A Day in the Life of ME...A SAHM's Daily Routine and a Home Tour!

So as promised, I finally got to work making some You Tube videos for you! I didn't really know what to start off with, so in PUT IT ALL OUT THERE FASHION as I tend to do, I decided to let you see me first thing in the morning, see my house (apartment), my messes, my unpacked boxes (2 months later), my laundry, and you get to see my heart a little as well...oh, and you get to see me right out of the shower looking truly unbelievable...and not in a good way (i.e. red, blotchy skin, hair in a towel, etc.).

But this is me ya'll. If you know me, you know I don't hold back and I keep it REAL!

But really, is there any other way to be?

So there are 9 (yes, count them, 9) videos in all that cover my day and routines (or lack thereof) from waking up to going to bed. I will share one of them here for you, but if you'd like to see the rest, visit my You Tube channel here....
Please like and subscribe to my You Tube channel...it would mean so much!!! :)

Enjoy....

Working With Your Strengths and Doing Something a Little Different

I have been praying a lot about what God wants me to do in this new season of my life. When you move, whether you like it or not, you are thrown into a sort of "defacto" new season. I think when my daughter goes to school in the fall, that will be an even NEWER season, but that's still a few months away. So, in a new season I am, and I'm wondering what in the world I can do with my life right now that is meaningful to me and the Kingdom (and yes, being a wife and a mom is meaningful, but God is calling me to do other things right now too).

For a while there (several weeks) I was looking at what I didn't have (i.e. a car, lots of extra cash, etc.) and what I couldn't do, but lately I've been praying about what I CAN do. And again, I'm lead to the internet.

I have been a little concerned with having a large presence online, especially for my daughter. So many people have access to personal pictures of my family, my personal thoughts, and a lot of my personal information (where I live, etc.). But when it all comes down to it, I set it up that way, so I can't complain about it. The world is the way it is (pretty evil) and other than remove myself from the web completely and pray, there's really not much I can do but be careful and watchful.

So after serious contemplation and prayer about whether or not to get offline completely, I have decided against it. The world needs Christians online. There's so much garbage on the internet...it makes my stomach turn to know some of the things you can do and see online, but as Christians, I believe we can counter it! We can pray and we can share THE WORD of GOD and the HOPE in JESUS CHRIST! So, I'm here to stay, but now, I'm EXPANDING!!!!!

As I have prayed, I've asked the Lord to show me where my strengths lie and how I can use them for Him and as a blessing to the Body.

Here's what I'm NOT going to do....

I'm not going to focus on how to keep a tidy house and offer organizational tips, because, that ain't my gift ya'll! ha!

I'm not going to blog about how to manage your finances and live a frugal life...not my strength either.

I'm not going to make this a "foodie" blog, although I may post recipes sometimes, because I enjoy cooking, but it's not my passion.

And while I may post encouragements on exercise and eating right (because I'm working on that myself right now), I'm not going to school you in those areas. Again, not my strength (for now).

But here is what I AM going to do...

I am going to offer to pray for you (look for a link to the right to post prayer requests).

I am going to be an encouragement to you.

I am going to start making videos (something new for me) that offer my insights on the Bible and living the Christian life and whatever else I decide to talk about.

I am going to write posts that speak honestly and openly about my struggles as well as my victories.

And I am going to sing!!!! If not for anyone else, as a praise to Jesus!

So, instead of focusing on what I DON'T have to be able to minister to people, I'm choosing to focus on what I DO have, which is the internet, and I'm gonna work the heck out of it for the Kingdom of God! ha!

Stay tuned!!!! And if you have prayer requests, please leave them in the comment section below, or email me... angieacapella@gmail.com

Blessings to you all!!!!

Rockin' the Red and Enjoying Autumn Fun

Today started out on a bad note...

So, I decided to perk up my mood.

Some ladies love a dangly earring, some love a great hairdo or a spritz of their favorite perfume.

But If you read this blog, you know that nothin' makes me happier than rockin' a punchy red lip! 

And it worked...

Red is definitely my color. 

It perked my mood right up!

And then I got silly...

Crazy eyes!

Scary smooch!

Which then put me int the mood to play around in the leaves with little G.

she calls this her "big smile..."

...and this is her "little smile..."

We chased each other around our neighbor's oak tree and had a ball 

throwing mounds of leaves on each other.

Such a great day!

This is what the fall is all about....

FOR LADIES ONLY!!! Some Fun Valentines Day Ideas For You and Your Hubby!

A few months ago I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Jennifer Degler, a clinical psychologist, author, expert on female sexuality and life coach here locally. She spoke to my MOPS group about a topic that is seriously important to married couples, but is hardly ever addressed in the Christian community...and that is SEX!

Jennifer Degler, Ph.D.

I'm not sure why it's not talked about more. Do pastors and leaders not think married couples do it? I mean, duh...we all do it! And if we're not doing it, I would say that's something that needs to be addressed. Because a healthy sex life in marriage is important. Again I say, "DUH!" (haha).

I loved the way she approached the subject...Biblically, clinically, professionally, tastefully but with humor and a whole lot of straight talk! I learned a lot actually (she even had diagrams...eek!). I won't go into that here, but there were some things I did not know about the female body. And that was one of her points. That there are A LOT of women who DON'T know a lot about their own bodies (and are afraid to ask or don't know what to ask) and therefore don't even know how to enjoy sex. So sad. It's 2011 for heavens sake!



I'm doing this post for Valentines Day a little early because I wanted to let ya'll in on some fun that you can maybe try in the next couple of weeks! I receive Dr. Degler's "Dare of the Month" from her website, "CWIVES" (Christian Wives). The dares are "suggestions" or "ideas" for married couples who want to spice up their marriages. Her Valentines dare is so fun. I'm not going to give it away because I want all of you to sign up to receive them too! (You can also follow her on facebook, HERE.)

And don't feel like you have to report back or let me know how it went...that would be a little TMI! (haha)
But HAVE FUN!

The Simple Things...

This is one of my very favorite songs and lessons. Its pretty little melody makes me smile...

To listen to Simple Gifts from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copeland, go HERE.

"Simple Gifts"

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight
'Till by turning, turning we come round right.


A simple paper hat. She played with it for hours!

Salad and Water

ARE DIVINE!

There's nothing yummier (especially when you're in the mood for it) than a big plate of salad and a big glass of ice water to wash it down.

I've always loved salad, even as a kid, but don't eat it nearly enough. I have one of those weird memories...you know, the kind that sticks with you throughout all eternity for one reason or another? Anyway, many years ago I saw an interview with Jennifer Aniston when she was right in the thick of her "Friends" fame. She was saying that she was a creature of habit and that her routine never varies much. She said that during the filming of "Friends," she had eaten the same Cobb Salad every single day for like 5 years! She said some days she may vary it and tell them to add cucumber, or no bacon today or whatever, but yeah...the same salad everyday. She said something to the effect of, when she found something that worked for her, she usually just stuck with it. I believe she's a famous, "low or no-carb" kinda girl, so I can see why she would say a Cobb Salad works...except for the veg, there's hardly any carbs in it at all. And it's a really satisfying meal.

I don't think I could eat a Cobb Salad every day, but I do enjoy it and made one for myself tonight, minus the avocado and chicken.

Mine had iceberg lettuce, tomato, cucumber, boiled egg, crumbled bacon, salt, pepper and blue cheese dressing.

Now, I'm going to have a slice of pizza! HA!

10 Things I Hate About Walmart

I hate going to Walmart. And here are a few reasons why...

10. The prepackaged "fresh fruit" has some sort of additive on it that renders it completely inedible! I bought fruit salad in a container the other day and there was some sort of chemical on there (I'm guessing to keep the fruit from turning brown) and it was so harsh that it burned my mouth! It wasn't lemon juice, that's for sure. But whatever it was, it made the fruit so disgusting that I couldn't even finish one chunk of melon. I threw the whole thing away, essentially throwing close to 3 bucks into the trash. Not cool.

9. They often don't have some of the grocery items I'm looking for.

8. When you need assistance, tracking someone down is nearly impossible. Why? Because you have to trek all over the gigantic store to find someone and by the time you've hauled yourself over to customer service, you forget why you even needed help in the first place.

7. None of the associates, except for the greeter at the front, even speak to you (for the most part. If you are that exceptional cashier or customer service rep. that is friendly, kudos to you...we notice!). Managers are especially unfriendly (and unavailable) in my experience.

6. The aisle (at my Walmart) that says "calendars and planners" has nothing but notebooks and Crayola paraphernalia and not one calendar or planner is to be found. In fact, I couldn't find a daily planner anywhere in the whole store!

5. Trying to dodge the plethora of people in motorized shopping carts. I'm not talking about those of you who truly need them...the handicapped, the disabled, the elderly. But in my experience, it looks like there are quite a few that do not and could actually use the exercise of walking around Walmart!

4. I hate that they now have an entire room, right by the door no less, full of those brightly colored rides and games. When I was a kid, there was like, one gum ball machine and one mechanical pony ride. Now they have whole rooms of "Chuckie Cheese-esque" rides and games? As if we didn't spend enough money on worthless crap? Now you want us to plunk quarters into those stupid machines? And the shameless part is you position it right by the door so mothers with children HAVE to pass it as they walk out. You know they just call out to little children, "Look how fun it is in here! Scream, NOW, as loud as you can, then throw yourself on the ground because you're not going to take another step until your mother agrees to bring you in here! She'll be so embarrassed, she'll do it just to shut you up! Do it NOW!!" Like I said, SHAMELESS!

3. Items are often not placed in a spot that would make sense to the customer. For instance in my Walmart (and all of these complaints are generally related to this particular Walmart) the cleaning supplies are not located in the grocery section. They are a few aisles over, where the household items are. You'd think they'd make life easier for us, the customer, by putting the cleaning supplies in an aisle that is convenient to get to while we're doing our grocery shopping. But no. Again, we're not fooled by the shameless ploy to lure us over into another section of the store to entice us to buy something over there.

2. It's too big!

1. You can never leave without spending more than you intended to!

New Year, New You

Happy New Year Everyone! It's just January 2nd and already I'm feeling so hopeful for the possibilities 2011 holds!

I've heard a lot of people use the old addage, "Now I have a clean slate!" But can you really wipe the slate clean and start over? I've wondered if you really can. I mean, good or bad, so much of who you are is tied up in your past, right? What can a new year do for you anyway? Is change really possible? I'm not convinced that a new year can mean a new you. Granted, I don't believe that we should hold on to the past, I firmly believe that it does nothing but hinder us, and that we should put it away. But so many people (myself included) look to a new year to bring them a miracle. But as we all know, you don't get those very often. You have to put in the work to get your change.

What I'm more interested in is what a new day can mean for me. I mean, a day is a bite size piece, not the whole enchilada! What if we changed our thinking from the whole, "It's a new year, so I have a clean slate and can make a big change in my life," to "today is a new day, I'm going to make a change today?" I mean, that lines up with the Word, right?

"His mercies are new every morning." Lam. 3:23

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34

"This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it".
Psalm 118:24

"Jesus said, "don't be anxious for tomorrow, look at the lilies of the field, they don't toil or spin and yet even Solomon was not robed as beautifully as they."
Matthew 5:8

I can make a change more easily in a day than I can making a resolution to change for the whole year! The Bible advocates the day. Not to look to the past because no good comes from it and not looking to the future because we aren't guaranteed the future.

But we have today.

I heard Joyce Meyer the other day talking about faithfulness. She said that being faithful is simply finding out what's right, and doing it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. God says that if you can be found faithful with little, then you can be trusted with much. So why do we wait until January one to make changes? Why don't we try to be faithful for one hour or for one day? For example saying, "This hour, I'm going to stay off of facebook," if you have some kind of bad computer habit. Or, for one day, "I'm going to make the effort to put anything I touch in it's proper place," if you have a messy house. Or, for this day, "I'm going to make the time to exercise," and then you do it! If you do that over and over and over (because it's the right thing to do), then you will have made a real change in your life. But you're only choosing to do it that day, not looking to a whole year to miraculously find your change. Because I can guarantee, when December 31 rolls around, you're going to be disappointed...again.

So that's what I'm looking to do. Concentrate on today. What kind of change can I make in 24 hours versus, what can I do in 365 days? Seems like a no brainer to me!

So how 'bout we just say,
"NEW DAY, NEW ME!"

I'm Not Waiting!

How do you feel on December 26th? Do you feel relieved? Glad it's all over? Underwhelmed? Even more stressed at the new mess? Annoyed at the loud toys? Not looking forward to putting up all the Christmas stuff? Or sad that it's all over and not looking forward to the new year?

Well, on December 26, all I feel is STUFFED! I feel like if I see one more dessert, one more slice of turkey covered in gravy, one more spoonful of green bean casserole, that I'm going to puke! I've eaten cookies and sweets for weeks now and Christmas just about did me in! I'M OVER FOOD!!!

Blech!!!

So that's why I'm not waiting for January one to start eating healthy and exercising, I'm starting NOW!

I'm actually looking forward to salads
and grilled chicken and vegetables.

...and breaking a sweat!

BRING IT ON!!!

Not sure what kind of plan that I'm going to do. But as the saying goes, "If you fail to plan you plan to fail." So, I need to come up with something. All I know is the first thing I'm doing tomorrow is sorting through all the clothes that are too big for me, bagging them up and getting rid of them; Starting with my two favorite pair of jeans that are so big, I can roll down them down twice and stick both my arms down the front! It is soooo annoying wearing them because they fall down all the time, but they're my nicest two pair.

This isn't me, but this is about what I
go through everyday in my jeans!

I have other jeans that are just a smidge too tight that I can wear uncomfortably, and losing 10 pounds or so would just do the trick I think. Then, when those get too big, I'll treat myself to a new pair! That will be fun!

Isn't it strange how we hang on to clothes that don't fit? Either ones that are too small, or too big, like we're waiting for our bodies to magically fit into them? Why do we leave them hanging in our closets? Do we enjoy depressing ourselves? They don't fit, they take up room in the closet, a lot of times they're out of style and they just do nothing for us! Isn't it time that we just let them go? What are we hoping for? To stay fat? To get fatter so they'll fit? Or to magically lose weight so they'll fit? Now, I do believe in having a goal dress or holding on to that one pair of skinny jeans you look forward to wearing again. But a whole closet full? That's just sad. And hey, I'm preaching to myself here. I have clothes that are too big (as a cushion) and too small (as a pipe dream) that I hold on to, so I'm guilty as well. But my banner for the year is going to read, "Do the uncomfortable thing!" Anything that I know is right, but feels uncomfortable, I'm going to MAKE myself do! Doing the easy thing has not served me, so it's now time to turn that around and do the hard thing. Throwing out my clothes won't be easy, but it's what I must do to move forward. And forward is the only direction I am accepting this year!

On the agenda for tomorrow then? Clean out the closet, purge some old clothes and prepare for a new start.
Sounds good to me!

A Well Worn Path to My Heart...New Again!

I've seen this cartoon a million times (well at least 35). I plan my schedule around it every year. I just love its simplicity and the way it makes a point without being "preachy."

I watched it the same way I always do, knowing exactly what scene is coming up next, exactly how the characters are going to react. That comes with seeing it a million (35) times. But this year, there were some things that I caught that I had never noticed before. And the simple little cartoon, which has made a well worn path to my heart, for the first time, made me cry.

I always make sure I try to catch the opening. This is one of my favorite scenes. The kids skating whimsically to "Christmas Time Is Here."
It's just enchanting.

But my eyes and ears started to perk up when Charlie Brown was contemplating why he was so down during Christmas.

Was it just the rampant commercialism, that his own dog was participating in, that was getting him down? Why was he looking for deeper meaning? I mean, isn't that what Christmas is all about? Presents, toys, Santa, shopping, parties, busyness? There's nothing in our secular world that would suggest that we look for ANYTHING else. That IS Christmas. Right? But obviously, Charlie Brown knew that something was missing...he just couldn't put his finger on it.
I think a lot of people feel that way.

Then Charlie Brown get the chance to direct the school play,
a chagrin to many in the group.
But no one would listen to him or his direction. What were they?

Loud
Busy
Oblivious
Disconnected

They were doing their own thing. They were caught up in CHRISTMAS for crying out loud!


Then comes the fiasco with the little tree, everyone's inattention and in his frustration, Charlie Brown finally loses his cool and exclaims!
"Isn't there anyone who knows what
CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT???"

And Linus simply says,
"Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."
And he proceeds to tell the King James Bible version of the
Christmas story.
But what struck me for the first time was this...

Everyone was so busy before. But while he spoke of the "...babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger," everyone stopped. They were still and they were quiet. They listened...and they got it.

And this is where I lost it. When he walks over and says,
"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
I FINALLY GOT IT!

Those 8 words pierced my heart.
That is what Christmas is all about,
"...the Savior which is Christ the Lord!"
And that, "...Joy which shall be to all people" is the sweet spirit that came over the kids and caused them to finally want to
"Be Christmas" from their heart, instead of selfishly participating
in the hollow, empty, busy side of it all.



They all joined together and they all began to sing.

Why?

What is this spirit of goodwill and peace and joy and giving that comes over people this time of year?
Linus proclaimed it, and it is a PROMISE from God...
The angel of the Lord (His messenger) said,
"Behold, I bring you tidings of GREAT JOY which shall be to
ALL PEOPLE."

Angels don't just do or say whatever they want you know. They are created to worship and serve God Himself. So, this message came directly from Him, for the world. That Jesus, for all time, will be a GREAT JOY to ALL PEOPLE. Not just those people...ALL PEOPLE!
He is the gift. He is still the gift.
Still the JOY that can make your heart leap even when
everything around you looks grim. He is still the reason why, during this time of year, that people seem united in spirit. It's not by chance or because of "Tis the season and Ho, ho, ho."
It's because His Holy Spirit is real and you can feel it, right now!
Still! 2,000 years after the fact!

Charlie Brown was searching for something. And the Word of God gave him the answers he was looking for.
The answer was and is Jesus Christ. The baby that God sent as a gift to you and me.

He got it. I got it too.
My prayer is that YOU will also get it and let the
REAL Spirit of Christmas live inside your heart.

Many Blessings to you this season,
from my family to yours!

Sad at Christmas (my heart's desire)

Christmas season has been very joyful for me in a lot of ways. I got all my decorating done right after Thanksgiving and the house has felt so warm and festive for weeks now. I also got all my shopping done in November, minus the crowds and hustle and bustle and haven't even had to think about shopping this whole season! I've been invited to sing at several different places, which always brings joy to my heart. I participated in a fun cookie swap (made almost 20 dozen cookies!) and a big ol' CRAFT DAY with my life group, among other fun, festive things. But one aspect has made me very sad and there's not a whole lot I can do about it.

You see, there have been so many in need this year. A lot of close personal friends or family who are out of work, who are struggling just to put food on the table, who just cannot justify spending extra on gifts for their kids, have really needed me this year and I just haven't been able to help.

This weighs so heavy on my heart. You see, I am a giver. If I can't give when someone is in need, it literally breaks my heart. The reason I can't do a lot about it is because we, ourselves, are watching every penny and since I'm not the one who works a full time job or manages our finances, I can't just give away random amounts of cash (although that's exactly what I'd like to do!).

But in my opinion, being on a tight budget is no excuse for being tight fisted.

I believe when we relax and open our hands, not only are we more free to give, but are then open to receive blessing back from God.

It's a promise. Luke 6:38 says, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." That means that if you give with a teaspoon, you'll be given back a teaspoon in blessings. But if you give with a big ol' bucket, you'll be given a big ol' bucket's worth of blessing back. And while I believe a lot of that is monetary, I believe a great deal of that means that you have greater joy and peace. When you live with open hands and not clenched fists, and live with the mentality that it's not yours to begin with, it's all God's, then you experience a freedom that is unlike any other. Worry leaves you and you begin to trust your Provider to do just that...PROVIDE.

I don't worry much. I am one of those people that just trusts. It gets on a lot of people's nerves actually. But I can't find any other way that God commands us to be. He says to trust Him, so I do. He says that worry doesn't add a day to your life, so I don't. I don't see any middle ground. Am I perfect? No way! I still worry sometimes (I'm a mother after all) and sometimes I don't completely trust. But I will say that to worry about money is something I rarely do. God has proven Himself faithful too many times for me to do that!

Which brings me to why I'm sad that I can't give the way I want to this year. I haven't been trusting Him to bless my business and I haven't been working hard enough to see any of the seed that I've planted produce. I've been lazy. There...I said it. I've just been plain ol' lazy. And now, I'm seeing the consequence of that laziness.

The consequence is apparent when my small group leader calls and tells me that a member of our group has no groceries in the house and that the kids have no Christmas presents, could I give something to help, and I have to say no. Oh my gosh, that tears me up inside! It makes me sick and I feel so ashamed of myself. It's my heart's desire to be the BIGGEST giver I know and to not be able to give what I would like really hurts (although I talked to my husband and we were able to give a little to help). I want to be the one who can write a $500 check for her kids to have presents under the tree or fill up 2 big grocery carts at Kroger so that the family will have groceries in the house.

I don't just want to have a successful business so I can earn trips or a car or make a lot of money or because I want to pay off student loans or put on an addition to the house. Because it's not all about me, but it's about being used as a vessel for God to fill up and then pour out to others.

So I guess the next question is, how do a make sure I never go another Christmas feeling this helpless to, well, help?! I don't ever want to feel this way again.

I will ponder and pray on this for a few days and update you
on what ideas God gives me.

"Lord, bless me and make me a blessing!"

And although I have not been able to give the way I would like this Christmas, I did participate in our church's food and toy drive. I made up a box of nonperishable food and gave away an art set that I had bought for my daughter for Christmas. Our church had a goal to make up our city's food bank's 30,000 pound deficit. We had two weeks to bring in 30,000 pounds of food and fill a tractor trailer with toys. After the first week, it didn't seem like we would make it because there was only a couple thousand pounds brought in, but in literally the last hours of the deadline, ALL the food came in and the goal was met! It was an amazing miracle!

Check out my pastor's blog for pictures of that miracle and what
"Being Christmas" is all about!

Fake it Till Ya Make It (at the grocery store)

So some of you may have read my rant on how sick I am of eating crappy food and how I yearn to shop at Whole Foods, throwing caution to the wind as to the gynormous prices. But alas, it is still just a dream....the shopping at Whole Foods thing. It's just NOT in the budget. But I am determined to add more fruits and veggies to our diet and eat more healthfully. So I have a plan! To fake it til I make it!!! Which leads me to.......

Drum Roll......

ALDI!

My friends (that includes you blog friends) say that this store is amazing and CHEAP on things like produce and meat. Now, I'm a little nervous about having to take my own grocery bags and only being able to use cash, but I'm gonna tough it out! What I'm looking to do is stock up on staples and try to eat more meals at home. I've been looking at my bank statements and have noticed that fast food is EATING THROUGH (no pun intended) our budget! This has to stop. Also, it's not helping my "get healthy" goals either! But it's my own fault. I just never have enough groceries in the house to make quick meals for me and my daughter during the day. So what do I do...you can guess the rest!

So, I have to sacrifice my one stop shopping (Kroger), to try to save money and also get the things I want. So, that's where Aldi comes in. Now keep in mind, I've never been there before and I may hate it! But I'm going to give it a try and report back to you on how it went and if I saved any money!

Wish me luck!

Me Singing!

Here is a recent performance of me singing, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."

I'm not very good at embedding youtube video, but here's the link.

ENJOY!

They STILL Judge...

I saw this article on someone's facebook page and decided to share here...

It is amazing to me how in this day and age of tolerance for all, that stay-at-home-moms are STILL poorly and inaccurately judged. I know because I deal with this from members of my OWN FAMILY no less.

As much as they love little G, they STILL think me working to provide more money for more STUFF while she sits in a daycare all day, missing home is still somehow better. I'm seen as lazy, that I don't want to work, and that I have no responsibilities except to entertain a toddler all day. What they don't get is that it takes SO MUCH mental and physical endurance that if THEY had to do it for a week they would be climbing the walls! I mean, housework is seriously physical! All the bending, lifting, back and forth motions, constant walking, stepping up stairs, and being on your feet is a real workout! Now, I will admit that I could do better on the home front with managing cleaning, etc. but this article says it sooo well. What takes someone without children 15 minutes to do, takes me 45 minutes to do.

A perfect example would be trying to get ready for a party I was having a few weeks ago. A very informal thing, but I was having guests over and had to do a lot to prepare! Every time I cleaned something, G went right behind me and messed it back up. When I got to the point where I needed to fix the food for the party, I had to stop everything to feed her, which seems to take FOREVER! If I vacuumed, she crumbled up a cookie, if I wiped down a glass door, she just had to smear it with WHATEVER! So preparing for this little hour long party literally took me 8 or 9 hours. Before baby, I would have gotten started on it a few hours before and would have been done! But with baby, as ya'll know...it aint that easy!!!

I guess I'm on a rant because lately I've been made to feel like I'm not contributing. But I just have to keep up the good fight because my daughter and I are IMMENSELY happy and content. And when it's all said and done, that's what it's all about.

If You LIKE IT, You'll DO IT!

I don't know if I've ranted on here about my prepubescent skin issues! UGH! I swear, ever since I had a baby, my skin has reverted back to its 14 year old, zitty, oily, breakout prone self! I've been absolutely miserable dealing with it! I know a lot of it has to be hormones gone awry, but I must admit that I do not have a disciplined skin care routine. I have a pretty expensive skin care set from Arbonne, but I have never liked it, therefore I don't use it. My skin seems to be sensitive to an ingredient in it because because my skin gets really red and hot after I use it...especially the moisturizer, which is what I need most. It makes the blood rush to my face and actually makes me sweat. I hate it! I mean, what's the point of putting on moisturizer if it makes you all sweaty and makes your make-up run?
So, I admit it...I don't take care of my skin like I should.

But there is HOPE!!!

My sister works at the Clinique counter at her local department store and has given me lots of samples of their skin care line and I am LOVING IT! I have not seen a zit or had a breakout all month and am just soooo thrilled! The one thing that I don't love is that it's fragrance free, but my sis says that fragrance is the #1 irritant in skin care lines and that Clinique chooses to leave it out of their products for that reason. One thing I really love is the everyday scrub. I've needed some sort of exfoliating cream and it's been great! So needless to say, I've actually been using the entire Clinique skin care line everyday and have seen a big difference in my skin! And this stuff does not make me sweat! YAY!!! : )

So I figure if I really like something, I'm more prone to use it. I just wish I hadn't spent all that moolah on Arbonne. Oh well....you live and you learn!

Unexpected Friends

I think about you, my blog friends quite a bit. Your face or your name or your blog title will cross my mind from time to time, and I always say a quick prayer for you or if I have your address, will send you a card to tell you so.

I would have never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would have friends like you amazing women. You come from so many different backgrounds, races and different places. I have learned more about home keeping, frugal living, faith, the Word, raising children, being a good wife, cooking, cleaning and a whole host of other things than I have anywhere else. There is more love, friendship, creativity, caring and goodness in these few blogs than I could ever know what to do with.

But what is the coolest, is when we let each other know that we are more than just typed words or pictures on a computer screen. It's when you reach out in a tangible, physical, "real" way that you feel like that person you read about on a day to day basis really cares.

I wanted to say a VERY special thank you to Kariann at The Amusing Redhead (and that she is!) for being one such AWESOME lady! Today I received a very sweet little package in the mail from her at just the right time it seemed. In addition to feeling a little down lately (which I think she picked up on), I've had a rough day with a cough and sore throat. I don't feel good, I've been on the couch all day (well, when I wasn't chasing after a two year old). But then, in the mailbox, there was that white packing envelope from New York (is there anything more fun than getting something unexpected in the mail?). I opened the package to find that she had written me a sweet note and had included, wrapped in hot pink tissue paper, a bottle of Coco Chanel lotion! What a treat!!! And here's the God thing ya'll...THAT IS MY PERFUME! Can you believe that? Kariann, did you know that? I don't know if I've mentioned it before on here or what, but when I saw that bottle of lotion in MY signature scent, I couldn't help but tear up at how personal and sweet my God is. And how amazing His people can be when they yield to His promptings. So, needless to say, you made my day girl! I am so thankful for you. And not even so much for the gift, but for you taking the time out to think of me and reach out to me. It just feels incredible to know that people out there on the other side of the country care about you.

WOW!

You ladies (and you few gents) are awesome and I am a better person for knowing you.

Humiliating!

Have you ever fallen? I mean literally, fallen flat on your behind? Gosh, is there anything more humiliating or disheartening? For some reason, it feels REALLY bad and makes me feel like a big loser all day.

I've fallen plenty of times. My favorite was once when I was singing at my church while a nationally known speaker was there...I was so excited! But when I was coming down I tripped all the way down the steps right in front of him! So embarrassing! Yes, I know it's an accident, I know that I AM NOT a loser, but falling does something really negative to the way you think...does anyone out there agree with me?

I think it would be safe to say that most adults don't trip and fall very often, at least I don't. But there have been a couple of times, just in the past few weeks actually, where I have tripped (usually from wearing flip flops) and fell, and it sucks!

I did it again just this morning. I was outside sweeping our patio and pulling weeds. I took a step and my flip flop got caught on an uneven paving stone and I just went face first. I DID NOT want to catch myself with my knees...ugh! That would have been painful! So I quickly turned a little and landed on my behind and caught myself with my hands. I will probably have a bruise there and did scrape up my hands. OUCH! I didn't immediately laugh it off, or dust myself off and hop back up. No. I sat there for a couple of minutes, pouting and I wanted to cry! It hurt and I felt humiliated! No one saw me, it was just an accident, no harm done, I mean it was just a little fall. But it did something to me. It always does. And I'm not sure why?

I think that maybe when we physically fall, we feel out of control. We can't help the inevitable spills that sometimes happen and we don't like it! Or maybe it's that we feel like a big ol' doofus! You sort of tell yourself, "You can't even take a few steps without tripping and falling flat on your butt! You sure are clumsy!" Talk about stinkin' thinkin'. Or maybe you are the kind of person who laughs it off and never gives it a second thought. But I don't I DWELL on it...BAD!

I've also know people, usually older ones, who have perhaps done this. They take a fall and for one reason or another, never quite recover. I had an aunt who did this as well as my grandfather. He fell once and didn't hardly get up again for 10 years! He just kind of scooted around with a cane. And it wasn't a medical issue, it was fear. And I totally get that.

So why can children fall, bloody up their knees and still hop back up just as quickly, shake it off and continue playing? Why does an adult fall constitute "falling apart?" Why does it feel so profound?

Have you taken a spill recently? How did it make you feel? What did it do to you? Were you able to just jump up and forget it? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

Why I'm in Love With Sending Cards!

Do you send cards? I have always been card person for sure. It started in high school with giving and sending cards to boyfriends and my best girlfriends. I remember my friend Tonya and I would frequent the local Hallmark store and buy these certain cards that we liked that were super mushy! I bought TONS of those during my high school and college years!

Have you ever gotten a card in the mail that was not for a birthday or holiday, but that someone sent just for YOU because they were thinking about you? How did it make you feel? I especially love to send cards that are unexpected. It kind of makes me feel like I'm on a mission to purposefully make someone's day. It's so fun for me to give, but it always blows people away when they get a card in the mail out of the clear blue sky.

So if you feel good when you get a card in the mail, and I feel good, and I would venture to say that it makes most people feel good, then why don't we do it more often? I mean sending cards is easy, right? Wrong!!! It's not easy at all!

We all have good intentions, right? I mean, it usually goes like this...you're sitting around one day a person who we care about or haven't seen in a while pops into our mind. We think, "I should get in touch with them, send them a card or something." And then what? The thought leaves your mind about as quickly as it came in, right? But let's just say that the thought lingers for a bit and you decide to go to the store to get them a card. Tell me this, how many times have you actually MADE A SPECIAL TRIP to go get someone an unexpected card? I can count maybe on a couple of fingers the times I've done it. So you didn't make a special trip, but you do find yourself at the mall at a card store or at Walmart in front of their card displays and you luckily remember your friend and think. "Oh yes, I think I'd like to buy them a card. That would really make their day!" So what happens next? You search the endless sea of cards (that have all been handled and touched by hundreds of hands! yuck) for a little display sign that says, "Thinking of You." And then all you find is mushy, lovey stuff when you're just looking for a nice sentiment..."hey thinking about you."


So, you keep on searching, reading card after card after card, looking for the perfect one. You finally find one that will do, but it's not really EXACTLY what you wanted to say, so you pick it up and decide to buy it. You look down at your watch and realize you've been standing there for 40 minutes trying to pick out a card! Has this ever happened to you? LOL

So then you go to check out and when the card rings up, you see the price...$3.95! For a card? Sheesh! That sweet sentiment you wanted to express to your friend is feeling more like a hassle now! LOL But you continue on your little card sending quest and press on. You get home, put the card on the counter with the rest of your things and forget about it...for several days (I've found cards in draws that I meant to send years and years later! Sad, I know.). Then you realize, "Oh wow! I've got to get this mailed out!" So you sit down to hand write a nice little note, because the card didn't really say all you wanted it to in the first place. You sign it, stuff the card in the envelope, address the front (when you finally find their address in that address book you put somewhere?) and realize..."Sheesh! I don't have a stamp!" By now, you're ready to just forget the whole idea and just toss the card altogheter (I have done this soooo many times ya'll.)!

So see...sending cards IS NOT EASY! And I know ya'll have been there too!There are a lot of steps involved from that first prompting to do something nice for someone, with all the best intentions to act and follow through, to actually making it happen. And most of the time, that opportunity to bless someone with that prompting from your heart is lost.

But friends! I HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER (insert heavenly angels singing...."HALLELUJAH!)! It's called SendOutCards.


It is an online greeting card company that takes out all those hassels that come with sending a card and does away with them completely! It's truly amazing!

Let me go through with you what it looks like to send a card using this system (and I promise it won't take 500 words like the other scenario!). You have a prompting in your mind to send some love out to your friend who just sort of popped in there. You log into your SendOutCards system (because you own it). You click on "Card Catalog." You click on "Expressions." You click "Thinking of You." You browse through the cards displayed on the screen to find a pretty picture on the front. Although most of the cards are already written out, you choose a blank one because you know exactly what you want to write. Write? You can write in these cards? Yes! You can say exactly what you want in your card!!! So you choose a nice cursive font, a pretty blue font color, the font size and you write your message...

Dear Mary,

I'm not sure why, but you were on my mind today. I just wanted you to know that although we don't get to see each other as much as I'd like, I still think of you and pray for you often. You are such a beautiful person, inside and out and I'm glad to call you my friend. Let's do a better job keeping in touch. I miss you!
Sincerely,
Sue

Wow, how do you think Mary's going to feel when she gets THIS card?! And you were even able to sign your own name because you created a font with several of your own signatures (how cool is that?). You also realized that you have a picture saved of you and Mary in a file from that time you took that road trip, so you decide to pop that picture into the card as well (yes, you can even add pictures to your card!).

You click on "continue" when you're satisfied with your card and are then sent to a screen to fill in Mary's address. But because you already entered in all the names from that elusive address book of yours into your SendOutCards Contact Manager, you just bring up her name and then click it and it's all addressed and ready for you. The next thing you do is click "continue" and it will send you to a screen that tells you how much your card cost. You created a two panel greeting card and added a picture, so your card cost you .93 cents plus the cost of a stamp (Yeah, I know! Unbelievable price, huh?). You then click on, "Send" and your card is then printed, stuffed, addressed and stamped for you. And your beautiful, custom, personalized, heartfelt greeting card is on it's way through the mail to Mary.

So how was that process compared to the other one? It doesn't compare. From the time you had that first prompting to reach out in kindness to your friend, till the time you clicked "send," you literally only spent about 2 minutes of your time. Isn't that incredible? You literally only had to make a few mouse clicks to do what it may have taken weeks to do before. And the card says exactly what YOU wanted it to say, has your signature, has a picture of you and your friend, you never had to leave the house to send it, and it's going to BLOW HER AWAY!

And that's why I decided to SHARE this system with EVERYONE I KNOW (including my cherished blog friends) because I want EVERYONE to know how easy it is to send this kind of love, joy and positivity out to the world! I chose SendOutCards as my new home-based business because it's genius, it works, the cards are beautiful and because it's so easy to share. Look folks, I aint a salesman! LOL I don't like to SELL stuff! I'm very uncomfortable with it to be honest.

Now, you didn't "give to get" when you sent this card to Mary. You, from your heart, just wanted to reach out in love to her. But what do you think is going to happen? Mary is going to call you GUSHING about that card! She's gonna want to know how in the world you did that?! And then, because you own the system and have also made this a home-based business, you tell Mary that you'd love to give her a free Gift Account and walk her through sending a card to someone she cares about. And you then show her that this is a business opportunity as well and that she can send cards and teach others to send cards. It's that simple and it's NATURAL. People giving and sharing and continuing the circle. That's why I love this! And the response I've gotten from sending my OWN cards has been overwhelming! It feels good to know that you've made someone else feel good!

I want YOU to be a sender of cards too! If you've been interested in investing in a home-based business, but don't have time for parties, shows, inventory, dealing with money, orders, etc., then this business is PERFECT for you.

Please email me and we'll set up a time for YOU to send out a free card to try the system out. No pressure, no salesy stuff, just information for you. You're going to love it!

My email:

angiehowardmusic@gmail.com

My SendOutCards website

www.sendoutcards.com/ahoward

Fun with the Camera

My baby loves to be right in my face...she'll smoosh her face right into mine so hard sometimes, that it hurts a little! LOL So while she was in one of her "I want to be right on top of mama" moods, I grabbed the camera...enjoy our silliness! (and my au naturale, freckle faced self)

Random Thoughts...Shampoo and Boobs

As I was taking a shower this afternoon, I realized something that was just amazing to me...a real life, Oprah type light bulb moment in fact. I realized that the expensive bottle of Pantene I bought for myself a while back has seemed to last FOREVER!!!! Now, if you read my other blog, SAHMBIE CHRONICLES, you're probably thinking, "Well of course it has lasted forever...you never take a shower!" LOL But no, smarty pants, that's not it. You see, when I bought that bottle of $4 shampoo and conditioner, I also bought my hubby (who does take a shower every day) an $.89 bottle of VO5 so he wouldn't use up MY shampoo. And you know...I realized today that it has really worked!!! This bottle of Pantene has lasted for several months! So to all you ladies out there whose fellas are using their expensive salon or drugstore shampoo, trust me...they really could care less! Buy them a bottle of Suave or VO5 or White Rain and they'll never know the difference. My FRUGAL contribution to blog world for the day!

So while this was fresh on my mind, hair up in a towel, I sat down on my couch to write this post and turn on The Rachel Ray show. And I just had to ask ya'll...am I the only one who is confused by her boobs? I swear, they're like 3 inches from the base of her neck and seem to be really short...not that "long" boobs are all that desirable...every woman who's lamented over that area going "south" will attest to that! But hers just seem stunted somehow? I don't know? But if this area is not all that flattering, then why does she wear these low cut shirts all the time? It just weirds me out and I just stare at them throughout the whole show...trying to figure them out???

I told ya'll this was random...but so am I sometimes. So there you go! LOL