Sparks and Butterflies...

But aside from that, she's still completely normal

Zero Me Time

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As part of the BlogHer Life Well Lived series, I want to answer this question:

How do you take care of your skin when you have zero “me” time?

Really, the key for me, is making a part of my hygiene. Everyone needs to be clean. But the more… Intricate parts (exfoliation, moisture, etc.) escape me, and I don’t want to spend the time. SO. I have to take a shower, right? (Um. The answer to that is yes.) I spend the time in there, and have created a routine. Toothbrushing, shaving, getting clean, hair washing all happens in there. I buy exfoliating and moisturizing body wash.

Outside of the shower, I only put on lotion if I shave. I have a box on the counter of the stuff I do for my face all lined up. That way I can dry off, and just go down the line of lotions and potions, and not think about it. Unfortunately, I have to get more complicated than I’d like with my face because when I hit 30, acne hit like I was 16, and it’s a daily fight. And seriously? I think it is unfair to watch my hair go gray and deal with zits at the same time.

So – my advice is to streamline, make what you already do work harder, and make it so you don’t have to think about it. If I’m not getting “pretty” for something like a meeting or night out, from the minute I go into the bathroom and come out dressed, it’s 20 minutes. And really? 20 minutes might be all I get for the day before I’m too tired to care.

If YOU would like to answer the question & have the chance to win the $250 sweepstakes – just go to this post and add your $0.02 to the comments. If you don’t care about the sweepstakes (which – if you can’t use $250 extra, I want to be friends with you) you can also join in the conversation by commenting here.

Here and Around the Bend

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A quick update around here…  Poe has been on 4 interviews in the past week – all in relation to security and his guard card and firearms permit.  To put that in perspective:  He had 4 interviews prior to this in the entire year and a half he’s been out of work ranging from landscaping to pizza delivery to his educational career (architectural drafting.)  Perhaps this career shift was a smart move on our part?  We shall see.  His interview yesterday he really really wants.  It’s for a major museum, and he said the employee atmosphere was “like family – like WB used to be.”  We shall see.  Please keep us in your prayers, as I think his unemployment ends pretty soon.  Like in the next two weeks.  But we’re trying our best and I guess that’s truly all we can do.  Do our best and give it up in prayer.

The boys are okay.  Driving us crazy being out of school.  Annoying each other has been their pastime.  We’re going camping again in a couple weeks.  That’ll be a good distraction for them.

I’m having a terrible time getting motivated to do anything.  I was sick for a couple of days, and coupled with the major heat, it just has drained me.  I’m trying to get back in the swing of my routine, but it’s been rather difficult to do.  Everyone else has that “summer vacation” attitude and it’s making it difficult for me to be in work mode.  But I’m trying.  My supplemental income is keeping us in food.

What I Am Doing Instead of BlogHer

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I was really disappointed when I realized I couldn’t attend BlogHer this year. I have a business to network about, a blog to network about, things to learn, and friends to drink with see. And when Poe first lost his job (5 months and counting ago,) I thought, “Hey! I can still use our tax refund money to get myself to Chicago!” And then we needed to use that money to live off of, and I realized it’s just not going to be part of my reality this year. And I’m feeling rather… mature about it. If you consider stamping my foot mature. I decided I needed to actually do something instead of being bitter.

Enter… The Blogathon! I did the Blogathon three years ago. It was a good experience. Rough – but good. I decided to do it again. And I’m going to need your help.

Blogathon is just like the other ‘thons you may have done in school, where you got sponsored so much money per lap/pin etc. On July 25th, I’m going to be blogging every half hour for 24 hours – 6am-6am Pacific. Just think about that for a moment. Having to come up with 48 separate blog posts within 24 hours. It’s a challenge. I’m up to it.

So what? Why? Blogathon participants are blogging for charity. People pledge to sponsor them for the Blogger’s chosen charity. They either pledge for each post the blogger does (watch out, though – remember 48 posts are anticipated!) or just pledge a set amount. How it works is – you sign up to pledge, and after the ‘thon’s over, Blogathon tells you how the blogger did, and what they “owe” to the blogger’s charity. You’re then given a link to the chosen charity’s donation page. The Blogathon folks, and the blogging folks, never see your money, because you’re giving it straight to the charity.

I picked the same one I picked 3 years ago, Fisher House. Imagine your loved one is in the service. They sustain an illness or injury, and they’re in a base medical facility. Civilian family and friends (including spouses) are pretty much on their own to get there and visit and stay and be supportive through their treatment, surgeries, therapies. Fisher House provides no cost housing and support to those family members while their enlisted family member (husband? Sister? Mom?) gets their medical attention, and then they don’t have to worry about hotels, or hotel costs. It’s a temporary housing facility for these families.

My husband is a former Marine. He was out before I met him. But I’ve imagined that was not the case. I’ve attempted to put myself in the shoes of these families. It wasn’t pretty.

I’m asking you to pledge your support. $1 a post? $5 flat pledge? Whatever you can give. I don’t have any money to give in our current circumstances. I used to both be a blogger AND a pledger, and I’m not able to do that this year. But I can give my time! And so I am. I’m taking my angst and doing something with it. Will you please help me?

Here are some links to get you started:
Blogathon Main Page
My Blogathon Pledge Page -You do have to create an account with them. But don’t worry, this is run by long time bloggers who hate spam.
Fisher House Home Page
More about Fisher House
More About the Houses

And then follow along on July 25th! Maybe even spread the word AT BlogHer for me? You can pledge up to 48 hours after the event! And, maybe stop by? It’ll be mighty lonely around 4am on 7/26.

BlogHer Disclaimer

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So I’m going to BlogHer ’08 (woot and yay!) in two – TWO – weeks.

I have never met a blogger in person before. I’m especially nervous about this. I’m anxious about the social thing. (what if no one likes me waaaaah) So, figured the best way to attack this was to list my flaws so you won’t be shocked or surprised. heh. You probably wouldn’t have been anyway.  But this is my way of attacking my anxiety head on.  Here I am, take me or leave me, with all my flaws.

  • If I’m drinking, I talk.  If I’m nervous, I talk.  Drinking and nervous?  Oh dear.  Also – when I’m nervous I start talking louder and louder.  The problem is – I was (literally) dropped on my head too many times as a child and it effected my hearing.  I actually cannot hear myself talk.  So, while I may be talking louder, I still can’t hear a difference in my head.
  • If I’m passionate or excited about something, I start repeating myself.
  • I’m chubby.
  • I smoke.  Please don’t lecture me, unless you too fought an addiction to meth.  I will only smoke in appointed smoking areas, and I won’t blow smoke in your face.
  • I’m missing two teeth.  This is very very upsetting to me and makes me very self-conscious.  But here’s the story: I did take care of my teeth.  However, genes suck, and I was born without 8 permanent teeth.  So, that means that the permanent teeth weren’t there to push out the baby teeth.  So, the baby teeth just stuck around, until they just couldn’t hold on any more.  My bottom front teeth have been fixed, and I still have two babies that are hangin’ on for dear life in the bottom on both sides.  But on the top, one on each side, couldn’t hold on anymore.  It will take several thousand dollars to fix, and I don’t have that kind of cash, so, they are missing.  Yes, I brush and floss.  I’ve had one cavity in my life.  Just bad genes.  So – I may not smile big, and if I do, it’s because I forgot about my mouth for a minute.
  • I snore.  But you won’t have to worry about that since I’m alone – NO KIDS OR HUSBAND – in my room.  I may hide in my room because of the beautiful beautiful silence, but I digress.
  • I talk with my hands.  I’ll try not to smack you.
  • I’m a notorious clutz.  I’ll try not to drop my drink on you.

That’s me.  In all my glory.  I can’t wait to meet you there.

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