I Quit!

I've gotten extremely busy as of the last few months and can't find the time to write this blog when I know I should be doing other things. Plus, I'm almost officially on the waitlist for my adoption and I want to write more on that blog since I am using it to create a book for little Baby I. I can't do all of these things so I've decided to give this blog up.

If you want to keep up with me you can catch me at my adoption blog. I'm sure once things settle down I'll come up with a new blog maybe something with a title like: Design School Dropout, Noncommittal, Procrastination Diaries, or This Lazy House. I don't know but I'm sure I'll be back with a better plan this time. Until then I'm just going to read my favorite blogs and write on my other blog.

Thanks for following for the short time I did this. You guys rock!

Peace Out!

Tami

Note To Self

The camera does add 10 (or 20 pounds).   

Get ye to the gym AND fast!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving

I'm on my way to Myrtle Beach for the weekend so no post tonight.  I plan on eating a lot and paying for it next week at the gym.  A male friend of mine asked me if I was cooking a turkey I said no, I've never cooked one, don't know how and really have no desire to learn.  Maybe one day but right now Mommy's turkey works and if I find a need to cook a turkey I prepare Cornish hen or a whole chicken.  Poultry is poultry right?

I will try to post once while gone but my mother doesn't have Internet (who doesn't have Internet these days?).  Maybe I can "borrow" from a neighbor.  

Until then...

Eat

Drink

and be Thankful!

Ben, the two of us love no more...

Dear Ben-

It was Michael Jackson who said: "With a friend to call my own I'll never be alone and you my friend will see you got a friend in me.

I didn't say it, perhaps you are a bit confused.

Poor Ben, you feel you're always running here and there and not wanted anywhere.  

You are right!  No one wants you around.

You certainly aren't wanted in my house.

Get to steppin'.  You tried to visit this summer... 

...I locked your beady eyes out.  Because I heard you are a bad house guest, this small deterrent was quickly replaced by a much larger one (a piece of heavy cement) because I really don't like the things I've heard about you.

I thought you got the hint...but noooo...I heard you begging and pleading to visit this week.

Oh, Ben!  What am I going to do with you?

NOOOOOOOO!  YOU CAN'T LIVE OR VISIT HERE!

You don't want to pay the mortgage, utilities or even food!  You just want to eat me out of house and home and then claim squatters rights to get me out of my home.

NOOOO!

GTFO!

I'm calling the Rat Patrol on you because you gots to get the H$#@ up outta here even before you get here!


Oh, in case you wanted a place to go Michael misses you.   I'm going to arrange for you (and your family) to visit him because that's just the type of giving person I am.

Me, Natalie and AARP

I went to the doctor's office today and while waiting I saw a magazine with a pretty black woman on the cover.  Ooohhh, Natalie Cole.  I wanted to read the article but the magazine was AARP The Magazine.  I immediately thought, do you really want to read this? You don't want someone to think you are interested in other items in the magazine, like the adult diapers, or heaven forbid they think you qualify as old enough to read AARP (sorry Mom).

So, what did I do?

I looked around to make sure no one was watching me (or the magazine), picked it up, folded the cover back (so you couldn't see AARP) and got my read on.

Can I Get a Do Over?

Tell me all of this gets better.

I’ve been absent because I’m trying to figure out WTH I’m going to do with my life. Unfortunately I keep thinking: “can I get a do over?”

So, since I can’t get a do-over. I’m learning how to deal with it all. This is it! or is that, This is it?

Dang, life has humbled me the past two years but I’m still here. I can't get a do-over so I'm trying to figure out how to do-now.

Let's see what I come up with.

Yes, the blog is bright red now. I'm so bored with the templates available that I decided to be in your face...how I want to live my life now.

One More Time

Ok...

I didn't get a whole lotta feedback, I'm sure I lost readers from my many hiatuses c'est la vie.

I'm gonna give it one mo' try since I do adore writing and it is such an outlet for me.  I'm going to do some things differently and shake it up a little more.  I'll let you know my plan in a few days and then get started.  The only thing I ask of you is give me more feedback and tell me if you are reading, and what you want more of...then share with your friends!

See you in a few days.  I have to go shake some more thoughts and ideas out of this big ole head!

A Question

I've been thinking about stopping the blog.  

I'm not sure if people are reading anymore since I've been negligent.  

If I don't stop what ideas do you have for posts so I can keep it daily (during the week) or at least more than once a week.  

I have so much on my plate that if this is wasted I might as well save the energy now.  

What does ye think?

My Deal of the Century

I wasn't sure if I was going to post about my huge bargains but, why the heck not.  

So, what had happened was... (Some of you may get this and others may not)

I put my stove on freecycle because it had a gas leak.  I decided not to get it fixed eventhough I loved the vintage look, I wanted something different.  Once I posted my stove a really nice woman emailed me and said she just bought a house with appliances she didn't want and I was welcomed to them.   Since I love a bargain (and rule #1 in my bargain handbook is: be prepared for a bargain at anytime) I said absolutely I'll come look.  Also, I knew the appliances had to be nice due to the location of the home.  So, I get there and what did I see?  A 36" Viking Professional stove, a 48" Sub Zero refrigerator and a 8' granite counter top!  I almost fell over with joy!   That is an understatement.  I was trying to play it cool though I'm not sure it worked. I just needed to figure out how to get the items home. 

After much drama, I am proud to report that my items are HOME!  I have a beautiful Viking gas stove that goes for $6,000 new and a gorgeous granite counter top with stainless sink that would go for at least $2,000.  I left the refrigerator; it was just too much drama to move because of the size and age along with the ventilation system.   Since I don't have to buy a stove or counter top for my kitchen remodel, I'll buy my own fancy shmancy refrigerator along with the ventilation system (I gave the old oven hood away because it looked like it could swallow my baby.  It was too massive and scared me.  I want something a little newer and more streamlined.  Heck, maybe someone else will give me a new refrigerator or oven hood; you never know when it comes to my deals!  Even if I have to purchase them I've saved at least $8,000 in kitchen items right now.  

Me singing: OH HAPPY DAY!

My beautiful stove.

The ginormous refrigerator I left.

The back of my very heavy and gorgeous countertop.         

The color of the granite is sitting on top.  

Well...my job is done now.  I'm going to admire (and clean my Viking).    

What is your best deal?

Lady in Red

Sitting here late Tuesday night, going through my insane number of blogs, I visited the Sartorialist blog.  I often forget about the blog, because it won't come up on my blog reader, unless someone mentions it.  (Thanks Tam)  I love looking at all the cool pictures, of real people in real fashion.  

So, everything was going along just fine, at 11:30pm, until I came across this picture of a beautiful Rageous Woman.    

I love that she is strutting her stuff and looks fabulous, BUT I suddenly realize how terrible I look at that this moment.  

Me: mismatched sweats, hair in bun all over head, pale skin (yes I get pale or gray), stuffing my face with saltine crackers thinking I need to go back to the gym tomorrow.   

On a brighter note: I do have shoes similar to those, big glasses and a fly black purse...must work on a coat (not in red though, clashes with the red hair) to replicate this look.  I'll get back to you on that...say April, it's too cold now!  

*Note to self: Don't view Sartorialist until you are having a great hair and fashion day unless you want to feel like a loser!

Planning My Funeral at Wal-Mart Today

I was feeling a little down today so I thought about planning my funeral.  This turning 40 really has me bummed.  So, what does any good 'ole American do when planning a funeral and shopping for a casket?  They go to Wal-Mart of course!  Yes, Wal-Mart!  The black casket I picked out above got 4.5 stars!

LOL

BTW...I really wasn't planning my funeral but caskets from Wal-Mart was too funny to pass up.  Thanks Misses.

What Does a Girl Do Instead of Blog? Shop!

Well not really shop b/c I'm saving money for adoption, but you know I know how to save a dime. I've been thrifting, freecycling like crazy (I'm a lot addicted and some of the things I've gotten you just wouldn't believe...later date) and figuring out what I have of value in my home and getting rid of stuff I don't want. For me and baby; I am VERY proud. Would you like to see what I've gotten? Glad you asked.  

I am a design maniac!  I've decided to leave the design blogs (and apparently blogging in general...is anyone there anymore) to those more focused than I but I live and die by great design.  Over the past few years I've been in a funk and so has my design but as of 40 I've taken my life and design back.  Since I'm saving for adoption I'm being a bit more creative than normal and having fun.  Who knew of all the things I could find.  When I saw this table it was love but not at couple grand price tag! Hmmm...thinking....

I can make that.  I found this drum at the thrift store for $6.  I still need to buy a glass top but you get the idea.  Check out my midcentury lamp on top.  ADORE.  It needs to be rewired and painted (not sure of color yet) but for the great design and $8 gotta love it!

Next on the list are two rocking chairs I had for years that I bought from a neighbor for like nothing when they moved.  I was thinking about selling them but when I put them on Craigslist my email started blowing up.  I thought, maybe I was too hasty.  Why am I of all people not checking this out more...I was in this decluttering phase so I really didn't care but I stopped in my tracks. 

I did a little recon and found out on 1stdibs that my chairs made in 1950 are by Lawrence Peabody; once refinished they will be worth a cool $2400! I think I'll keep them. That's my kid's inheritance! LOL (I bet you'll stop laughing at my thrifting and yard sale shopping now won't you!).  Don't hate me because I'm a beautiful, 40 year old shopping diva extraordinaire (you see I had to throw beautiful in there...someone has to tell me this if it is ONLY me! HA)!  

Moving on to this little bench ($10) that now has a special place at the foot of my bed (although that picture is the wall in my room).  I just love how different it is (I should probably paint it but due time).  I'll never see this in anyone else's home.  

 

I also must tell you that yesterday I came up on the Grandaddy of all deals but I can't tell you just yet.  I must show you and I'm not sure when that will be.  Sorry.  Some good things are just worth waiting for.  

Also, I know I'm supposed to post pictures of my organization but haven't taken any.  Next up...clothing finds.  

What are your best home finds...on sale, thrift, garage or yard sale?  

Almost Clutter Free

When I told my mother I wanted to de-clutter.  She said "where?"  I've always been neat but I had a secret, I hid clutter well.  Paper stacked ever so neatly.  All piles of whatever, had a nice pretty little home and well...don't open that door!  Until now.  I spent the last few months (the summer plus) sorting and getting rid of everything!  I mean everything.  I have gone through every single drawer, box, closet, cubbyhole, cabinet, shed and eve in my home (interior and exterior).  I've gotten rid of:

• jewelry
• furniture
• underwear/socks
• magazines
• unmatched silverware, extra pots, pans, storage containers
• expired anything
• clothes (that I don't wear/like/fit), things discolored, with a hole, out of date or anything questionable
• books I haven't opened in years and don't intend to
• extra vases and tchcokes that were attacking dust
• extra makeup, lotions and potions
• anything that I don't love, need, have sentimental value or that I think is beautiful was out of here!  
  

When I started doing this and I realized I didn't miss any of the items I thought many of the following things: 

Did I buy all of this crap?  Why?  Why?  Why?  When was the last time I used this?  What the Hell was I thinking?  Arghhh!  I want my money back!  Never again!  What a waste!  Are you kidding?  Now that was funny!  #$!@@%!!!**&%

I have posted over 200 items to freecyle.  Taken bags and bags to thrift and consignment stores.  Sold items on Craigslist - sorry ex man - you shouldn't have left that juicer here...too bad you didn't leave more!  I also had a yard sale where I made almost $500...okay one of my friends donated $150 for my adoption but I did give him some items so it still counts!  I have a few more things that I'm trying to decide if I should sell them on ebay, donate or give them away then I'm DONE decluttering!  

It feels and looks awesome. 

I have boxes for my storage shelf in the basement by the water heater, etc. (albeit not as pretty as I would like but that will come in the redecorating phase)...even the hammers and glue guns have homes now.  Why do I have 7 hammers and 6 glue guns?  Hmm when I couldn't find one I would buy another.  Not any more.  All medicine and vitamins have storage...I mean I'm like the queen of freakin' organization over here now!  What I have realized from all of this organization is that once you begin it is like a new disease.  I walk around my house now thinking do I really need this.  Most of the time the answer is No.  Yes!  I love this new less is more life.  

Now on to a major clean before redecorating.  That won't be fun!  

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of my awesome organization.  

Has anyone else gone through this?  Maybe you moved and were forced to de-clutter but how did you feel and what did you get rid of?

Hyperpigmentation be gone!

Remember when I look like this 12 weeks ago?  I really can't express how much worse it was than this showed.


Now I looks like this!

No more bad concealer.  No more running from people I know and hanging out in dark alleys. My complexion is almost 100% clear and I owe it to my dermatologist, SkinCeuticals and RetinA.  Little birds chirping in the background.  My daily facial routine:

Morning

-wash: a cream cleanser to moisturize and take the residue off from the night

- tone: Burt's Bees rosewater & glycerin toner

- eyes: Auriderm illume eye creme (for dark circles)

- Moisturize & Prevent SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel & Phloretin CF (drops are mixed)

- Extra Preventative: A Serum...whatever I'm feeling at the moment

- Hide: Neutrogena FaceShield 55SPF

Night

-wash: something different from the morning probably...I take my mascara off with olive oil

-tone: s/a

-eyes: s/a

-Moisturize & Prevent: s/a

-RETIN A... I love this stuff.  I have definitely seen a difference in my tone and those little lines...what lines I say!  BEG (on your hands and knees if you have to) your dermatologist for some.

-Extra Moisturize: a replenishing oil for that extra work when I sleep then I wake up all beautiful and rested...ok I wake up rested!  

Now, time to conquer these extra pounds (I start back at the gym and the South Beach diet this week).  

What is your beauty ritual?  What products have worked miracles for you?

It's Official...

I'm 40...mammogrammed out and all!

For those of you that said a mammogram is torture...hmmm...sorry. It was pretty easy to me. I do have a high pain tolerance though. Weirdo yes.

Has everyone else had their mammogram?  And yes, I'm back...for this week.  LOL (the pressure)  

Sometimes You Gots To Chill

I know it's been a few weeks but REALLY...I just had to CHILL! In my rageous age I'm learning not to sweat the small stuff and just do me. I'm enjoying me much more and remembering who I used to be, figuring out who I want (or am supposed) to be and paying attention to what God has planned for me.

So, I've taken my much needed blogging break; I'm back and much lighter (figuratively, not literally...I wish) I'll add. I'll share more in the coming days.

Until then...CHILL

My Book- Assistance Needed

I decided NOT to start a 3rd blog!  Are you freakin' kiddin' me?  I woke up a smelled the coffee?  I'm purging my life not making it more difficult.  So, this little 'ole blog of mine may have to change some but I'll figure out what the heck it is sooner or later.  Just roll with me.  In the meantime...if you didn't receive my personal email consider yourself lucky, you just get to read it here.  It is about my book.  I beg you (I don't beg often) please participate AND if you have a blog you can post something and ask people to help me out.  I would be forever in your debt!  I'll send you a book when published.  ;-)  But remember I'm pretty slow when it comes to mailing things!  LOL

Here goes it:

Call For Recession Lesson Submissions

My name is Tami; I’m an education consultant, entrepreneur, blogger, and potential adoptive single parent who has just realized (ok, maybe it's been a while) that I am about to become a parent during one of the worst economic climates in history. I worry about maintaining a stable life for my family today and tomorrow in light of all of that is going on in the world today. I know I’m not the only one with these concerns. Everyone is talking about it; someone should write a book about it in "real speak." Hey, great idea! Why don't I write that book? So, I’m reaching out to you for your assistance…I am interested in finding out how the recession has affected you.  

I don’t know about you, but the spendthrift days for me are gone. This economic setback has turned into the longest recession EVER. No one wants to use the D (depression) word for fear of a global meltdown, right??? But, I am sure we can all agree, this “recession” isn’t ending any time soon or maybe it just isn’t ending fast enough for us regular folk. Nevertheless, I’m getting used to it and have made adjustments for my new recession lifestyle. Who knew this would turn into a ”lifestyle”? However, after listening to friends, acquaintances, and the media, I realized this isn’t only my lifestyle; this is a new attitude many are taking hold of in some shape or form.  

People that once spurned thrift stores, coupons, sales, dollar nights, hand-me-downs, or anything thrifty are now looking to save a dime any way they can. So, my questions for you are:
• How has the recession changed your life and/or relationships?
• What things have you given up?
• What are you doing (examples please) to save money?
• What lessons have you learned?
• Once the economy is stable, will you return to your old habits? If so, which ones? Why?
• Have you prepared yourself for the future regardless of what it holds? Please explain.
• If you haven’t made any lifestyle adjustments, why not?

Answer one question or answer them all. Tell a story, make it funny, heartfelt or even a tearjerker, just be sure to include who, what, where, why and how the recession has affected you and how you have adjusted for it. The best advice, lessons and stories will be used as part of a book compilation of short stories about the recession. Don’t forget those cost saving examples!

Submission deadline: October 5, 2009

Include*: First Name or Initials; City, State
Email to: recessionlessons2009@gmail.com
*Optional: If interested and available for follow-up questions, please include your name, contact information, and best time to reach you.  

Thank you for your participation and for playing nicely in the sandbox with me!

Book Update

I have figured out my book!  Yes!  

Sidebar:  I met this guy online and after each point made he would put YES!  I of course never met him, very annoying and a little scary I might add.  BTTB (this texting has me all messed up)...Back to the book.

You will know more about it this week, which we know may mean next week for me.  I'm working on the book and book proposal now but in the meantime guess what?  I'm going to have another blog!  LOL  I can't keep up with the 2 I have now, but this one is a necessity for the book so If You Think You're Lonely Now: 

LOL...you can catch me at the other blog AND I do expect full participation!

Have a great weekend! Anything fun going on?

Product Review: Auriderm Illume Eye Cream

I've been on this quest to maintain my sexy.  Since turning 40, I don't want to let myself go and we all know how easy that is.  An extra helping of mashed potatoes, those cokes, daily happy hours, I'll exercise tomorrow (which rarely comes); oh, yes it is very easy to lose your sexy at 40 and older.   Ladies, I know we are tired of it all and want to do what we want to do, but we will just feel worse when it "all" creeps up on us then we bemoan when did xxx happen?  So, instead of those extra cokes, apple martinis, frappucinos and other yummy but not great for you items let's spend the money on making ourselves look and feel better.  Trust me, in the end this is much better for your self-esteem and health.

Stepping off of my soapbox.

Remember, when I went to the dermatologist for my hyperpigmentation?  I also had circles under my eyes.  Pretty (ugly) I know.  I purchased a product for that also.  I would like to report it is working wonders!  I no longer look like the other person won the fight or like a panda cub (cute as they may be).  

Auriderm Illume Eye Creme - $50

Use twice daily (with your regular eye cream) and you are good to go.  You should start seeing results in 4-6 weeks (I did).  

Auriderm is now part of my beauty arsenal!  Great product!  

Does anyone else use anything for dark circles?  

Wrong Target Market

Yesterday, I received a clothing catalog in the mail and was excited because I thought it was my beloved Anthropologie.  At second glance it wasn't, it was Urban Outfitters.  Hmmm.  I've never received a catalog from them I thought.  I haven't purchased any clothes from there since college.  I have seen some cute, funky items for my house, but clothes...no.  I wondered, how did I get on the mailing list considering I'm a little past their target marketing age.  Well, maybe there was something cute in the catalog I thought.  

Hmmmmm.  Nope!

Again.  How did they get my information?  They should ask for their money back for my name on that list they purchased.  What a rip-off!  Clearly, I'm not in their target group!  Where is my Anthropologie catalog?  

What catalogs are you waiting for?  

Urban Outfitters Early Fall '09 Catalog