Which vacuum should I buy?

We need a new vacuum cleaner. We've been using a red cordless stick one which I actually really like, but it's practically stopped working and it's time to upgrade to something more 'real'.



I prefer bagless and nothing too expensive but that's about all I know. I saw a commercial of one that could vacuum and mop  - that looked cool but I don't remember what it was. Any suggestions? What do you use, do you like it, where did you get it? Which vacuum should I buy??

The one where I wish we could lie.

Hubby and I are very honest people. But Tuesday night when Hubby came home and told me his boss DID NOT give him Friday off, I practically screamed, "Why didn't you just call out that day instead of ask for it? You never get the days off you ask for!"

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "You wanted me to lie?"

No, I guess not. CRAP. So much for the beach this weekend. DEEP BREATH - IN and OUT.

Ever lied to your boss so you could have a little GET AWAY?

Just a little rant, because it's raining.

Friday afternoon I had an idea: go with Hubby on a spontaneous trip to the beach and treat him to beautiful hotel room overlooking the ocean. When he got home I excitedly told him of my plans and offered to help him pack.

"I'm tired. Not really feeling the drive right now." POP!! Went my happy bubble. I wanted to offer to drive but knew he would get car sick which wouldn't be fun so I just gave up and sulked to our bedroom. It was then that I realized I wanted to go for me more than for him.

Oops.

I'm still in a sad funk about my family leaving. My sister was here for two months and she BELONGED - you know? It's like something, someone, is missing in our home now and it sucks. I'm trying, and most days I'm fine, but it sucks.

I AM SICK OF SEATTLE (Well Florida actually, but it works with the song).



Anyone have any ideas to cheer myself up and move on? Something besides spontaneousness? Any ideas would be appreciated. Also I'm back full swing in the blogging world! Leave me a comment if you are new here and I'll be sure to visit you, I need some more blogging friends :)

Ummm... YES!!

Have you heard of CNS stores?? I hadn't, or maybe I had - actually I've seen a few people do reviews and giveaways for them and I thought 'why don't I ever get contacted to do such things for such cool places?'. I've never wanted to be a review/giveaway blog but I think a few every now and then would be cool. Picking up the hints yet?

I've been contacted to do a review for one product from CSN stores. I obviously said yes. This is a teaser post, then they'll send my a Promo Code, then I'll shop, then I'll unpack and then I'll review. I'M SO EXCITED!! But I have no idea what I want to try out. They have so many cool things. I need your help.

Have a look at the CSN stores and tell me what to choose. I could choose some lights, a waterbed, a new rug, this cute little food processor, these super cute apple dishes that look like my grandma's rose dishes, these canisters... ahhh!! So much to choose from. What should I choose? What would you choose? Did I mention I'm excited?

ps. just found out that my brother is now coming with my parents. EEK!! Happy Dance. I'll tell you more about that next week :)

Giveaway Diet Children

Hosting a giveaway on my design blog on Friday. I'm a little nervous that no one will enter and my client will hate me forever. Will you enter??? Please!!! I'll remind you again on the big day but I would really really be happy if you would help me out.



I'm also suppose to be starting a diet on Friday. My mom is doing it with me so wish me luck. Or cross your fingers she wants to postpone it, I'm not really ready yet.

I got a church calling last week to help with Sunbeams. They are the 3-4 year old's (I think). There are 10+ in the class. CUTE as can be (I want to take a few home with me, think their parents would mind?) but very bad listeners. Anyone have any tips on how to get small children to sit still and be quite at Church?

And finally I LOVE GRAPE SODA!! Yum yum yummers as my mom would say :)

Size or quality??

I want to get your opinion... I've been saving up to buy a new set of pots and pans and it's finally time. I've done my research and choose a brand. What I need help with is this: which is more important, size or quality? There is a set with the perfect sizes for me, but it's an older set meaning the other sets are more updated and even dishwasher safe.

Is it worth forfeiting the perfect sizes to get a little better quality???

Counting blessing and asking for ideas

Hubs is still on the job search. No call backs or interviews yet. It's hard to be in limbo, it's hard to be positive and see the good sometimes. What sucks the most is that our Christmas plans have been canceled (road trip to Arizona to see my family with stops in Utah). We were both really looking forward to that.

I'll be honest though - it's been great having him home so much. It's been great not to see him come home from work in a bad mood. There is no more complaining about the terrible environment, his mean crude co-workers, or his bosses who lie about his performance because 'they can't give everyone a good review'. We have grown so much in our spirituality and strangely are better prepared to be parents when we finally get blessed with children.

We have some money saved up. Besides student loans we have no debt. We have a little food storage if we need it. We have support from both of our families. So we really do have lots to be grateful for, I know this is one of those blessings in disguise.

We have my businesses. It's a big relief to know we have the possibility of income. With that said I do need to attract more customers. You know my work is good so anyone want a blog design? A website, logo or graphic design? I know some of you have amazing talents - why not start a website and use those talents to make money for yourself, if only to save up 'in case'? I'll even offer gift cards if anyone wants to purchase something for a friend or family member.

I've been thinking about having a sale or giveaway of some type. But those mostly backfired last time I tried them. Anyone have any ideas?

Friend Makin Monday

What are some of your favorite fall shows?

Honesty I don't have a favorite fall show. I like tv. I'm just more of a "watch whatever is on at the time because I hate to have to schedule my day to catch the latest episode of something" type person. I don't have tvo or dvr or any such type gadgets.

But I will be watching this:

The last season of Gilmore Girls (on DVD of course). At least I think I will. I hope I can. Should I?

Should I Grape

Came across this pen on Etsy. You all know how much I love grape soda so I'll let you imagine my response. It went something like this "WHAT?! That's sooooo cool!!!"


The creator of this refreshing item exclaims that it was inspired by the Disney movie UP. I've never seen the movie. Have you - is it a good one? I do like the trailer, looks very cute! Should I go see it or wait till it comes out and rent it?

To beach or not to beach

Hubby's birthday is on Sunday. He mention going to the beach - only if I want too. Truth is I LOVE the beach. There is nothing like waking up to the sunrise and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore. Standing on that spot to feel the sand taken away by the powerful ocean underneath your bare feet. Walking back and forth for hours to find the biggest and best shells. It's very peaceful and relaxing. It brings me back down to earth. It reminds me of the power and beauty of God's creations.

"Yes of course I want to go!!" I would love to squeal to him.

But I can't. There is a silly little voice somewhere in the back of my head that says mean things like, "you are too fat, ugly and old." "your husband is too short, you look weird together." "No one wants to see that." And of course it will cost money. I've been working hard lately. Do I want to spend it all on this?

It most likely will be our last change to go. We are trying desperately to move to Utah and who knows when we will be back when that happens...

What should I do ladies, beach or no beach?????

Comment Whore 100

*I may be having a momentofweakness please ignore this yet again ridiculously long post if you sense that this is the case.

Firstly--- A HUGE thank you to everyone who left me comments yesterday. That's the most I've EVER gotten more than double in fact. I feel so special you are all so so sweet :)

Now, have I mentioned that I started a new blog? It's called Traveling the Blogosphere or TTB cause I'm lazy and can't write out that long name every time. Did you discover the awesome giveaway that I'm hosting there? Yep, Burt's Bees Yankee Candle and Bath and Body works. Only the best for my bloggy friends - go go enter. (This post right here is my 100th so I'm counting that giveaway as this one. Make sense k good. Happy 100 to me!)

I've gotten 88 entires so far!! I feel very lucky. Thank you, thank thank you, thank you everyone. You guys rock. I would be bored and lonely without you!! I did not expect that many. But at the same time I look at other giveaways that have over 400 entries... HOW DO THEY DO IT!!!!!

I feel like a comment whore already. I always comment a lot, but now that I've started this new blog I've been including a 'please please please' with every comment. I don't want to bug people but I need them. HUmm... what have a started??? Is it even started??? How long are people going to be interested???? is it just one more thing for people to worry about? I only have one more feature for tomorrow then I'm out. That was fun while it lasted right.

This is my final (for now anyway) plea for you to sign up to be featured. It's free and easy and it just might get you some comments. You can't go wrong. And I will love you long time for doing it. Seriously I will.

While you are there tell me what you think. Does it make sense, can you tell the purpose? I've gotten a lot of nice words but you never know what people will say to win free stuff right.

Rebel hair

Do you even think "my hair actually looks really good right now" after you look in the mirror? The thought comes to me from time to time. But ALWAYS, yes always, right after I decide it's time to cut or color it.

It will look terrible for a month so I tell Hubby I'm going to get it cut tomorrow. When I wake up that tomorrow it looks good, like ridiculously good. I don't get it. I think my hair is a rebel.

Sunburn city

I mentioned I got sunburned. Now I have blisters, water blisters I guess. The thing is that the blisters don't hurt. The rest of the burn does. It hurts SO bad. I was crying and even screaming at one point (my mom happened to call just then and calm my down).

Does anyone know how to take this pain away? I am such a baby when it comes to pain. It's not bad enough to go to the er but I need some advise if anyone's got any.

Poor Polly

My posts have been lacking lately (I can tell by the decline in comments right?). My head is all over the place these days. I've got lots of projects in the works. Which means lots of procrastination. Mostly when it comes to one project in particular. I keep putting it off and off and off.

I've never been a big procrastinator: I did my homework right when I got home. I studied for tests the same day I found out we were going to have one. I run errands early in the day in case something happens later and I can't get them done. I plan weekly menus. I have my dream house decorated down to the rugs, for gosh sakes.

I'm all about getting things done ahead of time. I'm all about being prepared and completing my goals.

This new fault of mine is really bugging me. Could it be a sign that I'm just not ready to do it? Maybe I'm afraid that once I get it done it won't succeed, or I won't be able to handle it. Does anyone have any tips on how to overcome targeted procrastination?

Guilt or Love?

Thursday night in self pity and pain Hubby said "I'm so jealous that you haven't been sick once." Of course this isn't true, I've been sick. At that moment I couldn't feel my fingers... But whatever he needed to vent.

Before bed my eyes started burning. I'd have my contacts in all day and figured they were the culprit but when I took them out the sensation didn't go away. My left eye was really red and starting to itch.

We got some eye drops, put them in and we went to bed. I slept fine. In the morning I couldn't open my eye. It was crusty and humongous. So off to the doctors we went. Pink eye, well the fancy word for it, seemed to be my ailment. "Take these very large pills, use these eyedrops and apply this cream. Go see an eye doctor if it doesn't get better in a few days." I could do that.

Hubby went off to work. He called me every hour to see how I was doing. At one point I told him I was hungry. Before I knew it there was a knock on the door. It was his parents with food and cookies :) Today he insisted I rest and forbid me from working. He is being extra sweet to me, and I don't know why.

It's either A.) because he loves me or B.) because he feels gulity for wishing me sick. What do you think?

I'll get that

I have a hard time taking breaks. I like to work, keep my mind busy. For example today I: woke up - made breakfast - helped with MRI - visited in-laws - had lunch - cleaned vacuumed scrubbed Hubby's car - finished and installed a blog - worked on Insert Self - commented and read blogs - replied to emails - did two loads of dishes - took out the trash - checked the mail - etc.

My body {hands arms & back} is rebelling. My right hand has been numb for over a week now. I'm attempting to use my left hand but it gets weak really easy and I have to switch back, plus typing with one hand takes forever. I'm 23 and worried about nerve damage. I have to wear a brace. How pathetic.



I know if I could just stop working for awhile and let my hand heal it would get better, the body is so beautiful and amazing that way, but... there is so much to do and who better to do it than me.


*UPDATE* Sorry for complaining so much, it not as bad as I make it seem, but I now have pink eye... WTF?

The "honeymoon" rule

I'm thinking out loud here bear with me.

Hubby and I have been married for 2 years. Someone will see us holding hands and ask how long we've been together. When we tell them they always say "I thought so." We also get the "how cute, you're still on your honeymoon" comments. And the dreaded, "just give it a few years and you will be throwing hair dryers around too."

What are these about? Is there some sort of unwritten rule that says after you have been married a set amount of time your relationship goes to crap? That you are no longer aloud to hold hands or kiss? Do you have to throw hair dryers?


Why is it that couples who have been together for 15 years feel their marital advise is more sound then ours. We are the ones still holding hands, they are the ones fighting every night. I don't know, it seems like we have the better relationship.

It seems to me that if the fighting couple would listen to the blissfully happy "honeymoon" couple the fighting couple might be able to solve a few problems and go on a "second honeymoon".

My grandparents have been married a long long time. They still hold hands. I've never seen them fight. In this case, yes listen to my grandparents marital advice over Hubby and I's. But I don't think time always makes it better. Wine tastes better with time, but most everything else molds or goes sour.


Are my grandparents a rare exception to the "honeymoon" rule? Is it possible that Hubby and I will remain to be this happy for the rest of our lives? Is it possible that neither of us will ever throw a hair dryer? It seems like a huge possibility to me. But what do I know. I've only been married for 2 years right.

Mattress q

Getting a mattress tomorrow. Anyone have any suggestions? Don't have a clue what to look for or what we like.

Creme Brulee?

Has anyone ever tried creme brulee? I haven't, but always wanted to. I love the idea of a sexy waiter coming from the kitchen and seting my desert on fire. It would probably be lots of fun to break the burnt sugar crust with the back of a spoon {smiling right now cause I'm thinking of the movie Amelie}.

Got caught up in this fantisy while at the gocery store when I spotted creme brulee pudding. It was even sugar free so I had to try it.

As you have guessed this was a bad idea. No one came and set it on fire. There was no bunt sugar crust to brake. It has little weird wormy things in it. It didn't look at all like this beautiful picture. And it didn't even taste good.

I wonder how close it actually was to the real thing. Any ideas?

Mystery solved

Hubby didn't know about the smell in our freezer. I didn't want to tell him. I'm his wife, and as such I feel it my duty to take care of the domestic things around here. Well I finally gave up, shoved his head in the freezer and made him inhale.

"That's just the ice maker and the old ice at the bottom." He quickly and mater-of-factly informed me.

WHAT?!

All this time it's just been old ice? It makes sense. The smell was a musty one. We always have the ice maker on and we only use the ice at the top. We've never used the ice at the bottom; it's been sitting there for over a year.

I dumped out the container the ice was in and smelt it. Yep, that was the smell.
Man I felt so stupid. Thanks everyone for giving me your suggestions, I really appreciated that. I am glad that this mystery is solved and I can move on to another.



How is it that men can be so ignorant and clueless on most occasions but so very very smart on others?