Merry Christmas!

Well, the kids made out like bandits- as I am sure all of yours did !
Baby got her Nintendo DS- and a bunch of games and clothes and whatnot.
My son got a drumset- he was soooo happy!
We had it hidden in the office/den- so in the morning- I had baby get all the presents separated for everyone-
So, here she is, in this mountainous sea of gifts(literally!),and my son has maybe 5 lol
Anyways, the look on his face- he opens a box- " wow, sweatpants, on Christmas- thanks..."
Poor kid looked like he was getting the jip-so I told him to get me the telephone out of the office- and he opens the door and was like
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!
there was a brand new, shiny black drumset!- he was VERY happy! What's the point of having kids if you can't torment them once in a while? :)

Bellydancing

I just got this DVD a couple of weeks ago- It's called "My Personal Trainer" with Rania
As some of you may know, I take a bellydance class once a week. But, I also decided to get some DVDs to get extra excercise at home. This one, while it doesn't stress the technique, kicks your A**! You really feel like you worked out- and the nice thing is you can customize it-so take a look....

Twisted Ankles

My stepbaby twisted her ankle at ice skating a couple of days ago- thank the lord nothing was broken! No swelling or bruising either-which was a good sign. Although she couldn't put weight on it at first.
Yesterday though, she was able to walk on it- I saw her lol
But this morning, here she comes down the hall with crutches, and I'm like- "what happened? you were walking yesterday!" She said, " I know, but it hurts-" Me and Dad exchanged looks and he told her to leave them at home that she would be fine.
I wonder if she was milking the crutch thing for attention. Not sure-
any of you had a similar situation? I don't like to accuse a kid of anything like that, but I know kids can be that way sometimes.
My son will milk an injury for all it's worth if you let him. He will work you over if you don't know how he can be!
He used to do that to his first grade teacher- tell her he was feeling sick and she would call me at work and I would ask to speak to him and realize he was faking! I would tell him to go back to class and then tell his teacher to watch out for him faking illness, because he could be VERY convincing! Not to brag, but my son is very cute- and batting eyelashes at a teacher bowled her over every time!
he doesn't do it anymore- thank god it was a phase, but I also didn't play in to it.
Stepbaby isn't like that- but I could tell she was working this injury lol
I just don't want my kids growing up to be hypochondriacs-

FINALS!

well, I have made it one month without smoking and also without killing anyone!
I haven't gained any weight either- I have tried to replace smoking with excercise and schoolwork- seems to be doing the job for now-
I took my Photoshop final last night- and PASSED! Thank GOD!
I am studying for a certification as an Adobe Applications Specialist-
I am coming up on my third semester- taking night classes and working full time as well-
I did some college when I had my son ( I was 19 when I had him ), and work in administrative office jobs- but I always wanted more, a chance to make more money and do something I really love.
Art is wonderful, I love to draw, paint, play music and write- so being creative in my work would be a dream come true!
Any other moms out there going back to school??? Let me know- let's talk!

Holiday Activities

Well, loyal fans, it has been a busy week at my house so far!
I had dance class and a neighbors party after work Monday-
volunteered for my sons play Tuesday
went to see his play Wednesday
drum lessons and christmas shopping today
stepbaby's chorus AND band performance tomorrow
gift exchange with some of the fam damily sunday
WHEW!

My son played the villian in a musical The Castaways- he was GREAT! I think he may be a natural- he has been taking drama for almost 2 years now and he really has a knack for it-
he's a natural ham! I was watching him on stage last night and couldn't believe how big he has gotten- he's 13 already! His first stage performance he was 4 and was a pirate in Peter Pan- it seems like yesterday!
Stepbaby is excellent in chorus and clarinet-she has been in ADVANCED band now for 2 years, and HONOR chorus- both are by invitation only- so we are very proud of her. I will post pics as they arrive LOL

Baby Mama Blues

Ok- so if some of you have been reading my blog, you will know that my stepbaby's mother is a real piece of work- not only moved out of the county, but cut her visitation from 50% to about 10%- hasn't been willing to pay any support and won't take the initiative to get paperwork to give us sole physical and legal so we can keep her in her current school etc.
She again has a new boyfriend, and has already taken my little one to meet this guy on more than one occasion. She can't wait and see if this one (of like 8, in the last year) will work out- she has 2 weeks without her kid, you think she would handle her shit then, but no, drags her daughter around like some prize to any dude she happens to be seeing at the time.
This one is a fireman at a university, and found it appropriate conversation to tell my little one about a sorority hazing where a girl's fingers got blown off- as well as part of her head and stomach, and proceeded to tell her that there was blood everywhere WTF???? What kind of person thinks this is appropriate conversation for a 5th grader?
This woman is an imbecile-sorry, had to vent-

More Beauty Recipes

Yes, I am searching for some really wonderful, natural facial scrubs and beauty recipes. Please feel free to comment or add any if you have one you really love!
Remember, as with all natural,preservative free mixtures, to keep it refridgerated!
Enjoy!



Tropical Sugar Scrub
Sugar granules gently remove dead skin cells, which are in turn nourished by the combined power of coconut, mango, and orange.

Ingredients
1 cup white sugar
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup fresh mango puree
1 cup coconut oil
Instructions
Mix sugar into coconut milk until evenly distributed before stirring in lemon juice and mango puree. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to use, scoop out a generous amount of sugar scrub and rub with open palms into skin. Rinse well.

This delicious scrub is a lovely way to celebrate the bounty of the autumn season in your home spa. The cranberries and sugar make a great natural light exfoliant while the orange essential oil makes your whole body smile. The sweet almond oil soothes and nourishes the skin.




Ingredients:
1/2 cup frozen cranberries
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
1/4 cup sugar
2 drops orange essential oil
2 tablespoons (+ more if needed) oat powder


Blending Procedure:

Combine cranberries, glycerin and almond oil in a small food processor and process for about 30 seconds. Do not process much longer than that because the cranberries may become too mushy. Pour the mixture into a bowl.


Add the sugar and stir. Add the essential oil and stir.


Add the oat powder last, and add enough to make the mixture hold together lightly in the palm of your hand so you can apply it easily. Cranberries vary in terms of their juice content so it is not possible to include a specific oat powder measurement.


You can use this in the bath or shower to refresh, revive and enliven dull skin and leave it glowing and lightly scented from fresh oranges and cranberries.

Don''t your feet work hard enough to get a regular serious pampering workout? The peppermint oil is nice and tingly and the lavender oil cuts it with a soft sweetness ... the combination is very pleasant.
Ingredients:1 1/2 cups sea salt1/4 cup sweet almond oil2 drops peppermint essential oil3 drops lavender essential oil


Blending Procedure:
Combiine the sea salt and almond oil and stir well to mix. If the mixture seems dry and does not hold well together in your hands, add almond oil by the tablespoon until you can scoop it comfortably. Add the essential oils last and stir well.
Rub Peppermint Lavender Foot Glow Scrub vigorously all over your feet and ankles. Pay special attention to your heels and the soles of your feet so they are thoroughly exfoliated. Rinse well with warm water and follow with a rich lotion or cream. Sleep in socks so the moisturizer is absorbed well into your skin.
Do not use this mixture on broken skin and remember, it''s best when used immediately but you can store it in an air tight container and it will keep well so long as it is not exposed to moisture. Enjoy!