Have any of you been contacted to review a product? I have gotten a few emails over the last few months to review products where I get a product for free and one to give out. And I have been sceptical about it because nothing comes for free. And seriously? Someone wants me to talk about their product and give it away?
So my question is: How do you know if it's legit? And do I just go with it?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Freedom
This is sort of three stories in 1. I'll try and keep it short and sweet.
1) Our mortgage used to be with Bank of America. I really hate that bank. I've never had a good experience with them and their customer service stinks. At least every time I've called. And I did a happy dance the day we found out our mortgage was sold. No freakin' joke.
2) Our family goal is to be credit card debt free in 6 months with budgeted extra payments. Maybe sooner with our tax return.
3 A) Our new mortgage company is AMAZING and 3 B) OUR CREDIT CARD IS PAID OFF!!
Slightly Longer Version:
While we were with BofA J called several times to get our interest rate lowered under the Service Members Civil Relief Act (e-mail me if you have any questions about what this is). And they refused. Time and time again. And it didn't matter how many times J faxed in his active duty orders, a copy of his ID, a letter from his skipper, and countless other items. And every time they would respond with "I'm sorry, you are a reservist." Um... Are you kidding me?!
Then our mortgage was sold. And I did a happy dance. And about a week ago we got a letter from our new company. A letter saying that upon review of our account they determined that our interest rate was to be lowered and apologized that it had not been lowered sooner. Then they gave us a check for the last two years of interest that we overpaid.
{Insert singing choirs here - and me jumping up and down}
And with this interest check we paid off our last and only credit card.
{Insert singing choirs here - and me jumping up and down}
And so there is my story. One goal down. We are FREE!!!
1) Our mortgage used to be with Bank of America. I really hate that bank. I've never had a good experience with them and their customer service stinks. At least every time I've called. And I did a happy dance the day we found out our mortgage was sold. No freakin' joke.
2) Our family goal is to be credit card debt free in 6 months with budgeted extra payments. Maybe sooner with our tax return.
3 A) Our new mortgage company is AMAZING and 3 B) OUR CREDIT CARD IS PAID OFF!!
Slightly Longer Version:
While we were with BofA J called several times to get our interest rate lowered under the Service Members Civil Relief Act (e-mail me if you have any questions about what this is). And they refused. Time and time again. And it didn't matter how many times J faxed in his active duty orders, a copy of his ID, a letter from his skipper, and countless other items. And every time they would respond with "I'm sorry, you are a reservist." Um... Are you kidding me?!
Then our mortgage was sold. And I did a happy dance. And about a week ago we got a letter from our new company. A letter saying that upon review of our account they determined that our interest rate was to be lowered and apologized that it had not been lowered sooner. Then they gave us a check for the last two years of interest that we overpaid.
{Insert singing choirs here - and me jumping up and down}
And with this interest check we paid off our last and only credit card.
{Insert singing choirs here - and me jumping up and down}
And so there is my story. One goal down. We are FREE!!!
Monday, February 6, 2012
5 Questions + De-Lurk {re-try}
Meredeth from La Buena Vida posts a BQOTD {burning question of the day} and I loved her questions plus she did a de-lurk along with it. And I'm totally copying her {because I loved it!!} So without further adu:
Today's Burning Question(s) of the Day:
1. What was the last thing you read?
2. What was the last thing you ate?
3. What time did you go to bed last night?
4. If you had $100 that you had to spend today, not put towards debt or savings, what would you buy? 5.What's one major thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I'd love to hear from you. I know most people don't stop to comment, but I'd really appreciate it if you do!!
P.S Yes this is try number two for this post... I tried to post from my iPad and as you can see... It didn't work. Thank you for commenting!
Today's Burning Question(s) of the Day:
1. What was the last thing you read?
2. What was the last thing you ate?
3. What time did you go to bed last night?
4. If you had $100 that you had to spend today, not put towards debt or savings, what would you buy? 5.What's one major thing you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I'd love to hear from you. I know most people don't stop to comment, but I'd really appreciate it if you do!!
P.S Yes this is try number two for this post... I tried to post from my iPad and as you can see... It didn't work. Thank you for commenting!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
February Goals
Oh My... January flew by. And I am pretty sure that my goals did not get accomplished. Oh well... It's a new month. Here we go!
January Goals:
- Clean up closet and dressers. Fail. I set all of my hangers backwards....that's about it.
- Take old living room items to the thrift store. Done!
- Stay on budget - especially groceries and Costco! Fail... Lots of extra spending. February is officially a no spend month.
- Make more baby food - I've bought apples and pears that need to be made. I would like to make green beans as well. Plus he needs more sweet potatoes and squash. Completed! Made pears and apples, squash, yams, and sweet potatoes. I also have a Costco bag of peas that need to be done this weekend.
- Save for a chest freezer. Done! We ended up with a brand new freezer and it is glorious! And on budget.
- Start getting together our tax forms. All together. Just need one more form printed out {I think} and I have convinced hubs to go on base for FREE.
- Blog more! (Thinking two days a week for sure.) Comment more on other blogs. I read all of the blogs I follow, but almost never comment. Eh...Fail. More posts {sort of} but not a lot of comments.
So... Not really where I want to be... and I could give some excuses, but I'm not going to. On to this month.
February Goals:
- No Spend Month. For real. Only budgeted items.
- Clean.up.dresser. This is getting ridiculous.
- Make some more items from pintrest {cooking, crafting, organizing, or cleaning!}
- Blog more {2x per week} comment more {one per day}
- Freezer meals. J may or may not be leaving soon. And I need to be prepared. And I have a freezer!
Short and sweet. Februarys a short month, and I know we can make it. What are your goals?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A full nights sleep
How glorious that would be. Oh baby, I wish you would sleep thru the night....
The day after I posted that H was only waking up once a night around 4:30 or so was the day he stopped doing that. Oh we are now up 2+ times per night. And that does not include the times that he semi wakes himself up and cries in his sleep. All he wants is his pacifier. And I don't want to spend the next 17 years waking up twice a night to put in a pacifier.
I am torn. It was so easy when he was 10 days old to let him cry it out in his crib {CIO}. I firmly believe that this is why he is so easy to put to bed. But I can't seem to get on board with letting him CIO in the middle of the night. But I am really not sure what my other option is. It feels like keep doing what I am doing, or let him cry. I've started waiting it out when he just makes noises at night. I wait for him to actually cry before I go out of bed. I would love for him to be able to soothe himself back to sleep. But he either can't find or doesn't wake up enough to find his paci himself.
We noticed that he sleeps better {or naps better} when he is warmer. So he sleeps with a blanket and warm jammies. I don't know if we need to place a heater in his room or what.
I'm at a loss. I want to sleep. I want my baby to sleep soundly and be well rested. But I am just not sure how to do it. I feel like we just keep waiting for the day that he sleeps thru the night... and we just aren't there.
The day after I posted that H was only waking up once a night around 4:30 or so was the day he stopped doing that. Oh we are now up 2+ times per night. And that does not include the times that he semi wakes himself up and cries in his sleep. All he wants is his pacifier. And I don't want to spend the next 17 years waking up twice a night to put in a pacifier.
I am torn. It was so easy when he was 10 days old to let him cry it out in his crib {CIO}. I firmly believe that this is why he is so easy to put to bed. But I can't seem to get on board with letting him CIO in the middle of the night. But I am really not sure what my other option is. It feels like keep doing what I am doing, or let him cry. I've started waiting it out when he just makes noises at night. I wait for him to actually cry before I go out of bed. I would love for him to be able to soothe himself back to sleep. But he either can't find or doesn't wake up enough to find his paci himself.
We noticed that he sleeps better {or naps better} when he is warmer. So he sleeps with a blanket and warm jammies. I don't know if we need to place a heater in his room or what.
I'm at a loss. I want to sleep. I want my baby to sleep soundly and be well rested. But I am just not sure how to do it. I feel like we just keep waiting for the day that he sleeps thru the night... and we just aren't there.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Q&A
Kaylee from Max & Kalee tagged me in a Q&D that has been floating around. I am excited to be included, mostly because while I don't personally know Kaylee, she is one of the sweetest people I follow. And because this is helping me fulfill one of my goals for the month. Blogging more! Thank Kaylee!!
Rules
1. Post the rules (and link up who tagged you).
2. Post eleven facts about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you, and create eleven new questions for those you tag.
4. Tag however many people you want.
5. Let them know you tagged them!
11 Facts about myself
1. I never ever wanted to be a military wife. Ever. Couldn't imagine it. And now, with Josh in the military I can't imagine my life any different. While this may not be his forever career (or maybe is it) I am enjoying it.
2. Being a SAHM would be much more difficult for me than being a working mom. I admire those that stay at home but know that it's not for me. I wish that I liked being home more than I do.
3. I was a cheerleader in high school and loved it (minus the drama). If there was an adult tumbling class close by I would have a membership. I would be in way better shape than if I just joined a gym.
4. I have an addiction to goodies. Seriously. I could eat sugar/candy/crap with any meal of the day (or for any meal). The night doesn't feel complete if I haven't had an oreo, pudding or something else. And sadly while I still have a fast metabolism, it's slowing down. And some how the oreo diet hasn't been giving me the six pack I thought it would.
5. I am much more scared have a second child and be on maternity leave than I am to actually push said second child out of my lady parts (not that I am currently or trying to get pregnant!)
6.I love to be outdoors. This is not something I necessarily loved when I was growing up, but came into in high school. I love camping, wake boarding, rafting, paddle boarding, sun tanning, BBQing, and picnicking. That being said, we hardly make it any where outdoors-y and not only do we live in the Pacific Northwest, but we live by the water! What is wrong with us?!
7. In middle school I wanted to be a vet. One day there was a girls only science trip. On said science trip we were looking at slides of X-Ray'd dog bones. I fainted. Needless to say the vet career was short lived.
8. I have perfect 20/20 vision, but still own glasses because I think they are cute. One day when I actually HAVE to wear glasses, I am going to curse myself for wanting them.
9. Put me in a room full of people who don't know each other and I will be the loudest one in the bunch. I will be making friends and be a social butterfly. Put me in a room full of people where pretty much every one already knows each other and I can hardly speak. I get so nervous and shy. Strange how that happens.
10. I wish that I was 2 inches shorter and my feet were one size smaller. Goes to show you that you always want what you can't have.
11. I wish that I had a big sister. One that was cool, and taught me how to dress and do my hair and make up. One that gave advice and was my best friend. Instead of a big sister I have 2 besties, a MoLaw, Auntie, and a Mama. Plus pintrest and facebook. I think I'm doing alright. Thought I really could have used one of them in my awkward 6th grade thru Sophomore year. Oh well, I survived!
Questions for tagged friends
1. What is your favorite food? Anything that can be found at a BBQ - corn, baked beans, coleslaw, hamburgers, and of course baked goodies!
2. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? ohh.... I hate this question!! There are so many good answers. Well--- I would pay off my house for sure. Then I would give to charities and family members to take some of the stress off of them. I would want to travel (some where WARM and also Europe). And to be honest, I would probably keep working. Unless I had enough money to keep me entertained every day.
3. What is your favorite accessory? I am horrible at accessorizing. But my favorite necklace is a Tiffany and Co. necklace I got at my bridal shower. It has an infinity symbol. It's my favorite thing to wear because it symbolizes to me that my marriage is forever.
4. If you had a "day off", what would you do? Sleep in. Drink lots of coffee. Read a book. Cuddle up on my couch and open up all my windows so I could see out side. Have no responsibilities. No house to clean, no laundry calling my name, no babies to tend to, and no husband to answer to. But really, I would only like that for about a day. I like the break but I love my life.
5. Where would you love to travel to? My standard answer is Maui. It's my hubs and I's favorite place. Plus our honeymoon site. I would also like to go to Mexico, Canada, the UK, Germany (again!) and Italy.
6. If I came to visit you, where would you take me? I would take you to Deception Pass, Pike's Place Market, and Fort Casey. There are many more parks here that I haven't been to that are just at beautiful. Plus the park on base is absolutely gorgeous. Oh - and I really want to try out the water park and Great Wolf Lodge... so we can go there also!
7. What is your favorite book? Right now I am loving the Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovitch. Not super deep, but super entertaining.
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If money were no object, I would pick Maui. Or home.
9. Have you been to a Ballet? Would you like to go? I have been when I was little, but not recent enough to really remember it. I would go, I think it would be fun!
10. Do you play (or did you play?) a musical instrument? I played the clarinet and the saxophone when I was in middle school My sweet mama thought I was amazing. I think it may have been music only a mother could love.
11. What is your current favorite song? This is horrible and I can't believe I am copping to it, but LMFAO's Sexy and I Know It. After watching the video and being terribly grossed out, it now makes me laugh soooooo hard! And my hubs and I always dance along. Especially in the car. We like to wiggle and it cracks us up. So maybe it's not so much the song, but the memories and laughs with it.
Wow -- Thanks Kaylee for tagging me!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Frustrating People {rant}
One thing that really ticks me off about being around military people pretty much all the time is that you see the good, the bad, and the ugly. All of our close friends who are military are great {and sane}. Everyone has their "I hate my job" days, days where things are frustrating. Who doesn't. But one think that really ruffles my feathers is people who decide they are going to "screw" the military because their life isn't all roses. People who sign up for four years and then decide after less than a year that they want out. And they don't care if they've signed a contract, they say out right that they will make themselves as worthless as possible to try and get early out or make the Navy "sorry" they aren't letting them go sooner. And I am not gonna lie, I see this more often in girls than guys.
I know that there are people who are deceived about what they are getting in to. I know that being military is not always fun. I know that deployments suck. But I also know that military life is not that bad. Specifically here where we are. My husband works usually works less hours than I do per week. He gets more days off. More vacation time. He has more time during the day to good off and watch YouTube or Facebook {Not saying you actually do these things hunny!} It is easy for him to come to doctors appointments when needed or get the day off if he has to. He often gets off work early, and in this crazy winter storm we have been having he's had all week off where as I have had to go to work. And it drives me bonkers seeing post after post of FB of how much people hate the Navy. Seriously? If you acted like that at my work, you wouldn't have a job to be complaining about. My job is fairly easy, but there are rules to follow. It's real life. It's not handed to you on a silver platter. If I spent hours watching YouTube, I would no longer have a job. If I made myself worthless, you've guessed it... I wouldn't have a job.
And one more thing? Getting pregnant to get out of deployment? I thought that was a joke. No one in their right mind would actually have a baby for the main desire of getting out of deployment. I mean, people know that deployment is like 6-12 months {Navy} and babies are like 18+ years? Oh, no? That really happens? YES. In our small group of acquaintances here I know 4 people who have done this. 2 that are married and had other reasons for wanting a baby {getting out of deployment was just a bonus and definitely part of the timing} and 2 that didn't want to deploy. Awesome. Great plan. Oh and thank you for getting out of your deployment and bumping my husband up on the list to deploy. Thanks, I really appreciate that.
{P.S. obviously I know my husband will deploy. And no I am not looking forward to it. It's one of the down sides of military life. But, you have to take the good with the bad.}
All of that being said, I am so glad to know people who truly love what they are doing. Love that they have a job that provides for their families. Or maybe they don't love their job any more and are getting out, but they are honoring their commitments while they are still in the Navy. I am thankful that I only have to see the people that drive me crazy rarely. Personally, I am thankful for the Navy. It may not always be GREAT, but the good out weighs the bad. For sure.
I know that there are people who are deceived about what they are getting in to. I know that being military is not always fun. I know that deployments suck. But I also know that military life is not that bad. Specifically here where we are. My husband works usually works less hours than I do per week. He gets more days off. More vacation time. He has more time during the day to good off and watch YouTube or Facebook {Not saying you actually do these things hunny!} It is easy for him to come to doctors appointments when needed or get the day off if he has to. He often gets off work early, and in this crazy winter storm we have been having he's had all week off where as I have had to go to work. And it drives me bonkers seeing post after post of FB of how much people hate the Navy. Seriously? If you acted like that at my work, you wouldn't have a job to be complaining about. My job is fairly easy, but there are rules to follow. It's real life. It's not handed to you on a silver platter. If I spent hours watching YouTube, I would no longer have a job. If I made myself worthless, you've guessed it... I wouldn't have a job.
And one more thing? Getting pregnant to get out of deployment? I thought that was a joke. No one in their right mind would actually have a baby for the main desire of getting out of deployment. I mean, people know that deployment is like 6-12 months {Navy} and babies are like 18+ years? Oh, no? That really happens? YES. In our small group of acquaintances here I know 4 people who have done this. 2 that are married and had other reasons for wanting a baby {getting out of deployment was just a bonus and definitely part of the timing} and 2 that didn't want to deploy. Awesome. Great plan. Oh and thank you for getting out of your deployment and bumping my husband up on the list to deploy. Thanks, I really appreciate that.
{P.S. obviously I know my husband will deploy. And no I am not looking forward to it. It's one of the down sides of military life. But, you have to take the good with the bad.}
All of that being said, I am so glad to know people who truly love what they are doing. Love that they have a job that provides for their families. Or maybe they don't love their job any more and are getting out, but they are honoring their commitments while they are still in the Navy. I am thankful that I only have to see the people that drive me crazy rarely. Personally, I am thankful for the Navy. It may not always be GREAT, but the good out weighs the bad. For sure.
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