I'm Back [again, maybe]

Every time I come back from a long break from blogging, I almost feel the need to apologize for my absence. But life happens, so I can't really be sorry for getting caught up in the moment.

What's been happening with us for the past few months?

Well....

We bought a house.

We went on a mini vacay to Dallas [and fell in love].

I took a 16 hour road trip with a toddler and a dog, all by myself.

We got a new pup.

Adelei turned 2!

Nanny came to visit.

And finally, life is slowing down a bit. So maybe I'll finally have time to blog again...soon ;)

Why Hotels.com Isn't Always Legit

I've been using Hotels.com for several years to find the best deals on hotels when we travel. I've always been pretty pleased with the prices, but looking back, I blame that on my ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, right?

Last year, we booked our spring break hotel room through Hotels.com. We got a decent price ($101 per night), considering it was spring break, and we were staying at the beach. I didn't complain. But when we were checking in to our hotel, the front desk clerk just happened to mention that if we would have booked directly through the Hampton Inn we could have actually gotten a significantly cheaper rate. Interesting. Fast forward to present day.

We're planning a vacation to Dallas in May. I searched Hotels.com for days looking at the rates, even signing up for their 'price watch' alert. I was very disappointed in the prices and even thought we may have to postpone our trip, until my husband reminded me about last spring. Call the actual hotel, he said. And so I did. Right after I called Hotels.com to make sure that I was getting the 'lowest price possible'. They assured me that the price on their site was the cheapest rate. Add $10 per night to upgrade from two double beds to a king ($77 per night). Makes total sense, right? Pffff! I called the hotel directly. I told them exactly what I was looking for, and the dates that I needed. The price that they gave me was $19 cheaper PER NIGHT of what Hotels.com was offering, for the exact amenities I was looking for.

Hotels.com doesn't offer a military discount, according to the customer service representative that I spoke to. MOST hotels DO offer them. I've learned my lesson the hard way, and I wanted to share it with you all. Even if you don't get any additional discounts, it may be cheaper to book directly through the hotel. At the very least, it can't hurt to try.

Staying Home

In case I failed to mention, I officially quit my job last Thursday.

I have been a stay at home mom for a whole 10 days now, and I love it.

This is exactly what I wanted [for now, at least].

What I don't love? Is when people ask me what I do all day.

LIKE being a mom isn't a full time job already.

When I read THIS article that had been floating around the internet, I laughed, I sighed, and although I have only one child, I felt the "pain" of it's author.

So the next time someone asks you [as a mother] what you do all day, feel free to let them know how time consuming motherhood is.

Sometimes Cheaper Isn't Better

Saturday afternoon, we ventured to my MIL's house.
While there, she was telling me all about how her boyfriend went to this local grocery store and found such great deals. One of these great deals included a whole case of beef broth for $2.
Can you believe that? I was surprised, but agreed that that was an awesome deal seeing as I usually can't get a can of it for less than $1.
As we're leaving, she sends me home with a few cans, I thank her, and on we go.

Fast forward to today.
I get out my crock pot, and am getting out all the ingredients to make french dip sandwiches.
I don't even think twice as I open a can of the beef broth that she gave me until I notice what looks like mold on the top. I grab the top of the can that I had just pulled off....
IT EXPIRED IN MAY OF 09! I thought maybe it was just a freak accident, so I checked the other two, & both of them were expired as well.
Are you kidding me? No wonder they got 'such a good deal' on this stuff.

I immediately called my MIL to tell her & she checked her cans. All I could think of after that was 'Thank God I actually looked before I just poured it in the pot". We could have really gotten sick from this stuff. I can't believe that a grocer would feel OK with selling out of date products.

Lesson learned: If it seems to good of a deal, CHECK the expiration date.

Just another day...

Tomorrow is the big day.
Yes, I've left my baby girl a few times, but only for an hour or two at a time.
But tomorrow...
I start back to work.
I know it will be nice to get out of the house more.
And I'm definitely grateful to have a job,
but it's going to be so hard to leave this beautiful face every day.
Okay...
I realize I may be overreacting a little bit.

Frustration

Before I had Adelei, I was very adamant about breast feeding. I knew that this was the best option, and it was what I wanted to do for my child. When the time came however, she wouldn't latch on. Thankfully, our lactation consultant introduced us to the shield, and with that we actually had hope. What I didn't realize at first was that while we were in the hospital, the nursery was feeding the baby formula bottles. These bottles had fast flow nipples, which meant that she could suck down a 2 oz bottles in less than 5 minutes. Which meant that when it came time for her to work for her milk, she threw huge fits.

It took us a while, but she eventually got the idea. It wasn't easy, but it was working. Between breast feeding and pumping, I still wasn't getting quite enough so I was having to supplement with formula. I knew that people did this, and that it was still healthy, but I wanted to be able to provide for my child fully. So I spoke with my lactation consultant and she mentioned an herbal supplement that would help me DOUBLE my milk in just a few days. That made me so hopeful, we went out and bought it immediately. I started taking it 4-6 times a day and I was supposed to see results within a week.

Two weeks went by. I went from having a decent milk supply to having barely a milk supply at all. I was devastated. I didn't understand why this was happening. At first I thought maybe I wasn't eating enough. But even after I started eating more often, I wasn't seeing any changes. Again, I spoke with the lactation consultant. This time I learned that in some women, this herbal supplement can actually cause the opposite to happen. Instead of doubling the supply, it diminishes. This is what happened to me. I felt awful. Like I did this. This was something that I had full control over, and I messed it up. Unfortunately, she said that when it gets that low [basically dried up] there's pretty much nothing I could do to get it back. She did encourage me to keep trying [as long as I wanted], but after two days of trying & getting nothing, I'm just done. It took me a little while to get over it, but I've accepted it now. Some people may read this and think that I'm being so silly, but when you have your heart set on doing something it's really hard to just let it go.

I will say, that if you're ever in this kind of situation, please please please do research before hand. I wish I would have done research before I started taking the supplement and maybe I would have convinced myself that I didn't need it.

Where have I been?

I've been M.I.A. lately, but that's the life of a new mother, right?




I have been busy changing countless dirty diapers, feeding/eating, pumping, washing bottles, giving/taking baths, visiting w. friends & family, and taking pictures all along the way.
I have hardly had time to get on here, but when I finally did....
I had 160 unread blog entries. *sigh*
Needless to say, I have a lot of catching up to do. I will try, but I can't make any promises that I will get to all of them.
But first....
SLEEP!

Really People?

Sometimes I wish that people would think before they speak.
Or maybe what is annoying to some people just isn't annoying to other people.
But what is annoying to me?
That everyone AND their mama feels the need to ask me if I plan to get a job after the baby.
I'm sure they mean well [or maybe they're just being nosey?]
but I have a job. Granted it's not a salary job, at least I have income.

I don't think I should have to tell people that I've put my resume in to 3 school systems and even had an interview at one, but it seems like principals want to hire teachers with experience.
I don't think I should have to tell people that most schools, especially in Alabama, can't even afford an art program. I don't think people should tell me that 'maybe I should have gone to school to be an elementary generalist', because that's not what I wanted to do...obviously.

I don't think I'm a bad person because I want to stay home with my child, and with a part time job, I'll be able to pay my bills AND be with her most of the time.
I don't think it's anyone's business what kind of financial shape we are in, but I will say we're doing just fine!

So that's my rant for the day.
Think before you speak.
Don't try to give advice where it isn't wanted.
I'm so thankful that you all aren't like this, at least not with me. I get so tired of the busy bodies. People telling me what I should and shouldn't do, like I'm not old enough or smart enough to make my own decisions.
This is my safe haven, and I'm so lucky to have you all.

Pregnancy Blues

I think I mentioned last week about how our air conditioner at work broke.
I was under the impression that it was going to be fixed the next time I worked, but it wasn't.
I spent Tuesday and Wednesday with floor fans around me and a mist-er in front of one fan to keep myself cool.
I left Wednesday afternoon looking like Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory [only red in the face instead of blue]
I mean look, this Alabama heat is NOT a joke.
[It's times like these where I wish that I had my own pool.]
Needless to say, I'm not going to be working again for a while.
My hands were so swollen, I had to soak them in ice cold water for 30 minutes to get my wedding ring off. [yes, I've been drinking water like nobody's business. it is not helping the cause.]
In other news, my doctor told me today that I am measuring 'too big' and wants me to have an ultrasound the next time I come in to make sure that everything is okay.
It 'could be' the heat. Or not.
That doesn't much give me peace of mind for the next week until I go back.

So what are you guys doing this weekend?

Les Mis

I'm in a funk, and I really need help getting out of it.
I'm actually getting a break, I should be enjoying it.
Instead, all I can do is think about all the things that I need to get done before Adelei gets here....
I've been trying to organize her room, and it's getting so overwhelming. Yesterday I found myself just sitting in there, staring into space because I just didn't know what else to do. I mean, I have a list a mile long of things I need to do, but where to start?
So I abandoned it.
I went to watch t.v. thinking it would help me relax.
But all it did was make me feel guilty for not being productive.
So I went to clean my bedroom, mostly my computer/crafting desk.
It took me several hours because I was going through everything.
I felt like my life needed cleaning up.
I was holding on to things that I needed to get rid of for a long time, and I finally had the umph to do so.
I felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

But then today rolled around.
I have so many items on my to-do list while I actually have some free time, but here it is, almost 5 pm, and I haven't done even 1 productive thing today.
Even my husband can tell something is not quite right.

So tell me, how do you get yourself out of a funk? Or do you just let it run it's course?

This weekend...

This weekend has been very relaxing and very productive.
I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to all of you who sent me well wishes.
I am feeling MUCH better, and I have my voice about 75% back.

My husband had drill this weekend, and there were a TON of things that I've been wanting to do, but haven't had the time. So I used all this free time I had to get it all done.
First off, since I passed out before 8pm on Friday night, I had an early start Saturday. Yep, my body decided it was time to get up at 7 am. What kind of craziness is that?!
Anyway, I took advantage of it and painted my nails
while watching Letters to Juliet.
Finished up two fun little side projects for two special friends, more on that later.
Made a bunch of new headbands and started some new hair clips, too.


Speaking of headbands, all of my are on sale, 15% off.
Just use the code VDAY2011 at my shop.

Today I made 4 1/2 dozen cookies, 4 dozen mini cupcakes, framed two paintings and one print, made chunk crayons, went grocery shopping, and worked on my lesson plans/examples.

As good as this weekend was, I'm REALLY sad to see the week approaching. But with every day that passes is one day closer to my due date :):):)
Hope you all have a great week!

& now I'm exhausted.

Is anyone else annoyed with these stupid status 'games' on facebook?
First it was the message me and I'll spill my guts and talk about totally inappropriate things on my status. And now it's message me a number and I'll tell you how madly in love I am with you, since I never had the confidence to tell you before.
Seriously annoying, and therefore I am boycotting until it's over.
OR at least until I can't stand to stay away from it anymore.

Today was so simple, yet so fulfilling. Woke up to Little Miss Sunshine on t.v. and watched the entire thing in bed. While watching it, my hubby brought me breakfast [just cereal, but still, I didn't even have to ASK!] And once the movie was over, I went back asleep :)
Oh, and the reason I was woken up so early? Because the freakin PECAN man was in my yard AGAIN this morning. This time though, Aaron took care of it.

The rest of the day was spent cooking/baking. I always feel bad that I am away from Aaron 3-4 days out of the week, so I try to cook something he can eat for a few days while I'm gone. Today I made lasagna and snickerdoodles. SO good.
One of my favorite friends here at school is graduating. I'm so proud of her, so I decided to let her know by making her a red velvet cake with cream cheese icing. And my aunt's birthday is this weekend so I got all the stuff to make her double chocolate gooey butter cake.
I'm so excited about the holidays and other things that are happening right now, I just can't stand it!

For those of you who usually sign up for BMS, I am not going to host it this month. There is too much going on, I hope ya'll understand.

Random Life Update

*After almost two years of growing my hair out, I finally decided it was time to chop it all off. So that is what I did.
I'm missing my long hair already.
*Registration for Spring Semester was last week, yet I didn't register because the powers at be STILL have not told me whether I am going to be able to intern or not.
*I miss my friends.
*Aaron showed me how to hook my laptop to the T.V. using the HDMI cable, and it was so exciting to have a 37" computer monitor! haha
*BIG things are happening. More on that later.
*I miss the days when Aaron worked at the movie theater and we would get to see all the new movies BEFORE they came out...for free.
*If I never eat a piece of chicken again, it will be too soon.
*I have a feeling that the holidays this year are just going to seem like any other day.

Jumbled mess.

Have you ever had so many different things going on it was hard to remember which way is up?
That's how I feel right now. I have so many painting ideas/project ideas running around in my head. Now I have a job, which means less free time. I have so many books I want to read, but I've been struggling to keep that up because every time I sit still I think I need to work on my 'projects'. But then I have to cook dinner. At this point, I don't have enough energy/time to do ALL the things I want to/need to do in a day. It's kind of frustrating, actually.

Moving on...
I'm really excited about Halloween. I'm excited to start decorating my house for fall, and even more excited for the halloween costume party we are going to have at our house at the end of the month.

Aaron and I took Kami out to play today, and she made some new friends. There is an after school program behind our apartment complex, and they had the kids outside playing. Kami was on one side of the fence, and three little girls were on the other. They were chasing each other up and down the yard. It was SO cute, until someone told them that 'that dog is gonna jump the fence and bite you!' And then they got scared and ran away.
LIKE this adorable little face would ever bite anyone............not hard, anyway.

What have I been up to?
A new painting....
Homemade Jewelry Display...
AND a few surprises. But those will have to wait ;)

You dirty little hamster.

I've been trying to think of things ALL day to blog about. How pathetic is that?
Here is what I came up with.......NOTHING.

So here is a bunch of random stuff, instead.

After months of searching for a job, I finally gave up and got my old job back. Which means I'll be spending half of my week in my home town [an hour away], and the other half of my week here, with my husband. It isn't the most desirable situation, but I'm thankful.

Fall is finally here. I can actually feel it. I played frisbee outside with Kami and DIDN'T break a sweat. I wish it would stay this way forever.

I have been really productive lately--in a crafty kind of way. You guys will get to see it here first. But not quite yet.

Go to Sara's blog and vote on the worst car ever! Trust me, there are some funny ones on there.
While you're there enter her giveaway.

P.S. I miss hearing from all you bloggers who have fallen off the radar.

idk. my bff, jill.

|source|

Since I've had a lot of time on my hands lately, I've been painting/crafting to take up my time.
Usually I listen to music or watch t.v. so I don't have to sit in silence.
The other day I was watching iCarly [let the hating begin], and I heard someone say something along the lines of 'we're going to be best friends forever'.
I couldn't help but laugh.
It made me think back to my childhood [what can I say, I've been feeling nostalgic lately.]
I had four 'best friends' from preschool until about 10th grade of high school. At that point, we all kind of went our own way. We were still friends in high school, but not the same kind of spend the night at each others houses every weekend, make up dances to pop songs, pretend to be mermaids in the pool kind of bond that we had all those years before.
Other than the fact that one of them passed away our freshman year of college, I could count on my fingers how many times I've talked to the other three since high school graduation.
It's sad actually. I genuinely thought these girls were going to be the people I turned to through all the twists & turns that life took me on. Obviously, I met new friends, and I am more than thankful for them. Without my friends, sometimes I'm not sure how I would get by. As hard as it is to admit that friendships fade away, the fact is that the memories from them don't.
I'm grateful for all of my past & future friendships, but I am no longer naive enough to think that ALL of them last forever.

It's a new day...

And with a new day brings a fresh start.
I am not in a depressing mood today, thankfully.
I have, however, kept myself busy.
You know...
Running errands, paying bills, finishing season 3 of Gossip Girl [Chuck better not be dead], painting, cooking, trying to stay out of the heat.
Someone ordered a custom owl pillow from my etsy, and I had enough fabric left over to make another, so.....

Ta-Da!
$10+$2 s&h

Keep your eye out for some new paintings, coming soon.

This one time....

Dear Blogger Friends,

I am leaving you tomorrow to embark on the marvelous journey that is high school band camp. Please pray that I do not have a heat stroke [since we will be spending 9 hours outside 'enjoying' Alabama summer days], and also that I don't end up physically hurting anyone [because I will obviously be tired/hot & therefore irritable]. I will be in a small town, staying at a place that doesn't have cable OR internet, so if you get a call/text from me...it's probably a cry for help.
I will be back this weekend though, for much needed R&R, before another week of pure joy ;)
If you don't hear from me come Sunday, just assume I didn't make it out alive.

Sincerely,
Jamie

30 days of me::this is getting nuts

Day 27: This month, in great detail

what's happened so far:
-went on a mini vacay
-cooked, a lot
-held try outs for color guard
-sat in a boring graphic design class for 5 hours a week
-got my dog spayed
-watched tv, a lot
-got addicted to true blood
-pinched pennies like no body's business
-grieved over the break up of one of my fav bands, envy on the coast

what's going to happen:
-finish that stupid graphic design class
-teach routines to my c/g girls during band camp. oh joy
-finish season 1 of true blood [yes, i'm behind]
-read at least 1 more book in the gossip girl series. if i can get my hands on it
-try not to die from the heat

Day 28: This year, in great detail

what's happened so far:
-quit my old job
-started school
-adopted my lil kamzalina
-did lots of projects/worked my BUTT off [for school]
-spring break at Panama City Beach with friends
-studied for & ultimately passed the praxis
-got a new job
-finished the semester
-quit my 'new' job
-started my first summer semester ever
-went on mini vacay
-started my first gig as a c/g instructor

what's going to happen:
-hopefully pass my summer class
-make amazing routines so my girls will make all 1's at competition
-take a semester off, because my school is stupid
-hopefully get a second job
-finish seasons 1 & 2 of true blood. patiently wait for season 3, since we don't have HBO
-finish all books in the gossip girl series
-read all books on my 'to read' list
-lose 10 lbs
-renew my license

Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

-to be healthy & happy
-to decorate matt's new apartment. when he actually gets a new apartment
-to try a gazillion new recipes
-to get out of this financial slump we're in
-to be a better friend, in general
-to stop procrastinating so dang much
-to get an internship & blow them out of the water so I can get hired as soon as I graduate ;)
-to graduate
-to get a big girl job

30 days of me::A day in the life...

Day 25: Your day, in great detail

- woke up
- went to class
- came home
- ate lunch
- attempted to take a nap
- finished making up color guard routine
- took a shower
- went to sonic for happy hour
- went to walmart
- got my car washed
- bought a few movies at movie gallery's going out of business sale
- came home
- finished some paper work for the color guard try outs
- cooked dinner
- ate dinner
- did homework
- watched 2 episodes of True Blood
- went to bed