Saturday, February 27, 2010

Serial Entrepreneur

That's what my husband calls me...

Here are my business ideas that I wholly intend to go through with one day.

  • Pre-made and Custom-made Scrapbooks and Scrapbook pages
  • Military ACU purses, totes, diaper bags, wallets, checkbook covers, etc.
  • In home daycare for newborns - 18 months (maybe older)
  • Bath salts, gels, soaps, lotions, and fizzes
  • Pet sitting (and Doggy/Kitty daycare once we retire and buy a house with land)
  • Temptations Parties - Tupperware party for adults *wink* Sponsored by Adam & Eve and Sinclair sex educators
I have names for some of them...
  • Custom Made Memories
  • Bragg Bags (I am still deciding on this one but I like the play on words)
  • Mother Hubbard's Nursery
  • Not sure on this one yet but something to do with a Bible verse and salt
  • Haven't thought of a name for this one
  • Temptations (not gonna change their name to fit me I don't think)
I do have some questions for you ladies. Prices... I am doing the scrapbooks and purses because I think the ones offered online right now are too much to pay. Would you pay the prices I am proposing?

Item Price

8 oz Bath Fizz $5.00
8 oz Scented Lotion $6.00
8 oz Shower Gel $6.00
8 oz Bath Salt $5.00

Item Price
8X8 Album Ready Made 20 pages $40.00
12X12 Album Ready Made 20 pages $50.00
8X8 Album Custom Made 20 pages $60.00
12X12 Album Custom Made 20 pages $80.00
8X8 Album Ready Made 50 pages $70.00
12X12 Album Ready Made 50 pages $90.00
8X8 Album Custom Made 50 pages $120.00
12X12 Album Custom Made 50 pages $150.00
8X8 Page $2.00
12X12 Page $4.00

Item Price
Hobo Purse $20.00
Large Purse $35.00
Tote $50.00
Diaper Bag $60.00

The only ones I'm not really sure about are the higher end scrapbooks but the competitors are charging $300-$600 for only 10 pages! That is outrageous to me!
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Posted by Jeannette at 9:33 PM View Comments

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Joy of Cooking with Mystery Meat

DH and I qualify for a free food box each month now that little bit is here (which by the way is such a blessing!) and each month we get canned goods, rice, beans, dry milk and frozen meat. Well in December we got what I was sure was a ham. We got an identical wrapped, unmarked meat this month so I thawed out the ham from our Christmas box and put the new one in the freezer.

I took it out of the fridge today, cut it open, determined that it was a whole ham and went online to make sure I cooked it to the correct temperature. I even put it on my scale to see how much it weighed! lol I baked it for 4 hours and broiled it for 20 minutes. I took it out of the oven and stuck the meat thermometer in the middle. It read at the correct temp and was golden brown on the outside. It looked wonderful!

I cut into it and it was white! Ham is pink... I brought it over to DH and he began eating his "ham". After he had eaten a whole chunk of it he looked down and said "Um hun, I don't think this is ham." I laughed so hard. Our ham was a turkey! At least we like turkey better and its more healthy. It was so funny none the less!

By the way... I have like 2 bags and 4 cartons of dry milk in my cabinet that I have no idea what to do with. I know I can bake goodies with it but what else? Anyone know any good sauce recipes or yummy snacks?
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Posted by Jeannette at 9:43 PM View Comments

Yay Litte Bit!!!















OUR SON JUST PURPOSELY TOUCHED SOMETHING!!!

He is 11 weeks old and just realized for the first time if he punches the monkey hanging over him it moves. So he punched it again! and again! I am so excited!!!!

YAY LITTLE BIT!
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Work or Bible Study/Fellowship?


My husband called today with excellent news! Another army wife needs daycare for her 5 month old son. I have worked in daycares for nearly 13 years and one day planned on opening up our house for care. It's great because I could earn extra income, be home with Little Bit, and he would have a "friend" that is only 2 months older than he is. In about 3 months Little Bit would be old enough to play with this other little boy.

The only drawback of course is that I would need to be home from 7am-EOB (end of business) which is normally 6pmish. That would mean I can no longer go to my Bible study on post. I was really hoping to build those relationships so that I would have support, and have people to support, when our husbands deploy next year. I will still have church on Sundays and I guess I could look into finding a Sunday school class to join but that is sort of a bummer.

Another plus and minus is that I still have half a house (that can be blocked off) that is not in any way baby safe...boxes are piled to the ceiling. Although, I suppose this would force me to unpack and clean everything up quicker so the boys could play in the real living room and not in the room I call a living room, but is really the dining room. (Eventually it will be a sitting room.)

He said that she needed care starting on Monday so if she still needs someone, approves of me and my home, and decides I would be a good caregiver I only have 3 days to tell her yay or nay. What do you think? It does seem like a really good opportunity. I guess I just worry that if I take it and give up on the woman's fellowship I will become secluded and lose my way with God again. In what ways can I stay connected and still grow in my faith while staying home all day? I know it isn't any different than women who work 9-5s everyday but they normally have adult interactions at work. Working with infants can become very secluding at times. Perhaps I can host a nightly Bible study at my house or on post somewhere for working ladies?
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Posted by Jeannette at 2:36 PM View Comments

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Need Help Choosing!

I am entering our son in a "Cutest Baby" contest and I can't decide which picture I like better. Which do you think it cuter?

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I am Beautiful

I think all to often we as women look at our faults under a microscope but refuse to look at what is so wonderful about ourselves. I am guilty of this daily. I decided last night that I would make an award to remind women that You Are Beautiful! As not to be a hypocrite, I have given the award to myself first. If I am going to ask you to find your shining attributes... I better sit down and think up my own too huh? If you would like to use this award on your page please feel free to. You can simply copy the picture's location and add it to your blog. Here are the "Rules" for using the award though. You have to tell yourself that you are beautiful and then write down at least 9 things you like about yourself. (Just cuz' 9 is my favorite number. :P) Easy enough, right? Now look in that mirror and repeat after me... "I am beautiful!"




1) I love my feet! They are long, slender and have dainty, high arches.
2) I have pretty green eyes.
3) I love how my hair does this perfect little flip sometimes when I put it in a ponytail.
4) I love my high cheekbones.
5) My eyebrows have a pretty arch to them...when I bother to keep them waxed.
6) I have long fingers that make my hands look elegant.
7) My nails are strong, grow fast, and have a natural "french tip" look to them.
8) I like my breasts. LOL I had a reduction several years ago and, now that they don't hurt my back, I can appreciate my cleavage.
9) I think my philtral (that indention in the middle of your upper lip) is pretty, especially when I "come hither" and pout.
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Monday, February 22, 2010

Grabbing an Award...

Noel at Issued to a Soldier gave the suggestion to grab her award and respond with 10 random facts about myself. Here goes...
1) I did 10 loads of laundry today, scaling the stairs 14 times! ALL of our laundry is finally done (including everything I unpacked from storage).

2) Something about these running shoes makes me want to hop around and exercise! I am wearing them right now.

3) I collect hippos... not real ones, although one day I hope to adopt a real live hippo. It is only about $100 to adopt him so I can go visit anytime I want for free.

4) I love pink. I'm almost obsessed with it but I don't wear it often. My file cabinet, laptop, shoes, blankets, and several decoration pieces are pale pink.

5) I've been blogging again for about 3 days and it has become my TV Tropes. If you don't know what that is... do NOT look it up! It is a group of infinite pages linked together that are soo addictive to read. DH is on them all the time.

6) I have had 4 major surgeries but have never had a minor sprain, break or fracture. *knocks on wood*

7) I've been working in childcare for nearly 13 years yet taking care of my son is still confusing.

8) I LOVE being an Army wife!

9) I am allergic to nearly everything... seriously. Wheat, corn, rice, soy, tomatoes, peanuts, plants and trees of all kinds, all molds, dander and dandruff. I even sneeze at myself in the winter when my dandruff gets bad. I have to change my shampoo each year to avoid it. The only food I can't eat however is peanut. It used to be my favorite food evar!

10) I talk like Lolcats sometimes... I say Bear like Bar and Bad like Bayd... and also say has instead of have and "hers" instead if she. DH thinks its cute as long as I do it sparingly.

I only have 1 follower for the time being so I guess I have no one to send this award to. I'll hold on to it until I find a friend to award it too.
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Posted by Jeannette at 8:47 PM View Comments

Want to be Friends?


Hello out there? Will you be my follower? While you are at it... check out the blogs I follow. They are mostly Army Wives, Cooks, Writers, Photographers, and Scrapbookers.

UPDATE: So I noticed my new layout doesn't have the bar at top that lets you easily follow me. Bummer. You can still go to the follower section and click from there. Maybe I will get a new layout (cuz I like that feature) or figure out how to add it to my existing layout. I am learning quite a bit of HTML on here. *pats herself on the back*
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Posted by Jeannette at 7:03 PM View Comments

My 10 Guilty Pleasures

Hmmm... as inspired by Yummy Mummy....

1) Naps! Now that little bit is here, sometimes I sneak home after taking DH to work and go right back to bed.

2) Milano Cookies - I LOVE the mint and dark chocolate ones. Sam's Club has 4 bags for less than $6! They are normally $3-$4 a bag.

3) Heels - I adore heels even though my feet hurt when I wear them. I'll just have to toughen up! (and get pedicures...) I love a classic black high heel. It makes me feel like a sexy housewife from the 20's.

4) Pedicures and Manicures - I get maybe 4 a year but when I go to get one I indulge myself. I get the massage, I soak in the foot bath or hand bowl, and I try to find salons with massage chairs. I prefer simple french paint on my natural nails but sometimes a coat or pink or red is just the thing to make me feel sexy!

5) Chocolate - My husband would claim, but I think a bit of dark chocolate is just the thing for your mood and health.

6) Sexy Bras and Panties - No one knows I am wearing them, but they give me a huge boost to my confidence.

7) Cute Socks and Shoes - I have a collection of cute socks and tennies. I have a pair of tennis shoes that are white with red laces and little embroidered cherries on the sides. I feel like skipping when I wear those.

8) Scrapbook Supplies - "I swear I will actually create a scrapbook with that mound of stuff one day, honey." I actually plan on making pre-made and custom made scrapbooks to sell... one day. Sewing is in this category too.

9) Shopping! - In person and on Amazon. I LOVE buying things but I don't like spending money so I usually come home with a bag of "It cost X originally honey, guess what I paid for it?!... half that!"

10) Chick Flicks - I know a lot of women have this one but there was a time when I was so sad that only Under the Tuscan Sun could bring me out of it. I watched it nearly every day while DH was in BCT and AIT.

What are yours? Comment here or do like I did and blog on your page and send me the link. I would love to read yours!
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Posted by Jeannette at 6:39 PM View Comments

Help Me Win a Sony Reader for My Hubby Please



So Yummy Mummy is giving away a Sony reader in celebration of her hubby's new job! Hurray for Stonewall! Would y'all please visit her site and let her know in the comments box here that you read about the give away on my blog? If you tell her what book you would download (and other criteria she has listed) you could be entered to win too.

I would really love this reader for my husband for when he deploys next year. He is an avid reader and of course can't take books with him (at least not enough to keep him busy). It would save us the $400 or however much the Nook costs if I won it for him. Plus, we could read books together and talk about them in letters/e-mail/and online to keep the love alive.

Thank you everyone. I don't really have any followers... but maybe someone will see this and take the time?
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Posted by Jeannette at 6:28 PM View Comments

P90X - Take 2


Only days after receiving my P90X in the mail I discovered I was pregnant. Well obviously I couldn't start P90X while with child... but now I have been cleared by my OB/GYN and PCM to do any PT I am comfortable doing. I am going to start out slow and plan to take 6 months like I had originally planned to complete the program. This means I will be doing the whole program twice...or three times if I need to. I will post updates and pictures along the way for accountability. Thanks anyone for encouragement and advice. Here are four reference pictures:








My Goal: 140lbs, 6 years ago in High School









About 2 years ago at 170lbs.












At my heaviest (Not counting the pregnancy) - 240lbs








Me Now - 3 months post pregnancy, 220lbs
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Posted by Jeannette at 5:44 PM View Comments

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Hello Again!

Ok... so I kinda forgot about my blogs. Sorry. Well, lets see if I can quickly catch you up.

DH finished AIT and we moved back to Midland, Texas. Yet again I watched him pack all his belongings and board a plane. I did better that time but cried just the same. It was months before I saw him again. A couple days before he left we discovered our little bundle was to be a boy! While he was gone he was looking for a house for the four of us (Shadow was in a kennel the whole time I was in Midland) and I had a baby shower thrown for us. It was really fun but I missed my husband so much. Finally it was my turn to board the plane! I flew for nearly 20 hours to our new home of Fairbanks, Alaska 7 months pregnant and with cat in tow. It wasn't too bad... at least not once I landed and saw my husband! He presented me with my gift that night. While I was still in Texas he bought us a new car, my dream car but refused to tell me the color. We walked out to the parking lot and he led me to a midnight blue 07 Toyota Highlander. It was perfect! It had all the room and safety features I wanted.

We stayed in an extended stay hotel for 2 months. It was alright. It was about the size of my efficacy apartment in Sierra Vista. It had a stove top and microwave but no oven. My pregnancy got worse and worse though. The pain in my hips grew worse every night and it was a nightly struggle to cry myself asleep. I started taking night baths which helped some. Soon after that I learned I had gestational diabetes but thankfully that was well controlled with diet alone. Toward the end I was even able to eat whatever I wanted and my numbers were still in normal ranges. One month before the baby was due we moved into our new home without a spec of furniture. Slept on a blow up bed for a month and DH slept on the floor. My hips stopped hurting while I was on the blow up bed at least...but it was hard to get in and out of. We had to replace it twice because it got holes in it. Airbeds are meant to be used nightly. Finally our household goods (HHG) arrived and I thought we had a couple more weeks to unpack.

Nope! I went in for a standard weekly test and my blood pressure was high so they Dr said I needed to come in for an induction the next Thursday. That gave us 3 short days to prepare for our son. It was not enough time. He is nearly 3 months old and we still don't have everything ready for him. My parents bought him a crib and we had things from our baby shower but his nursery has boxes in it and half of the house is cluttered in boxes. I hope we can have it all unpacked and cleaned up before he is mobile. The birth did not go well. To sum it up, I labored for 2 days, had a snowball of interventions, almost died because my blood pressure dropped to dangerous levels (I would have died had my BP cuff not gone off at the minute -it was set for once every 10 minutes- and DH hadn't have been watching and called a nurse), and then finally had a c-section. They did everything I didn't want to me and our son. It was fairly traumatic and I suffered a really bad bout of postpartum depression, but I am getting through it and am just happy that I have a healthy son now. We call him Little Bit. He lost a lot of weight from the interventions during his birth and was unable to breastfeed because the Drs wanted him supplemented ASAP. He is now 16lbs and 22 inches long. He is a big boy!
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Posted by Jeannette at 7:26 PM View Comments
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