Fall Decor

This week most of the schools in the area, began their new school year. When school starts that always means fall to me. Fall is my favorite season. I love to decorate for fall, inside and out. I'm trying my best to hold off until after Labor Day. We'll see!! All these things I'm finding on Pinterest, are making it very hard to wait! Annnnd nothing makes me clean more than redecorating!! Here are some of of the things I'm loving for fall decor.

I hope I can make my house look half as good as these people did. We will find out. It's taking everything I have not to go to the pumpkin patch already. I keep reminding myself that it's still August lol. It's been a rainy two days in Ohio. Perfect time to start decorating inside right? Have you started decorating yet? 

Drugstore Makeup

I'm pretty crazy about watching youtube videos about makeup, and following some ladies on keek who post fotd (face of the day) pics. Yes, it took me a minute to figure out what fotd meant, so I thought I would clarify in case you were as clueless as I was!

I love seeing what they do with makeup, because I get bored with the same look all the time. And, let's face it....I'm a stay at home mom...I need makeup in my life or I'll get frumpy in a hurry! But, in these videos most of the products are expensive. The only non-drug store products I use are the naked pallet, and naked 2 pallet, and I JUST got those in July for my birthday. I'm late to the party, I know. I know.

I thought I'd list some of the drug store products I have, and like.....in case like me, you are on a budget!

Some of these products, I really like....some I'm looking for something a little better. Let me know what you use!

Foundation: Loreal Lumi Foundation. This is NOT a full coverage foundation. It's very sheer. I am on the hunt for something with a little more coverage for fall and winter. Suggestions?

Blush: Wet n Wild Pearlescent Pink.....LOVE! :)

Eyeliner: Revlon Hipster ......I bought this after a haul I watched on the best drugstore eyeliner done by makeupgeektv on youtube. I'm not sure I have the exact one she has. It's ok....I don't really have much to compare it to. Someday I will splurge and get an eyeliner from Mac. I have also used mabeline gel liner. I like it......but mine gets clumpy....and I don't think I have the right brush or something.


 
Mascara: Loreal Beauty Tubes. I like this stuff.....but I hate that I can't get it off without being in the shower. It comes off in little balls. You literally think your eyelashes are falling out! But it's good for now.

Lipstick: I have used wet n wild because it's cheap. It DOES not stay on. Prob why it's cheap. I have also tried the loreal 24 hour stuff. The shade I have now, DOES NOT last either.....I have also tried Cover Girl color stay. Again, DOES NOT stay on. Maybe it's me?? taking suggestions for lip color!

What are your favorite drug store products? 

Debbie Downer

Lately, I feel like I'm having a hard time not throwing my struggles on anyone who will listen! I don't like being that person. We all have struggles in life, but we all also have many blessings. I'm choosing to try to focus very hard on my blessings. I have a lot of them! But, on the other hand I feel that things get better when you talk about them. Whether it be in a blog, or to a friend...whatever. It feels like when one thing in your life is out of whack, it all goes out of whack. I can't say that it's just one thing right now that I'm struggling with. It's a few things. All things that will pass, yet right now....they are on my mind constantly. Anyone ever feel like this? I don't like to be Debbie Downer.....but sometimes a girl just feels that way! I have a hard time writing about negative feelings. I feel like it makes me weak or something lol. My moms advice to me was "suck it up" thanks mom!
Being a SAHM is a tough job in its own, but it's even harder being a firefighter wife and a SAHM at the same time. My hubs is gone for days at a time. Let me tell ya, being alone with two small kids for 2 and 3 days at a time puts you in one heck of a downer mood! I start feeling very alone.
I try to keep us busy in the evenings with the park or walking/playing in our neighborhood. But, sometimes that's just not enough! This too shall pass, I'll work through my issues.....but for now....I'm still learning ways to deal!

Ok.....on to a happier note.....I had some questions about my makeup again. Love these questions!! :)
9 times out of 10 I use the naked pallet 1 or 2. I don't really have a specific go to look. Sometimes I try to match it to my outfit....sometimes I just do whatever. I know, helpful right??

In this picture, it's just an everyday look. Not heading out anywhere special. It's half baked from both the naked pallet 1 and 2 on the lid.....buck in the crease, and sin on the brow bone. I also use naked all over the lid, crease, and brow bone before I apply anything else. I feel like this is a good neutral look. And it's easy!! I've been debating about starting a YouTube channel....and showing some of these looks. We'll see!! Thank you for the questions, keep em coming!!

I'll leave you with a picture of my big boy at the fair last night!! Pure joy on his face. Love it!!!

Relax

A combination of things made me think about this post. First, hollys posts about anxiety, and letting things go. Second, our experience while trying to have lunch at a restaurant today, and third sitting here watching "table for twelve" while my boys nap.
Our lunch experience was less than perfect today. Cole had been testing our patience all morning, even while at his preschool open house. So when we got to lunch, I thought maybe he would chill. Wrong. And Drew. Ohhh Drew. He wanted down the entire time. We had to wait 20 min for a table which didn't help. He's 17 months old, being held right now is not what he wants! When he finally got a table....I gave him a snack. Usually this helps. Today, didn't help. He was crying, squirming, wanting down. The whole 9 yards. The crying is not like him though. Cole had a cold and fever earlier in the week, and now I'm thinking drew is probably getting it. Anyway, moral of this was.....stress. Well, I don't handle stress well. I get angry, and my nerves get the best of me. Even worse, the hubs does not handle kid stress well. He gets frustrated and angry and next thing you know.....we are turning on each other.
This afternoon while watching "table for 12" while my boys napped I saw them take 12 kids (2 sets of twins, and a set of sextuplets) to Hershey park. The parents never once argued. They laughed together, helped each other, handled all the kids with no stress. They had fun! That is amazing to me. The joy they had with each other made me a little sad. Why can't our outings be like that when we only have 2 kids!!! Seriously the parents on this show would have laughed at is. Like really, you think you have stress?? My goal tonight when we head to the fair....to enjoy. Not stress. Not hate my husband, and have fun. This is hard for me. My anxiety, worry, stress all have a mind of their own. But, there comes a time when you have to take control. Watching this show today really made me see that I've got to relax. Wish me luck!!

Who Are You? Part 5

Describe your relationship with your parents

Well, for starters....I'm an only child. My parents live literally 3 minutes from me. My Mom comes over everyday. No, I'm not kidding. EVERYDAY. I'm very close with my parents, and sometimes that's a problem. There are some boundary issues, lol

Where do I see myself in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years?

hmmm. I've never really thought about this! in 5 years my kids will 9 and 6. Holy moly. Both will be in school. I hope to be active in their school system. (my hubs is running for school board right now) I hope to be part of the PTA, room mom.....or whatever. Just want to be involved. We will probably also build our second home around this time.

in 10 years......my kids will be 14 and 11. I will probably either own a daycare center.....or I will be working somewhere. With both kids in school it may be time to get a job again! (we'll see, lol) Also around this time, my hubs will be eligible for retirement. Crazy, I know. But, he's been a FF/Paramedic since he was 18....and he's almost 39 now.

in 15 years....my kids will be 19 and 16. Ahhhh craziness!!! I can't even think about that! it seems nuts to me.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Not only for the true reason for the season, but for the all around feeling at this time. The giving, the family/friend togetherness, all the parties. I love the whole feeling of the season. I love the look on my kids faces, I love all of our little family traditions, and can't forget all the decorating!

What is your least favorite thing about parenthood?

I would have to say the worry that comes along with parenting. I'm a worrier to begin with, but that was nothing compared to the worry I have as a parent. I'm constantly worried they will get sick, always worrying if they are safe, worried if I'm doing the right thing, worried if I'm a good mom....and the list goes on. I've seriously developed some anxiety issues after becoming a parent. I feel like my mind never shuts off!

If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be, and why?

Princess Diana. I would love to ask her what the attraction was to Prince Charles, lol. I think she would be so interesting to talk to. She'd been so many places, and seen so many people. I'd love to hear her stories. I think she was an icon, and obviously taken way too soon.

Who are you? Part 4

Who are you? Part 4

What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
1. My boys; by far my greatest accomplishment! Love them more than words can say!
2. My husband; he was totally different than anyone from my past. Thank goodness.
3. Graduating from college
4. Owning a home by the age of 24
5. No credit card debt!! May sound crazy, but we don't even have a credit card! Used to have two, paid them off 2 yrs ago, and have never opened any more!

What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

Being content in my own skin. I have lost a lot of confidence with gaining this weight. I wish I still had the self pride I used to have!

What do you think your spouse loves most about you?

That I can take a joke. We laugh and joke with each other all the time. It would be pretty boring around here if we weren't having any fun.

How did you feel the moment you became a parent?

Scared ! Lol. I never knew that kind of love existed. I have never been so worried, or so in love with anything in my life.

Describe 3 significant childhood memories

1. Family vacations with our best friends. Most of the time to myrtle beach
2. My grandparents apple orchard. I remember "helping" with the apples with my cousins every evening.
3. Being excited every Friday night to go to the football games. We always went even when I was in elementary school. I couldn't wait for Friday night! Felt like such a big kid!

Who are you? Part 3

Who are you ? Part 3

Describe 10 pet peeves you have

1. Grammar! When people misuse your, you're....to, too, two......there, their, they're. I hate that!!! I know we are all human and I make mistakes too. But, please for all that is good and holy....please learn the difference between all these!!
2. Spelling. This drives me almost as nuts as grammar. In this day and age, there is no excuse for simple, everyday words to be spelled incorrectly. Spell check is everywhere. Use it people! I bet you'd never guess that I have a minor in English.
3. I know I'll be shunned from the blog world for this but the phrase "sorry not sorry" makes me a little nutty!!
4. I don't like the "fishing fb posts" things like "just so over it" to me that is fishing. You want people to ask you what's wrong, or what's going on......just post what you're over and save everyone the time.
5. Fingerprints drive me crazy! Fingerprints are everywhere in my house because I have a 4 year old,and a 1 year old. The little one paws up everything! Every window, every stand, the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher! Ahhh....seriously kid keep your hands to yourself! lol.
6. When my hubs is so kind to clean up the kitchen after dinner, he doesn't clean off the counter tops. To me, that is not CLEANING the kitchen up.....that's loading the dishwasher, lol
7. I can't park my tahoe without making sure the steering wheel is straight.
8. Socks and sandals. Enough said.
9. I hate that there are toys in every room of our house, even though our basement is the designated toy room.
10. Dishes in the sink!

Describe a typical day in your life

I wake up, get dressed, and do my makeup for the day. By the time I'm done with that Cole is up. I lay out his clothes for the day, he gets dressed, and brushes his teeth. Then Drew is up, and we do the same thing. we go downstairs and everyone eats breakfast. After that.....we usually run our errands for the day. Grocery store, bank, or whatever. After that, Drew is usually ready for a nap. While he takes a nap, Cole plays, and I clean up the house. When Drew wakes up....we go outside to play, go for a walk, go to the toy room in the basement and play....sometimes we do all 3. Depending on the day, sometimes we have play dates. If it's a day that my hubs comes home in the evening....we start getting dinner ready about 5.....so that it's ready when he comes home at 6:15. After dinner, we all go outside or for a walk. Once a week we meet my hubs dad for dinner. If it's a day that my hubs doesn't come home.....the kids and I will sometimes go to my parents to visit in the evening, or meet one of my friends and her kids at the park. About 7:30 I give both boys a bath.....then they come back downstairs for a snack, and then at 9:00 they both go to bed. That's when I get my "me time" I watch tv......blog, like I'm doing now.....or just relax.

What's the hardest part of growing up?

The hardest part about growing up for me was financial. Learning how to save money, learning to keep up with bills.....just being responsible with money. It's a huge responsibility. Some people are good with money, some people aren't. I am not good at saving. I wouldn't say I'm a big spender but  I've never been disciplined enough to put money back. My hubs is putting money in our savings all the time.....thank goodness....because I'm a bad saver, lol I don't go on spending sprees or anything like that....just never been good at saving money. I think I blame my parents for this, lol. They are wealthy, and have always been excellent with money. Growing up (high school) I worked from the time I was 16....but I was never in control of my own money. My parents took my paychecks each week and paid what bills I had for me. I hated that....but that's the way it was in my house. Didn't really teach me anything, lol

5 Weaknesses I have:
1. I'm a pushover
2. I have a hard time sticking to things. No matter what they are. Weightloss, blogging, eating right, etc. I do it for a while, then stop. then start again
3. I don't treat myself with the respect I deserve
4. I let others get the best of me
5. I have a hard time leaving my kids for any amount of time

5 Strengths I have
1. I'm a good mom
2. I'm a lover, not a fighter lol
3. I like to think I have a big heart. I would help a total stranger if they needed it
4. I feel that I am easy to talk to
5. I put others before myself

Describe when you knew your spouse was the one, or when you fell in love

I wouldn't say it was love at first sight.....but I knew there was something about my hubs the first night I met him. I told my mom the next day that I was going to marry him, and her exact words were "you may date him, but you won't marry him' this was before she had met him, and she said this because of our age difference. (8.5 years ) We had been dating 3 months before he said the "L" word. But, I had been thinking it before that. I loved that he didn't play games.There were no, I'll call you...then not calling. He treated me like I deserved to be treated from the very beginning,. He wanted to spend time with me.....and that was all new to me. His sense of humor was a big factor, in me falling in love. He always made me laugh, and he still does. He is the most loving man I've ever met....he's an excellent dad, and husband. He always puts us first. Just the simple fact, that I believed what he told me when we were dating, was huge for me. It was a whole new world. I always tell him he saved my life. He really did. He changed me. I had terrible luck with BOYS before him! :)

Who Are You? Part 2

 

6. If you could have 3 wishes, what would you wish for?


1. No more sickness! Healthy, happy people all around!
2. For everyone in this world to have enough money for what they need. I'm not talking luxuries, I mean for all those people who struggle to put food on the table...for their job to pay them enough that they won't struggle anymore.
3. I wish that you could visit heaven, and see all your friends and family whenever you wanted to.

7. What is your dream job, and why?

My dream job is to own a daycare/preschool center. I have looked at many buildings in the past, and just never took the chance. The overhead is just so much. But, someday....once my kids start school I think we will revisit this idea. Right now, I just don't want my kids to have to grow up in it, if that makes sense. With a new business, I would have to be there all the time. I just don't want that for my kids right now. Then after it's opened a few years, and on its feet.....I want to pay people to run it, lol. I will be the owner, and still make all the decisions but, I want to only be there when I want to be there. (which would still probably be a lot) I just want the freedom of having quality people on my side to take care of things when I'm not there. Why is this my dream job? Because through college, and even out of college I worked in many daycares, and I can honestly say that there is only one that I would have ever considered sending my own children to. Daycare workers are highly underpaid, and most of the time over educated for what they are allowed to do with the kids. I was working in a daycare center with a bachelors degree making $11 an hour. Ummm no thanks. My goal would be to have quality employees, and make it worth their time. If you pay people crap, crap people will apply. Sorry, but that's the truth! I worked many years for no money, because I love children. So basically, I want employees just like me! haha! :) No that doesn't mean I want them to work cheap....I would pay them for what they do! I want to make it worth their time, to be great at what they do. I believe the way people are treated impacts the way they perform most definitely. I want my center to be a place, that I would have no problem leaving my own children in. This coming from someone who has never let anyone watch my boys besides my parents!

8. What are 5 passions you have?

1. Children
2. Writing
3. Cars
4. Music
5. Reading

9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe why
1. My Dad. He's a successful business owner, worked hard, and is self made. To meet him, you'd never know what he does for a living, and you'd never know the amount of money he has. He's very modest, and down to earth. He helps others without a thought, and is an excellent employer. He pays his employees well, and offers them good benefits. He takes care of his company.
2. My Mom. She influences me just about everyday whether it's in a good way, or a bad way. lol. She influences me to clean my house, haha. Her thoughts a lot of times become my thoughts whether I like it or not.
3. My husband. He changed my life when I met him. For the better of course. He works hard, and it lets me see that hard work pays off. He always made me see that I am worth way more than I thought I was. That I deserve to be loved.  soo sappy, lol
4. My Grandma. She worked, took care of 2 kids, and a house. My grandpa worked a lot, so she was on her own a lot of the time. I admire her for taking care of the finances, as well as being a working mom for many years. Making it to all the functions for the kids, and still getting dinner on the table every night. She influences me, to see that I can do it, and when my hubs isn't here....there is no time to sit any bellyache about it.....you do what you gotta do.
5. My boys. They make me strive to be a better person and mother everyday. They make my life worth living. They bring me so much joy, and so much stress!! I couldn't imagine my life without them. They are my everything.
That's all I have. I don't really have any famous people who have influenced me, or anything like that. Just my little ole family.

My hubs

My parents

My Grandma

Cole and Daddy at the Memorial Day Parade

My loves

10.Describe your most embarrassing moment

When my husband and I first started dating, we were laying on the couch together.....and I sneezed, and something else happened at the same time! Yikes! I thought I would die of embarrassment. It was terrible, but I lived through it.....and so did he! lol

Who Are You? Linkup!

I'm joining kimmy in answering some questions. I thought it sounded fun, and well lets face it,  I love link-ups!
 
1. List 20 random facts about yourself
1. I'm 30
2. I have 2 sons
3. I've been married for 5 years
4. We got engaged after only 10 months of dating.
5. My hubs is 8.5 yrs older than me
6. I'm an only child
7. I hated being an only child
8. My favorite color is purple
9. I'm very emotional
10. I love cars, and know every make and model.
11. I love music
12. My iPod ranges from Boston, Styx, poison, Aerosmith, a bunch of country, to a bunch of rap
13. I want to lose 60 pounds
14. I love makeup and hair
15. I went to Kent State University
16. I'm a morning person
17. I live in Ohio
18. I'm obsessed w dog the bounty hunter, and his son Leland
19. I love reality tv
20. I'm sometimes a fb creeper

2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and why they become fears

1. Cancer. I have a fear of me, or someone close to me getting cancer. It's everywhere, seems to be caused by everything, and there are constantly commercials, or posts on fb about it. It scares me, because I see it everywhere. I cannot even read the posts about children. I can't take it. It has become a thought in my head on a daily basis.

2. Car accidents. I worry when driving with my kids. I'm not worried about my driving, I'm worried about the other idiots out there. Maybe this is because my hubs is a paramedic and goes on tons of accidents....so I know they happen close to home, and they happen a lot. Whatever the reason, I don't like it!

3. Not losing this weight, and gaining more. I seriously am afraid that I will never get what it takes to get this weight off. I have a fear that I will just keep gaining and gaining. The amount I have to lose, scares me. I keep asking myself "are you tired of being this way yet?" I must not be or it would be gone by now!

3. Describe your relationship with your spouse

Hmm, our relationship is different than most. My hubs is gone A LOT. He's working, nothing crazy like going to bars or anything. We don't see each other much, like for 3 days at a time sometimes. When he is home, we are slightly disconnected because we both have our own routines. He has things he needs to get done when he's home, like mow the grass, and sleep lol. It is not an exaggeration when I say we NEVER have time alone. There are periods when I feel like a single mom! But, he works so hard for us, and I'm so thankful for him! Regardless of how much we see each other, there is still a lot of love in our marriage. We are happy.....stressed at times, but happy. He's the most loving man I've ever met. He gives so much, thankful for him every single day, the love of my life for sure.

4. List 10 things I would tell my 16 yr old self
1. He will never be "the one"
2. Half of these people will amount to nothing
3. You probably won't be friends with half of these people after high school
4. You are so skinny!
5. Getting good grades is worth it, but yeah you're right....you won't use most of this stuff later
6. Stop being such a pushover! You're better than that!
7. You are smarter than you think
8. Be patient.
9. You deserve better!
10. There is so much more to life than high school,

5. List 5 things that make you happy right now

1. My boys. My whole world
2. My hubs. Love him
3. Being a SAHM
4. My family.
5. Duck dynasty reruns.