House Party

They always say, there's no such thing as getting anything free....well, I'm here to disagree!!  Do I have to put in some work...of course!  But, it's absolutely, totally worth it!  What am I talking about???  House Party of course!!  House Party is this awesome company, that partners with major companies, so that people can try out their products, and share them with others to try!  SERIOUSLY!  

Here's what you do!  First, go to the House Party website.  If you aren't a member, become one!  It's free!!  Then...sign up for parties that are "open for application".  I sign up for any party that I would be interested in...and no, that's not all of them.  They are all different...I've seen parties for Pull-ups, make up, coffee, Smirnoff, etc...  You do have to agree to abide by their rules.  Be of age (especially if it's for alcohol), have the party, not try to get multiple party packs, upload a photo from the party, etc.  When you get chosen to host a party, you need to have at least 10 email addresses ready to go!  These are the first people you will invite to your party.  Then...you sit back and wait to get your party pack!  Inside, you will find lots of freebies, for you, the host(ess), and your guests!  Then, you need to prepare for your party.  I always bake cupcakes (go figure!!).

I have applied for a LOT of parties...and unfortunately  I don't get chosen to host them all.  But, I have been chosen to host 3 parties.  The first party I got chosen for, was my very first application!  I hosted a Shutterfly party.  All my guests came over with pictures uploaded to their laptops (or Shutterfly accounts), then they got to make an 8" x 8" photo book and 10 photo cards.  The best part...it was absolutely FREE!  My next party, was a Zatarain's party.  They sent me a Zatarain's food selection, and I cooked it up for my guests.  And, my latest party is a Soda Stream party!  Yes...really!!  They sent me a Soda Stream Source machine, the co2 canister, 3 bottles, 30 sample sizes of flavors, and LOTS and LOTS of goodies to give away at the party!!  Seriously...this was at least a $150 prize pack!  And it's mine to keep after my party!  I'm having my friends/family come over to try it out this weekend.

So, what exactly are you waiting for???  Go visit House Party...and invite me to your next get together!  :)  Good luck!  

FED UP!!

I am fed up with Christians who have this "holier than thou" attitude!!!  I mean...if you don't like a Presidential candidate...don't vote for them.  But for fuck's sake...quit bashing them every time you get on facebook!!!  I get that you don't like President's Obama's choice to support Planned Parenthood...but guess what, I don't like that you think the it's okay for the government to tell me that if I want/need an abortion that I can't get one!  Hell, I can't even get pregnant!  But you know...it's a woman's right to choose!

And while I'm on the subject of your "Christian-ness"....Is being deceitful being a "good Christian"?  You chose to call Planned Parenthood to try and set up a mammogram on "schedule an imaginary mammogram day".  Sounds to me like you are not following your own words!!  When you do something that you have no intention of following through with...that is deceit!!

Now, I must say, I'm friends with a lot of Christians who are great people!  It's those people who act "holier than thou" that really make me mad!  So, if I offended you with this post...you are probably not one of my true friends!!  :)

HELLO AGAIN!!!

So...it's been awhile since I've blogged.  Our family has been extremely busy, AND....I've been working!!!  Yes, I got a job!!  I started working again at the beginning of September.  I got a job at City Hall, here in my town...and I can honestly say it's been GREAT!!  The people I work with are awesome, and they have been very welcoming!  And...I get to work with adults and interact with adults all day....which makes this girl VERY HAPPY!!  :)  
Football season has kept Richie busy every single day, dance has kept Ali busy, I still bake when people need their sugary sweets, and we seem to always be on the go!  I haven't forgot about my blog, but I haven't had a lot of spare time.  I hope that everyone is enjoying fall!   

Differing beliefs

I have to say.... I really HATE (yes, I said hate) living in a small town!!!  I feel like I have to tip toe around and be sensitive to everyone else's feelings and beliefs...but I don't get to express mine!!  Do I knock what you believe??  NO, it's your freedom!!  It is also my freedom to not believe in the same thing!  But...my problem is when you try to knock what I believe!  I don't push my beliefs on you!!  WHY IS IT OK FOR YOU TO PUSH YOURS ON ME??????  I get SO sick of it!!  

I feel like I can't express what I believe on Facebook for fear of public persecution is this po-dunk town that I live in!!  I fear that my husband would lose his job...or worse, that someone would mistreat my daughter because of my comments!  


But it goes beyond religious beliefs...it extends to political beliefs!!  If I were to comment that I think a person of a different party "than popular where I live", I would be ripped down!  This is another of my freedoms that I am "afraid" to express!!  


The thing is...I'm a good person!  I don't treat others bad, I don't steal, lie, or anything else!  I enjoy spending time with my friends!  Guess what...most of my friends have different beliefs than me!  AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW IT!  You know why....because I don't push my beliefs on ANYONE!  I keep them to myself!!  It is however...what I believe!  I'm the one who has to own it...not you!  SO please don't tell me "how to live"!  

I've been so close to just unleashing on Facebook more than once!     So, I guess I thought writing in my blog would be the next best thing...  Hopefully I'm not "hung" on the town square later today.  If I show up missing...this just might be why!  :)  

Summer

Summer is a very crazy time of year!!  Ali is dancing 2 days a week and playing softball 2 days a week.  Doesn't leave much down time at all....but she's having fun, and that's all that matters!!  


Still jobless....still looking!!  :(  I keep trying to think positive, but it's SO hard to be positive when nothing is going my way!  It's hard to believe it's been over a year since I had a job...  I have more interviews scheduled, and I have more applications out, than I have had in my whole life combined.  Nothing worse than rejection...
The positive in it...is that I am home with Richie and Ali right now!!  I know that I will wish I was there with them when I find a job.  :)  


Ali is gearing up for her first ever overnight camp!  I am going to miss her very, very much!!!  I'm glad that she's so excited...just feeling sorry for myself!  haha!!!  I definitely hope she has as much fun as she thinks she is going to!!  


Not sure if anyone reads these anymore...but, thanks if you do!  Sometimes it's my only place to vent!  :)  HAPPY SUMMER TO ALL!!!!  

My New Car!!!!!

After searching the internet day after day....not only for jobs, but for cars too...I came across this beauty on Craigslist.  I am the proud new owner of a 2007 Toyota Camry!!!  Definitely a totally different ride than my Tahoe was...but it is still great!  I went and picked it up this past Monday...and I finally feel like I have a bit of freedom again.  :)
On the job front...I had another interview this morning!!  I'm hopeful...but don't want to be disappointed!  :)  I applied for a ton (at least 10...and I'm not kidding) of jobs yesterday too!  I am very hopeful that something will turn up and work out for me!!

Stress!!!

Stress and anxiety have been the biggest part of my last weekend!!!  I tried to trade in my car...and the dealership didn't even want to pay it off...hahaha!!!  So...I listed my car on Craigslist...and low and behold it sold!!  Then we listed our utility trailer...because we obviously had no use for it without the Tahoe!  Then...it sold too!!  Now...I'm carless!!  :(  But...I'm ALSO car payment FREE (for now!).  I still have a bit of anxiety, but I'm sure I will overcome it!  Thankfully my parents are awesome and are letting me borrow their van (UGH!) for the time being!!  I love my parents!!  

Good bye my lovely Tahoe

Obviously life doesn't always go as planned.... I would have never thought I would be unemployed and unable to find a job!  In 2010 I bought my dream car....loaded to the brim.  Here it is 16 months later, and I'm going to have to part ways with my beauty!  I'm hoping that I can get into a low mileage car that gets good gas mileage....but it also MUST be cute!!  I didn't work this hard to end up with a junker!  ;)  

I was writing this post to try and help me feel a little better about having to trade in my car, but so far it isn't working.
Here is picture of my lovely Tahoe...This way I can always look back and remember that I can have what I want again...I just have to find a job first!

  

The Job Search

Who knew that finding a job would be so time consuming and frustrating...  As a teenager I applied for a job and I got it.  A simple  interview and I would be hired.  Now...I apply, and apply, and apply some more...without so much as an interview.  When I finally get that elusive interview...I never get a return call.  
This morning I was awaken to a call for an interview.  I'm excited, but hesitant.  All I can come up with are excuses:  Maybe I just won't have what it takes.  I'm probably not going to be the best fit for the job.  It's excuse after excuse now....  I need to nail this interview.  I want them to want me!!  
So...I took to the internet.  Searching for ways to "nail a job interview."  All very basic things that I already knew.  Dress conservative, maintain eye contact, take copies of your resume/cover letter, ask questions, be yourself...  It all seems so simple!!  So what am I doing wrong??  
My goal...land the job!!  Then...succeed at the job!!  I want nothing more than to be successful and provide for my family!  
Please wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed for me!!  I have a week to prep for this interview!  :)

Couponing

I never knew that couponing would be so fun!!  I was so excited to be saving a large chunk of money!  Today was my first MAJOR coupon outing…I came home with 9 boxes of General Mills cereals (Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, and Reese’s Puffs), 3 Dawn dish soaps, 2 Head & Shoulders shampoos and 2 H&S conditioners, 2 boxes Playtex tampons, 6 can Hunt’s tomato sauce, and a stock of Brach’s Mellowcreme pumpkins (frozen for next year!!).  We only spent $44 and SAVED $92!  This was a huge deal for me, especially since we are on such a tight budget!  I just wished that I lived closer to a Walgreen’s so that I could do this more often! 

I’m now thinking that I need to attend a coupon class so that I can get better and figure out how to watch for the best specials and how to save even more money!!!