!)  A crockpot. Shoes shoes shoes. A full-sized George Foreman grill. A random large serving bowl in an everyday china pattern that involves giraffe print. My charger for the Garmin. The Garmin. Hot glue sticks. Country Dance for the Wii. A case of water. And just junk junk junk.  Now I need to vacuum. And stay a bit more organized!


I'm so excited, I've heard from both Cara Box partners for this month! The one I'm sending to and the one sending to me! I think this theme of finding things with the person's first name is going to be fun. I have a list of ideas already.


I'm also excited because I won a gift card to Whole Foods from Influenster last night! WHOO HOO!  I never win anything, but my tweets won me this!  I'm watching The Taste while tweeting like a mad woman with Influenster.  Although it's a show I might not watch initially, it's a lot of fun to join the tweeting party while watching!  And sometimes you WIN THINGS! So I'm totally psyched.  Basically, these chef contestants have been making themed dishes (last night was Seduction) and they have one spoonful of the dish to impress the judges.  Blindly the judges eat and rate - chefs go home and others move forward. Pretty cool so far.  I would love to have gotten a VoxBox last night, but maybe next time. (Check out Influenster to learn more about how this program works).

Ok, time to refocus energy on something else today...  ya'll have a good one!

{Review} Influenster Holiday VoxBox

I signed up for Influenster late in 2012 and was chosen to receive a complimentary Holiday VoxBox of goodies to checkout and review with you. So... I'm going to give very honest evals on each product.


1)  Quaker Real Medleys Cherry Pistachio Oatmeal
NOTES: I am not an oatmeal fan. However, read on.
PROS:  Take only 45 - 60 seconds in the microwave. Just add water and zap. Love the handy bowl, making this easy to eat at work. Tastes really good. I have since went out and bough 8 more, picking up all flavors (Summer Berry, Peach Almond, and Apple Walnut).  All have tasted great. I did add a little more water and zap a bit longer. But it keeps me full for HOURS and tastes really good!  In my grocery store for $1.79, which is cheaper than my usual McDonald's run and healthier, too!
Cons:  I haven't found any. It took me a few tries to get the water where I wanted it, but seriously, I love this stuff.
BOTTOM LINE: I'm buying more and gobbling it up!

2)  Goody QuickStyle Brush
NOTES: I am not a hair diva.
PROS:  I really think this brush reduces the dry-time for my hair! I have super thick hair and I feel this shortened my time frying my head with a blow dryer! Awesome! The blue you see at the left are microfiber bristles that absorb water from your hair as you brush it. I feel the wide-spaced normal bristles also allow more air to circulate, speeding up the drying time, too. The microfiber bristles fluffed back up well with just a tap to the back of the brush.
CONS: This brush is large and I found it difficult to style my hair like normal with it.  I wanted to curl it under but my hair is too short with this large of a brush. After visiting their website, I see they have a smaller half-round brush that I believe would work better for me.
BOTTOM LINE:  I'm actually considering spending the $11+ on the smaller brush because I do find it beneficial!

3)  NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine 
NOTES:  Gave this to my sister after trying it myself. Too sticky for me! This is more her style, she loves lip gloss.
PROS:  According to sister, easy to put on. And I have to agree. The color was beautiful in the tube - I was very excited when I first saw it because I thought it was lipstick and I was gaga for the color!
CONS:  According to sister, the color wasn't there once you applied (and I totally agree).  And it disappeared too quickly.  I say too sticky, but she didn't mind that part.
BOTTOM LINE: While we appreciate the opportunity to try it, we wouldn't buy it again.

4)  Kiss Nail Dress
NOTES: Gave this to my 10-year-old niece
PROS:  So easy the 10-year-old could figure it out and do it all by herself. Even with her bitten-off fingernails, they seemed to stick well.  Seven days later, when I took this picture, they were holding up pretty good (considering she wasn't going easy on them, if you know what I mean!)
CONS: Just not my style. But she loved them. I could have wrapped them up as a present and she would have adored it!
BOTTOM LINE: I won't buy but not because of any problem with the product, just personal preference.

5)  EBOOST - flavor, Pink Lemonade
PROS:  Maybe the convenient small carry-sized pouch. I was excited at the thoughts of getting an energy boost from it.
CONS:  I love pink lemonade and I use several types of drink additives but I didn't enjoy this. The bubbling water made a froth on top and the taste wasn't enjoyable. I will admit to eating a chocolate kiss just before drinking and thought maybe that was the problem. However, I usually do have food with drink, so I need the two to "get along."
BOTTOM LINE:  Not purchasing again.


6)  Coupon to SoleSociety.com
NOTES: I'm totally not a shoe diva.
I did go online and check out their shoes.  I think it was so nice of them to include $25 off!!! I never wear fancy shoes, though, so I'll stick to my YellowBox flip flops and whatever "warm" shoes I can find in the winter. :)

If you think you'd like to join Influenster, just drop me a line and let me know. I'd be glad to send you an invite.  I've enjoyed posting reviews of products I already know about, answering questions online and receiving this first box in the mail.  :)

Random Goodness

I'm bubbling over with good things, so much to be giddy over! First, I've made my very first sale to a perfect stranger on Pressed Clovers! I'm so touched and honored she chose me for her little boy's Santa memories. :) It tickles me pink to be part of her cherished memories! (I'm squealing with excitement!)

Second, I was chosen to be part of Influenster's Holiday Voxbox, which came this weekend. I'll be sharing my review with you very soon...I'm impressed! And all giggly about receiving my first box to review from them.

Third, Macy visited Santa and let me just say, she is the most adorable child. Ever. Look at these two pictures and admit you've never seen anything so adorable.






I know, she is so stinkin' cute. A happy social baby, she had no problem with the jolly old man holding her.

Last...I made a blackberry pound cake. I'll be flipping it over any moment. Crossing my fingers that it will turn out well. I'll let you know.

Life is good, peeps! I'm hoping the trend continues into 2013. Please remember dad's last treatment is the day after Christmas. We appreciate all prayers and good thoughts!

If I don't have a chance to write tomorrow, ya'll have a wonderful Christmas! :)

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