I am still alive! + a fab giveaway from my girl J

Hello? Is anyone still lurking around here? I have just been one busy mamacita for the past month. Kicked it off with celebrating my quarter century crisis (i.e. 25th birthday). Wonderful girl's weekend in Cincinnati.

Took my spoiled 3 year old daughter to Yo Gabba Gabba in Cincinnati a few weekends ago. Wow she loved that, and of course wanted all that over priced junk they sell (I'm in the wrong business). We both did get tshirts, so pretty jazzed about that. I recommend the show to any of you hip parents whose kids love it.

Went on the relationship rollcoaster thanks to boyfriend taking Chantix. But happy to say that things are back to normal and still as amazing as before.

Lastly, finalized my job on friday and I am not an OFFICIAL employee at the organization. Best aspect of that is that my health insurance kicks in on Monday. 100% covered by my employer, and I'll pay 1/2 for my daughter.

So anyway yadda yadda yadda enough about me! I of course haven't had much of anytime to do anything but my girl J is having an awesome giveaway on her blog right now. Guy and Eva is one of those that I am determined to win. They just launched their spring/summer catalog and there are so many great pieces for under 30 bucks. I am on a ring fetish right now and there are tons of adorable and eccentric rings...naturally I was in heaven.

If you pop on over to Boobies, Babies & a Blog you can enter to win the Hayden Necklace! The colors are perfect for spring. And i'm gonna say right now if I win this I will be shopping for a hot pair of green or yellow pumps! (yeah you see how I get one thing and it leads to a shoe purchase....boyfriend does NOT get that ;0) )

Best of luck ladies, hurry it ends April 10!

My blog has been neglected

Oh how will I find the time!! So great news, I went back to work this week. It's amazing how things just worked out as well as they did. I wasn't all over the finding a job scene, and I think it may have fallen into place thanks again to wonderful connections. Although temporary, hopefully it leads to something full time. I am determined to prove that I can do the job and more when needed. The pay isn't exceptional but the benefits would be off the hook. Plus I could be making the same amount of money working 60 hours a week on a campaign, so the trade off is wonderful. All because it works with Reagan's schedule.

After 3 days I am exhausted, it is friday night I am laying in bed and yawning because I just need to get to sleep. I am sure after a week or two it will all fall into place, work, home, 'the relationship, giveaways, free time etc.

In the mean time I will just enjoy the moment.

In Honor of the Massachusetts election: An Open Letter to Democrat Politicians

I'm having a political moment here. A facebook friend posted this video a few weeks ago,

and then it mysteriously disappeared from youtube. Hmmm wonder why?

It's pretty powerful, and I wish the GOP would grab hold of ideas like this!

So it's 2010, what will it bring?

To be honest what I am looking forward to the absolute most about 2010 is the Midterm Election. Yes *beware* the following will be a short political rant. I am by no means afraid to discuss politics (hello it's my life) but I think there is a time and a place. So if you don't want to read it then you can skip past this red section and onto my other 2010 plans. Whether, I agree with the party in power or not I love election season. It's the time I become so engulfed by the constant news cycle and every development that it's unbearable for some. By Thanksgiving I have to go back to watching crappy mtv reality shows to give my brain a break. Trust me this year will be interesting to watch unfold, hopefully there will be some movers and shakers emerging (Hello Rubio). Over the past year America has been transformed and there are numerous people not happy with the projected outcome, and they will be silent no more.

Okay well enough of that before I lose my 4 followers I have. My other big goal is to lose at least 30 lbs. I plan to achieve this through healthy eating and exercise. In order to keep on track I am pledging to run/walk/bike at least 400 miles this year. Yes, that is a lot but it is a goal that will keep me working out all year long. A great motivator is the vast wardrobe of clothes I have in my closet that no longer fit properly. I am just dying fit in them again, and it will be like getting a bunch of no clothes all over.

Aside from that I absolutely must find a job. Which means I must finish my resume this week and start looking. I am leaning towards a campaign but I am afraid to commit to that time commitment being a single parent and all. So we'll just have to see what it brings, I am sure it is out there waiting for me. Secondly, I need to decide if/when I am going to grad school and what I am doing. I am still heavily drawn towards counter terrorism, and learning Arabic. With, the latest developments of underpants bomb guy it is just another tally on the reasons I think I should do it. It is a field that needs a lot of attention and is not going away anytime soon. Whether, combatting International terrorism or domestic terrorism I think it is a field that would enjoy. Much like campaigns you have to be on the ball with new information, the adrenaline of that makes for an interesting, informative and growing career.

Christmas 2009

Will mark the first Christmas that my daughter really got into. Despite her lack of enthusiasm upon seeing presents under the tree she was more than excited to play with all her new presents. I spent most of the day playing board games, which she was into for all of 3 minutes and then my sister and I duked it out for the rest of the game. By the way, I lost more than once today to dear sister. Reagan also wanted to explore the land of play doh worms and cookies, only to be followed by barbies and a bazillion little parts to be tracked now.

I think she had a great day, she was giving many hugs and saying "Happy Christmas" all day. She went to bed with her 3 new friends, Woody, Buzz "lightchair" and spongebob and 2 new blankets in her new toy story pajamas.

There are other aspects of this holiday season that I wish were different. But I took control of the one thing I could, Reagan's happiness and did the best I could, and for that my heart is full of joy. Despite the above picture she had a good day, that picture screams mommy get away from me. Of course no time for pictures when we have "ice to break". I think the next month will mark a time for me to find "myself" again...but I'll spare you that we have 1 and half hours to be Merry!

Stay tuned for another baking blog entry, it's worth it, her treats look delicious!

Have a great weekend!

I have a lot to do this weekend in prep for Christmas parties and a family gathering tomorrow. (please pray I make it through this) So I will be cooking this afternoon and cleaning, then donning my ugly sweater Christmas apparel. Which is delightfully tacky.

Everyone have a safe weekend and have fun (esp. if you have snow).

My daughter is singing jingle bells very loudly while going potty, it's a trip!

Thursday To do List

I have let so many things go all week, and now I am quickly running out of time and being asked to do other things that are much more fun! So these are the things that must be done by saturday

1. Christmas cards (mine and family)

2. Finish rum bon bons

3. Get sister bday card and wrap gifts, and get one last gift

4. Return items to various stores (going to do today)

5. Find ugly christmas sweater

6. Get stuff to make appetizers for saturday

7. Find sweet potato crock pot recipe for Sunday

8. Super clean the house for Sunday

Saturday I have 2 Christmas parties and cooking and baking to do. Sunday is christmas here with dad's gf and her kids, who we have only met one time in the past 4 years and that was a year ago....and 20 bucks I am hungover from Saturday night events.

But what would I rather do with my time? Enter giveaways, watch crappy shows like Jersey shore, facebook, help my friend Jimmy decorate for his christmas party, go over there and bake cookies, and bake more cookies for my friend Tom!

Which reminds me! HELP: In need of a cookie recipe with PEANUT BUTTER included. I was thinking the peanut butter blossoms (hershey kiss cookies).

They are habits that become rituals

We all have them! Something we do everyday or frequently that is just a habit. If it isn't done, then it throws you for a loop and takes you out of your comfort zone. I was thinking last night that most of my habits are related to sleeping and the process of going to bed. Aside from being OCD; bedtime rituals probably ranks up there with the worst of them. I only say this because for me if one important aspect is missing then falling asleep is a bitch and a half. I generally have 2 bedtime rituals and just added a third.

1. Sleeping with a fan

I prefer a ceiling fan but I am not that picky, a small fan will do in a pinch. Traveling with a fan isn't always doable. Let's face it I rather squeeze in one more pair of shoes that I probably won't wear than a fan when it comes to vacationing. Such a nasty littl

e habit to get into. Doesn't matter if it is -20 degrees, this girl is gonna have the fan on.

2. Falling asleep to the TV

At the very least I have to watch some tv before bed, but I wish I could be one of those people who said "no tv in the bedroom" bahahaha, YAH RIGHT. Generally I catch Chelsea Lately and an episode of Will and Grace and I'm ready to roll over and sleep. If I am up later than the 12 am hour then there is always Roseanne. See the problem here is that sometimes I get so enthralled in watching some show that I can't go to sleep and it just continues.

3. Moisturizing my feet

Okay I will admit this is a new one, and actually 1/2 a nuisance to me. So how did it start anyway? Well I am fulling going to place the blame on my friend Jana (hey, girl, hey!) She is a big pedi/mani girl (and she does them herself, that frugal son of a bitch!). Jana had mentioned how she lathers up her feet with lotion or vaseline and sleeps with socks on. Just my luck I have this pair of Bath and Body Works Moisturizing Socks. What do you know I am channeling my inner Jana and lotioning up my feet and crawling into bed. And here lies the problem I pretty much HATE socks unle

ss I am wearing shoes. So about an hour into my tv watching or in the middle of my slumber the socks come off. I figure 60 mins of treatment is better than nothing...right?

There you have it, my habits or rituals that are bound and determined to drive my future significant other up the wall, but even with these I promise I'm worth it!

A Website with it all

It isn't very often I find a website that I want to read everyday, let alone that isn't packed full of news and political stuff. But alas, I have added a new bookmark. In my search for giveaways I have come across some interesting sites, and this is my new favorite.

Pop sugar, see there is a "sugar" for every aspect of your life. Pop sugar, covers the celeb gossip and includes guessing games as to which celeb was spotted where (and I almost always get them wrong).

Bella Sugar, is your beauty guide. And what girl doesn't love make up and beauty products. From reviews, celeb fashion and polls there is a lot to learn.

And to my surprise I love Geek Sugar, who is your techy gal. I'm not a tech person at all, as long as my internet and MAC are in working order and my ipod is charged I am pleased. Did you know that December 17 is free shipping day for online orders? Over 700 retailers have committed to doing free shipping. And check out this cool colorful LED keyboard.

Point is no matter what you like or want to know there is a little sugar out there for you at this site.

Blogging round 2

I started to blog back in the day, well not that far back in the day but a year or so ago. I just did not have time with school and my other online fascinations (message boards and facebook). So now I want to make a larger effort to spread the love. And by love I mean the giveaways, good recipes, general knowledge and fun stories!