~I have a BIG Personality~*~I need BIG Hair...~*!

WOW, long time no Blog~!

I have been running crazy lately, but I thought I would stop in and share a little nugget~!

Here is something you should know about me~
I LOVE BIG HAIR~!

No Joke...LOVE IT! I have Big Hair envy...I see it in the stores,in the schools,
Driving down the road, and I just cant look away...its becoming quite a problem...

Now I missed all the big hair of the 80s ...I was born in the early 80s, so by the time I was in High School, this is what every girls hair looked like....................>

That's right...long, straight, and parted
down the middle...yuck! and no thank you.....
Its such a shame because I just know I can ROCK big hair!!

I do have a slight problem..my hair is straight, there is not one kink, curl, colic, body, or wave to my natural hair...not one....

I have tried in the past to pump up my locks.. I have used root lifter, volumizer, curling iron, etc...
and that works for a while, but so much maintenance....
so in just 2 short months, to reward myself for reaching my diet goal this spring, I will be going into the salon and getting the highly coveted perm!!
YAY~!....Now lets hope it turns out the right way....

When I say I want big hair...I do not mean this:

Limp curls that just lay around your face all lazy like...gross*

I mean this! Big Fat, Fun curls, that look like they are dancing around your face!!...the bigger the better~!

I want to be a little closer to heaven after my perm if you know what I mean~:)

I hope you are all having a fabulous Spring~until next time, Good Night , and Big Hair....**
~Artsie

~*Easy Reading*~ aka* "I did it all for the nookie"

This may come as a shock to some, but I love to read! After all,  you are what you read....So for my birthday coming up, Clayton is buying me an e-reader:)
YAY!!
So I did some research, I played with a few different ones , and this is what I chose~!

The Nook Color~!...I Know, small wonder....

Here is why~

I had to look at what kind of things I actually read a lot of...Self help books, Inspirational, Crafting books, Instructional books of all kinds ....

 Art, Decorating, Painting, Fashion,Leadership also I read a ton of Magazines, Cook books,Bible studys, Novels, and Children's books(to my kids).

So for me the Nook Color is ideal.

First of all it is in color!..."Hello" As I have said before..I live in color!

So if I am reading about a painting tecnique or a recipe, I can actually see what they are supossed to look like and some of them even have a short video on "how to" right after the chapter..."awesome~!"

The childrens books on here are really neat, they have a "read to me" option for the kids to use if they want to read along:)

I can transfer all my magazine subscripions to the nook, and read them in full color, zooming in and out of pictures and articles~

The nook is through Barnes and Nobel, which I LOVE!....I need that in store experiance, I need to be walked through everything when it comes to new gadgets, so the personal touch was a HUGE plus for be.

You can check out e books from the library for free anytime if you have a nook, the kindle..(which is the other one I considered) does not have that option.

Do you need another Plus??

OK...

The Nook has full interenet, and built in Wifi~!...This is good for me because I do not have an internet phone or a laptop...its sort of a mix between an E reader and an I pad...

Barnes and Nobel, gives you a free book to download every friday.

You can download over 1 million books for free, including a bunch of classics...( Pride and Predudice, Sherlock Holmes...etc..)

You can also share books with your friends who also have a nook:)
If you happen to be in the store with it, B&N will let you read any book they have in the store for free on the Nook, and you get coupons for the coffee shop sent streight to to~!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There are about 5000 other things I love about this machine, but unfortunatly I do not have the time to divuldge....
I need to get back to my reading:)

In short...I love this little guy, and I will not have to have a pile of books on my bed side table falling all over the place...just one little one...My Nook~!


**Reading is Knowledge, and Knowledge is Power~!
Happy Reading Everyone~

~How do you eat an Elephant?~*One Bite at a Time~!* Spring Cleaning List 2011~!

OK..I have been asked to share this, so I hope it helps someone. Every year I make an extensive list of everything I need to have done before the end of spring.
I have recently switched to all natural cleaners, and I love them! No more fumes! So this year is going to be even better!
I know it may look  intimidating to some, but have no fear. I only do 1 or 2 points on this list everyday, and will have the whole thing completed in less than 2, maybe 3 months. Just take your time, go slow, and enjoy the ride~!

Spring Cleaning 2011

Wash all windows
wipe down all window sills
wash the front and back doors

~Bathrooms
Mop floors
Clean out medicine cabinet and throw away expired
Clean out and organize closets and throw away old items and non useful towels
Scour tubs and showers
Soak the shower heads
Mirrors should shine
Toilets, inside and out
Wash rugs and curtains
sinks and faucets should shine!

~Master Bedroom
Closet~Take out off season clothes and store them
           ~Get rid of any clothes that do not flatter, no not fit right, or that you do not love.
          ~Clean out and organize all Jewelry
           ~Clean out Make up drawers, discard any old or expired items
Wash all bedding
Vacuum mattress
Clean out and wipe down all furniture and mirrors
Rearrange art work (to make it more eye catching and fresh)

~Foyer
Clean tile
Sort closet, and store all winter items elsewhere
Wash front door
Wipe down walls
Change out the pictures
Sort the shoes

~Dinning Room
Clean the window treatments
Clean the carpet
Wash down the table and chairs
Dust
Wipe down walls
Clean the chandelier until it shines

~Hallway
Clean carpet
Wash bar stools
Wipe down walls
Dust

~Living and Family Room
Vacuum all furniture
Clean carpet
Clean out and wipe down desk and all baskets
Clean out, wipe down, and organize entertainment center
Wash all throw blankets and pillows
Wipe down all coffee tables
Dust...don't forget the ceiling fan!
Vacuum under all furniture

~Kitchen
Mop
Clean out cupboards, throw or give away items that you don't use, dishes, pans, cooking utensil's etc.. get it out of there!
Wipe down cupboards, inside and out, top and bottom.
Clean and redecorate tops of cupboards
Clean out the Fridge, wipe down the front and vacuum the vent underneath.
Clean the stove and all small appliances thoroughly.
Counters and all tile
The sink should shine!

~Kids rooms
Clean all bedding
Vacuum mattresses
Sort through, and purge, Clothes, toys, and books
Wipe down furniture

~Pantry
Organize food by expiration date
Give away a bunch of it
Wipe down the shelves
 

~Basement, Playroom, Workout room, Craft, and Art area, Storage area
De-clutter, organize, and sell a bunch of stuff:)


Tips:
~do your windows with a natural cleaner, or maybe just vinegar, and lemons. wipe them down with old newspaper for streak free shine!
~Put a bowl of lemon juice or some vinegar in the microwave for 5 min, to loosen the grime, them just wipe it out~!
~run a half box of baking soda through your dishwasher to freshen it, stick a few lemons cut in half in there too, for a great fresh smell:)
~run vinegar through the coffee pot to remove stains.
~don't do to many projects at once, finish one before you start a new one, or you will get overwhelmed and quit.

ahhh...I feel better just talking about it!...now back to work:)
Happy Cleaning
Love,
Artsie*

PS I would love to hear from you! Any tips tricks or money saving ways to make your house clean and shiny? Please share!




            

~Well Here is a Thought~!*

Not very often is there a time when someone says something so contrary, so thought provoking, so crazy that I just have to stand and ponder....
This is what happened to me just the other day.

First of all, as I have stated before, I am a frugal, coupon clipper, deal getter, never pay retail, Dave Ramsey FPU graduate, especially when it comes to the grocery store.
I like to combine coupons and deals, price match, and find the best of the best price, I have NEVER, paid full price for a box of cereal.( that is just a sin....)
This way of life is not my fault, I was raised this way, my Mother was the coupon queen! I used to help her clip, and shop on double coupon day...(ahhhh...thoes were the days....). Its just our way of life.
OK, so fastworward.........
what has all this coupon clipping gotten me???
here is a visual...

Thats right, a huge lot of food, houshold items, paper products, etc... Today I still duplicate what I was tought, knowing full well that this is the best way to life and save money, or is it?
~That is the Question on the table~
Just the other day, I was listening to a motovational speaker, as I often do, and this particular woman was talking about how to budget, save money, get out of debt, so I perked right up and listened intently, knowing that she was going to validate, my way of life, and say how great I was at saving and buying in bulk..."I know..I know.."
Well that is NOT what happened.
Instead she threw out a consept so absurd I just stood there speechless.

She said, ""If you are the type of person who is buying on bulk, clipping coupons, and have a room in your house dedicated to housing all of you groceries, stop it! Do not buy another thing! Eat everything you have, all of it. Empty out that pantry. When you have no food left in the house, go to the grocery store, and buy just enough food and supplies to last you one week only. Then eat all of that, every bit of it, then you can shop again for the next week. This will save you much more money than buying in bulk, or clipping coupons, because you are only buying what you need." 
WHAT!?

*My head is spinning*
I have never heard of such a thing!
 I suppose if I think about it, I have no idea why I need 24 boxes of crackers, 54 cans of soup, 12 different pastas, 13 cakemixes, and 26 cans of veggies in my basement...what am I saving all this food for anyway??
She goes on to say, how much of this food eventually expires, and buying food and eating all of it weekly, leaves no waste, and you tend to buy more fresh fruit and veggies, instead of the boxed stuff...well ok...I guess that makes sense....
So this is what I want. All of you who read this can you please weigh in on this issue for me...leave a comment here or on my facebook. How do you grocery shop? do you stock up like its Armegeddon like I do? Do you just buy the minimum??? Does it save you money?
I really want to know, before I do anything this drastic...
I cant imagine what Id tell my kids.."sorry honey, you have to eat this for dinner because there is literally no other food in this house"....hmmm.....maybe not a bad idea after all...:)
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, until then, I will be sitting here still just baffled.

*~I Need Pills~!*

Another Snow day...

OK...so right now I have 2 home businesses I need to work on today. I have a couple events coming up I need to follow up on. I have a pay pal, mess that needs to be fixed(I hate pay pal!!!) so that's a couple hours on the phone at least...plus I have to do laundry, my girls have no pants...
So on top of all this, today is a snow day, and I have the privilege of my kiddos all up in my biz all day long, with no reprieve.
So I need to find constructive things for them to do ASAP. or they will rot in front of the wii all day....
On Days like these I like to start my day with, my Bible, Prayer, Jesus time....and pills!!
I am a believer in the taking of supplements..where do u think I get all the energy? My American diet, leaves a lot to be desired in the nutrient area....
The ones that help with, mood, energy, metabolism, sharp thinking, and good hair...those are the best!

I have semi joked in the past about taking extra vitamins to get me though the day, but today is no joke...
I am stepping in with the big guns!

here we go 8 power supplements!..and this is just the AM pack...I get to have 8 more tonight!! Its a good thing they are fast absorbing~:)
*~Happy Snowday Again Everyone~!~*

*~Going to the Ball~*With Daddy~!*

~February 18, 2011
Getting ready For this Evenings Dance~

Item #1. Manicure....Be sure to Choose a color that compliments your Gown~*

The Girls both chose different shades of red, Gwennie went
with Magenta Burst, and Sophia with Ruby Pumps!

Item #2~Pin Up your Hair~Be Sure to add some finishing Sparkle~!

 Gweneth is Modeling a Classic "Snookie Poof" and Bubble Flip






Sophia went with the classic Up do...and here is a Short how to:

#1 Part the hair in four sections.
hair tie the bottom 2, clip the front.

#3 Smooth back the small front section
and attach it to the bottom pony tail.



#2 twist and "poof" the second section.
Secure with bobby pins, in
an X

#4 Twist, Curl, and pin down the rest of that hair

Be sure to frequently look at the front view

so that all curls are even on the top. Also make sure

all ends are tucked in and most pins are hidden~

Wha~laa!! A Professional Up~do!

Item #3~Make up  Go Subtle and Classy~!

These Mary Kay Beauty looks include~Lavender fog Shadow, Desert Bloom Bronzing Powder, and Pink Diamonds lip Gloss and Bella Belara Perfume~!

Item #3 The Gowns Make the Girl~!

Sophia chose a Red sequined
Gown with black high heal boots

Gweneth Chose a classic white
gown with detailed beading.

Item #4~Time to meet the Prince~! ....and Dance the night away~!

Daughters are like flowers, they fill the world with beauty, and sometimes attract pests. ~Author Unknown

~*Go Love on your Daughters!!! They will learn to love the way you do~!*

**Last minute Valentines Ideas for the Hubby!!**

OK, Husbands. Valentines Day is not over yet!
You still have time to make this right!
Have you told your wife Happy Valentines Day? Give her a Kiss? Told her how much you lover her, or how beautiful she is today?
If the answer is no, you are in the dog house weather you know it or not...its OK , I can help you. Even if you think V Day is a dumb lame waste of time, it is a HUGE deal to the ladies, and your wife is no exception!
OK here are some ideas that will not cost you little to no money, don't take much time, and your Lady will love it!!

~Sing to her, any song will do, try to stay on key
~Cut out a heart shape and jot down a few things that you love about her, try to be neat.
~Give her flowers...its sad I have to mention this...
~Make her dinner, and clean up the mess..
~Find a sitter and get out of that house, esp, if she is a stay at home mom!
~Write her a poem and read it out load to her, doesn't have to be perfect, she just wants to see the effort
~Get her cute undies
~Tell her "I Love You" and give her a prolonged non sexual hug
~Clean the house, and or do the dishes...this is by far the most sexy....
~Make coupons for massages, date nights, or....other...;)
~have a good positive attitude about the whole day, none of this will work if you are rolling your eyes the whole time...
~Write her a Love Letter.....make sure she feels loved, valued, and beautiful:)

Hope this helps someone out there~ Have a Wonderful Valentines Day~!

You Can Do It!!!!

P.S. Flowers are on Sale at Walmart~!