30 Day Blog Challenge: DAY TWO/THREE - Favorite Movies & TV Show

I'm slackin already! LOL  Yesterday was busy for me, so I didn't get to post.  Actually, I had it written out and saved, but Blogger decided to delete the entire post.  I need to make the switch to wordpress, but I'm PETRIFIED of losing everything.  I probably need to get over that fear! lol

30 Day Blog Journal Day 2

Your Favorite Movies

Favorites ALWAYS get me because I don't really have just one favorite.  I have a few favorite movies, songs, tv shows and so on.  I'm just going to list everything I love! :)  (Well, not everything, but close to it!)

I don't really have time to watch movies honestly.  If I do, it's usually Lifetime movies or whatever shows on HBO, Showtime, etc...  Having two kids really makes watching movies hard. (Except if they're Disney movies! LOL)  But I do have favorite movies none the less!!  Here they are! (In no particular order.)

Finding Nemo

 I used to be OBSESSED with this movie and I'm not quite sure why.  Actually, my nick name used to be Dory.  Yes, because I was just as clueless and forgetful as Dory is! (Sometimes!)  It's really a great movie, though.  My dorm room was decked out in Finding Nemo.  I have to post a picture someday!

On The Line

 I think every N Sync fan loved this movie.  I remember driving with my mom an hour out of my way to even be able to see it in theaters. lol  Reviews sucked on it, but I thought it was a really cute movie.  I still watch it every so often! 

Never Been Kissed

 My mom, grandma and I used to watch this movie when it was ALWAYS on cable when I was in HS.  I don't know why I love this movie either, but I just do!!  (I think the teacher is hot, btw.  LOL)

Big Daddy

 Adam Sandler + Movie = SOMETHING I LOVE!!  I think Adam Sandler is freaking GENIUS and I love his movies.  This is one of my favorites, though.

Tommy Boy

 Who doesn't love Tommy Boy?  Fat man in a little coat! LOL  This movie is just one of the funniest movies I have ever seen in my life.  Chris Farley was just amazing. 

A Walk To Remember 

 What female wasn't brought to tears by this movie?  I still am.  Everytime I watch it, I cry.  It never fails.  I think Shane West is gorgeous and Mandy Moore wasn't too bad in this movie.  I think the whole point of the movie was awesome.  People compare it to "Love Story", but I never liked that movie. A Walk To Remember is so good!

30 Day Blog Journal Day 3

Your Favorite TV Shows

I don't have too much time to watch TV either, but there are some shows I try to watch no matter what.  These are the shows that I just can't miss! (And if I do, I find them online to watch them the next day!!)  

Medium

I love this show.  I was always into those mysteries and forensic shows.  Even though Medium really isn't a forensic show, it is a great mystery show and keeps me guessing until I find out the real details.  This show is just really a great show and the actors are very talented and mesh together very well!  It's on CBS and Lifetime, if anyone is interested in watching it!

 

Castle

Castle is hot. Hands down.  :D  I don't know why, but I love this show too.  Police dramas always interest me.  I always wanted to be someone who solved mysteries like that professionally or a forensic investigator, but it's too complicated to become one!

American Idol

Another great show!  Although it's becoming very superficial and more of a popularity contest rather than a talent show, I love American Idol.  I love the auditions the most, honestly.  They keep me laughing for HOURS!  I wish I had the talent to be on this.

Bachelor/ette

Who doesn't love to watch this??  The bachelor & bachelorette are so amusing.  I love to watch the drama and the tears.  It sounds mean of me, but it's the way relationships go! (Even though you don't really fall in love within 2 months! normally...)  I love to see the creepy guys/girls,the jerks, the cheaters and the people the show throws in there to stir up drama.  

Super Nanny

Sometimes I feel like writing to Supernanny to help us out! LOL  This show really gives me a lesson in the real ways to handle situations.  Some of the parents on this show, as well, are just crazy and some shouldn't even be parents!  It's amusing and informative at the same time.

Wife Swap

Pure entertainment!  Some of these families that are on this show are just so unreal!  I can't believe the people who are out there!!  None the less, it's amusing to watch two complete polar opposites swapping lives and learning each other's ways.  I would totally be on this show someday!

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Friday again!! Friday follows.

FRIDAY AGAIN!  Time flies when you're....having fun?? lol  Honestly, I can't believe it's Friday again.  It seems like just last week I was leaving on my very short trip. (From Fri to Saturday LOL)  It's crazy that a week has passed!  One more week until my next trip! (A week from today.)  So, hey everyone!! (New and old!)  Welcome to Friday Follows @ Life of an Artsy Mom!

My name is Krissy and I live in New Jersey.  Just 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan, which is where I am a lot of the time.  I have two girls that are 2.5 and 4.5 and they're my life.  Currently, I am a stay at home mom, but actively looking for a new job!  It seems like almost everyone has been effected by the economy and downsizing from jobs.  No one is spared!!  

I like anything girly.  I spend way too much money on make up, I love getting my nails done, I change my hair color more than I change my underwear -- Ok, that's a lie...if that actually was true it would be pretty gross, wouldn't it? lmao  I love anything pink and my room would definitely tell you that!

On top of all that, I'm a single super mom to my two girls.  (Who I commonly call tornadoes or hurricanes.)  It's hard being a single mom of two rivaling girls, but I feel what doesn't kill me makes me stronger! (And boy does this make me stronger!!)  My girls love each other, but of course they do love to beat each other up sometimes.   I hope the sibling rivalry gets better as they get older. (Wishful thinking!)  I also hope they become neater as they grow up.  I'm getting tired of walking into the living room and stepping on a polly pocket or lego.  It's pretty painful and leaves an odd indent in your foot. ;)  

1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it? I did!  I had (and still have) a stuffed rabbit that went with me everywhere as a kid.  I believe I got it on my first Easter.  Her name is Bunny Bunny (I know, how creative) and if I ever misplaced her, I would not sleep until she was found.  It was like a "security blanket" for me.  Honestly, I still love that thing.  She went to college with me, she went to the hospital with me when both of my girls were born and she goes on road trips with me. (Still!!) Everyone makes fun of me, but I don't care.

2. Do you dream in color?  Sometimes I do.  I don't remember most of my dreams, actually!

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller? I'm 5'7" and I guess I kind of wish I was about 5'9".  I think if I was, my weight would even out and I'd look thinner! lol

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be? I have absolutely no idea.  I would go with: Any voice other than the annoying computerized voices that mine has! :D

5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot? It depends how tired and lazy I am on that given day. Yes, I know. I always feel guilty when I leave it in the parking lot and not in the cart corral.  There are some days when I just can't even imagine walking the distance to return the cart in the right place. lol

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30 Day Blog Challenge: DAY ONE - Your Favorite Song

I saw a post about the 30 Day Blog Journal tonight and I decided to research it because it looked very interesting.  I decided to do it even though I'm delayed on it all. :)  It just sounds like such a great way for my followers/readers to get to know me over the 30 days and it gives me a reason to blog every single day!  I think it's very important to know the person behind the blog because then a blog is more than just words on a page.  :)  

30 Day Blog Journal Day 1

Your Favorite Song

Honestly, this is probably a very hard question for me to answer.  Why?  Well, I don't have just one favorite song, I have quite a few.  They all mean different things to me for different reasons.  These are in no particular order.  Just the order that I remembered them in. :) 

Bryan Adams - Heaven (I can't find a YouTube of this that allows embedding.)

I loved this song for a long time before it became memorable to me, but the situation and story behind it is why it's important to me today.  Even though it has both a good and a bad memory attached to it, it's still something that is memorable.

My ex fiancee and I used to go to karaoke every other day with my brother. (Who is DJ)  I wouldn't sing, of course, but my ex fiance would sing a lot because it was something he always did when he was there.  The one song he would sing to me every single time we went there would be "Heaven" by Bryan Adams.  It became a very important song to me because of the emotion and importance at that point in my life.  Even though the story behind my ex and our relationship is still heartbreaking to me, and even though I couldn't listen to this song for about two years after our break up, the song is very important to me and still one of my favorites.  Because of what I've been through with that relationship, it just stands for my strength to get over my ex and be a stronger person on my own.  It may sound stupid, but the first time I was able to listen to it in it's entirety after our breakup (that 2 years later) it made me feel proud that I was finally able to move on.

CIay Aiken - Proud of Your Boy

I don't know why I like this song so much, but I just do!  I think that every child, in a way, struggles to make their parents proud of them.  Hell, I still strive to be someone my mom will be proud of and every day I still feel like I fail at that.  This song was one that was supposed to be in Aladdin II, but was cut out for some reason.  I just like the song! (And the singer!)

Hanson - I Will Come To You

Since 1998 this song has been one of my favorite songs and even to this day, the song makes me cry.  I don't know why it's so special to me, but the song is amazing.  Just listen to it.  The lyrics are so moving.  "When you have no light to guide you, and no one to walk beside you, I will come to you.  When the night is dark and stormy, you won't have to reach out for me, I will come to you."  If you haven't heard the song, listen to it above right now.  You won't regret listening to it. :)

CIay Aiken - This Is The Night

Ever since I heard this song for the first time on American Idol, I knew this song was going to be my wedding song.  It's just one of the best songs of all time, in my mind.  I'm sure everyone has heard this song before since it was CIay's first big song besides "Invisible" and I think most people know how great the song is.  

*N Sync - This I Promise You

This is another song that I just love because I do.  I'm sure everyone (or almost everyone) has loved *N Sync at one point in their lives and this song was just one of the best that they had.  

I know I'm a dork and I know I like the geekiest music, but that's just me and that's just who I am.  I enjoy Hanson, CIay Aiken, *N Sync and all of those pop groups.  I'm proud to say that I'm a huge fan of pop music. (Even though I do like other genres as well.)  Music is something that I definitely cannot live without in my life.  It's very important to me as I am sure it is to others as well.  

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Wisdom Teeth & Music!

WisHas anyone had their wisdom teeth out?

I'm pretty sure this is coming for me.  My wisdom teeth came in about 5 years ago with minimal problems.  When they first came in, I did have one problem for a couple of days with my lower left wisdom tooth.  As it came in, the left side of my face swelled up and it was pretty painful for maybe 2-3 days.  Then it stopped.  Fast forward 5 years later...

Last Saturday I woke up in quite a bit of pain with my bottom left wisdom tooth.  The gum was swollen (TMI, I know...) and it hurt to even open my mouth or swallow on that side.  Unfortunately, that was also the day I was leaving the hotel we had stayed at for a night and I had to drive home.  Excedrin was my savior because it took a lot of the pain away for my drive, but it was still very uncomfortable.  It was so swollen that I couldn't eat without almost biting down on the gum itself.  It's been basically like that since then.  (Except the swelling has gone down a bit. 

Every morning I have to do a stupid annoying and time consuming routine of rinsing with salt water to make the swelling go down, I put those Bayer Fast Acting Crystals packets directly on the tooth and let it dissolve and then a few hours later I take two Excedrin and it helps the pain for most of the entire day.  At least I can live that way temporarily, but I can't keep that up forever.

Now, I have a fear of dentists & oral surgery.  Exciting, huh?  I think it's finally time to get to the dentist and if I need my wisdom teeth out, I should go for it.  I have a low threshold for pain.  It's terrible how cranky I am until the pain goes away.  I'm just petrified beyond belief!!

ANYWAY...

Last night was the Hanson concert that I went to and I had so much fun!  I've been a fan since 1997, making it the band I have been a fan of for the longest. :)  I love Hanson and always will.  The one thing I have to complain about, is that I hate general admission concerts.  Firstly, getting there hours before the concert starts just to get in is not my piece of cake!  Especially in 100 degree weather with sun beating down on you.  At least the people who were waiting near us were very nice and very talkative.  It made the time go by a little quicker than it normally would.  Secondly, the people in back of me at the concert itself were VERY ANNOYING!  They were making fun of everyone who was around them and she kept trying to squeeze in next to me.  Now, we ended up being 3 people from the stage so she was 4th in back of me.  I think 4th is pretty damn good.  Why the hell do you have to try to squeeze your ass in next to me when there's no room at all.  Then, as she's trying to squeeze in next to me, she's blaming me for pushing her.  I wasn't pushing her at all, I was simply STANDING IN MY SPOT THAT WASN'T HERS!  Excuse me, if you're short and you get stuck in back of someone who's taller than you at a general admission concert, don't complain.  There's always that risk if you're short.  Was she thinking that because she was short I would have compassion for her?  Not when she's acting like a complete prissy bitch behind me.  Yeah, no thanks.  None the less, I enjoyed myself.  :)  I took too many pictures, which are on my Facebook, but here are a few.  

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Monday Miscellany & Monday Mingle- I love Random!

I love Miscellany Monday because I can randomly write things that I wanted to write that really have nothing in common at all. :)  Let's go! 

1. Plus Size What?!

I can't stand how Plus Size starts at a size 10.  Are you serious? Plus Size?  I can't stand how those plus size stores have models that are probably a size 10 with a flat stomach and skinny arms and legs.  Come on...let's see REAL women that won't make the plus size women feel inferior!  I'm happy to say that I no longer shop at those stores and now fit in normal Juniors size clothes, but I know how I felt when I did and saw their advertisements with the skinny girls.  It drives me crazy.  It's bad enough the media makes the "perfect woman" out to be a stick thin beautiful airbrushed model.  Even Dove airbrushes and fixes their "Real Women".  

2. Imagination Movers ROCK!

Come on, aren't they the BEST kids show ever?  Maybe I'm biased because I have a secret crush on Rich and my kids absolutely LOVE the show, but it's awesome.  We watched them on The View this morning and that's what reminded me. :)  I was going to bring my kids to the show, but I wasn't sure if they would let kids in or what.  So we just watched from home.  My kids (and I) hope they go on tour again because we'd love to go! (Any other Movers Mommys reading?!)

3. Gaining Weight, thumbs down.

I haven't been caring too much about what I'm eating, which is bad.  Today I restarted caring and eating very healthy.  I felt the difference too when I splurged and ate what I wanted to.  It's only noon and I'm feeling SO much better from eating healthy. :)  Yay. I would love to lose a few more pounds within two weeks.  

4. Potty Training Update!

Olivia is more or less trained!  When she came home from her dad's house on Sunday, she had underpants on and stayed dry all day!  She did her poops and pees in the potty, and we're so proud of her.  She only wears pull ups now when it's bedtime.  Of course, we fight her on it, but we're all so proud of her for doing it!

5. MMMBOP!

Laugh at me, make fun of me, tell me I'm old school or a geek, but I'm so excited.  Tomorrow I'm going to Sayreville NJ to see HANSON!!! I could not be more excited and can hardly wait until we leave at 1pm tomorrow. :)  I've been a Hanson fan since 1997 and will always be one no matter how much people make fun of me! BRING IT ON!! :D  (You bet you're gonna hear about it tomorrow!)


That's all I can think of for now, but I'll update this if I have any more random moments!!

My Monday Mingle is going to be written today because #1. I look like crap. #2. I'm still in crappy clothes because I haven't unpacked my car from my weekend trip and #3.  My tooth hurts too damn bad to actually talk. (Wow, me? Not talking? What a miracle!!)

1. How many computers are in your house?

We have 3.  I have a desktop that I use occasionally, my mom has a Verizon Netbook and I have my MacBook that I use all the time and am in love with. :)  Sometimes I consider selling my desktop and just using the laptops, but Windows is good occasionally for some things.  Just not everything.  I'm so used to Apple.


2. Are you connected on the go? (via cell phone with data service, netbook, laptop, etc.)


YES!!!  I am.  I have a Blackberry Storm w/ Data Plan, iPhone w/ Data Plan, a laptop (Macbook) and a Netbook w/ Data Plan (HP).  I love my connectivity and it's very important to me.  Especially being a blogger!  My iPhone is my "business phone" for my Jewelry business as well as my blogging.  My Blackberry is for calling, texting, Yahoo, Aim, etc...


3. What is the longest amount of time you can go without the internet before missing it?


ONE DAY! LOL  The hotel that we stayed in this weekend had NO Wifi service without paying for it or being in a certain set of rooms. I tried to go without it for as long as possible, but I did end up caving and signing onto my Netbook by that night.  I love the internet, I love checking and reading blogs when I have nothing else to do and I love to blog...  How did I ever live without internet when I was a kid??

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Lost brain..if found let me know! :D

Can you believe it??  I forgot it's Friday and completely forgot about Friday Follow!!  Well, I can believe it.  It has been a long few hours for me.  I was out all day yesterday with my mom and the kids, and last night at 9 pm I was doing laundry and packing for a short weekend trip.  We left at midnight and honestly, I've gotten an hour of sleep since then.  I'm running on fumes right now, but that's what mommies do anyway, right??

For those of you who do come to visit my blog from the bloghops, I'll give you a short intro about me before I take a nap. (And...I'm typing on my little itty bitty netbook right now since our room DOESNT have internet access.  WHAT HOTEL DOESNT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS IN THE YEAR 2010!?  Thank God I have a Verizon netbook with me too.)

My name is Kristin, but I am only called that if you're mad at me and want to get my attention.  You can call me Krissy!  I'm a 25 year old single mommy of two little lovely and beautiful monsters, Olivia and Alayna.  They're my life, even if they're human hurricanes.  My little mess-makers are 2.5 and 4.5 respectively.  

When I'm not running around, cleaning up after them multiple times a day and multi tasking making PB&J sammies and trying to keep Olivia dressed at the same time, I'm an artist.  I do have my own jewelry business which is internet and locally based.  Still looking for that perfect real job that may never come, but I'm looking!  I spend most of my time cleaning up toys... That is, if I feel like it.  When you have two kids under 5, it's hard to keep a room clean for long. Most of the time, during the day, I'm wadding through toys and/or clothes when they decide to raid their closet and play fashion show.  My girls are definitely divas.  :)  

I live in North/Central New Jersey, which is 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan...that's another place I spend a lot of my time.  You see, I'm a theater addict... a huge one.  Manhattan is one of my most favorite places to be, and rightfully so.

Sometimes I pretend I'm domestic and try to cook...it comes out well occasionally.  Some of those recipes gone right are posted on my blog.  I really just mess around in the kitchen until something edible is the result. LOL :)  

I hope you enjoy my blog and reading what I have to say... 

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A Mother's Guilt...

 

Olivia's dad is one of the best dads I've seen in a long time.  He wants to be very involved in Olivia's life as well as Alayna's and I love that he cares for both of my girls.  He lives in Long Island and we live in New Jersey...that ride is a good hour/hour and a half long each way.  I have driven it a few times, but every other weekend her dad comes to pick her up for a great and fun weekend with him and his family.  

 

She has been going to her dad's house every other weekend since she was 7 months old, and at that time Alayna started to have a very hard time with Olivia leaving.  Alayna would cry when Olivia would be getting ready and when she would leave with her dad, Alayna would stand there on the front porch and cry while she waved to her sister.  I would promise her that while Olivia was gone we would have a very fun day, and we did.  We would do special activities with just myself and Alayna so I could give her that extra attention that she needed.

 

Finally, Alayna got used to the fact that Olivia would go every other weekend and she would look forward to our weekends together.  Even though she would still say she missed Olivia, she wouldn't be as upset as she had been in the past.  I thought we were finally over all of the crying and tears.

When Olivia turned 2, she started to get very upset at the fact that she would have to leave every other weekend to go with her dad and his family.  Of course, she loves them, but she wanted to stay with myself and Alayna.  Now I had the other one crying and refusing to go!  

 

I have to tell you -- It breaks a mother's heart when you see either of your girls crying over this!  It breaks your heart to have to put her in her dad's car, give her kisses and walk away while she's still crying and refusing to go.  I do know, however, that walking away is the best way to go because otherwise we'd be sitting there for hours with her crying and refusing to go.  It's heartbreaking, but I know she'll stop crying soon when she realizes she can't have her way; and she does!  We always look forward to our phone call from her and her dad 10-15 minutes after they leave when she's happy, calms down and adjusts to going.  

 

Even though I know she has fun and I love to see the pictures they post on Facebook of her visit, it makes me feel so guilty to just leave and walk away when she's crying in her dad's car.  I just hope that as she gets older the transition will get easier for both of my girls!  

 

 

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Ten Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year

School is quickly creeping back up on us and whether we're first time school moms or moms that have had kids in school for a few years now, we want to make sure our kids are happy and healthy as they learn and grow throughout the year!  Here are ten tips to ensure that your kids are healthy, safe and successful.

1. A great healthy tip would be to make a healthy lunch that will also amuse them and make them want to eat it.  We know kids are never keen on eating healthy and always want the PB&J, Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Lunchables or they want to opt for the unhealthy options at school cafeterias.  We have been doing "Bento Boxes" around here occasionally for lunch to try to introduce healthy foods, and through my apprehension, the kids ate the healthy options I presented them because they were fun looking and amusing!  There are many resources on making Bento Boxes amusing and cute.  Google is a great place to learn about them!

2. To make homework fun, make a game out of it!!  This worked for me and also has been working for my 4 year old as we were doing some at home work to practice for school.  It has been proven that kids learn better when they're presented with information in an amusing way.  (Song, story, poem, etc...)  And it's true.  It worked for me when I was in school!   If it's information they have to memorize, make up a little song or fun poem that they can use to remember it!  Honestly, the kids will remember it for years to come. (I still remember some of the silly songs my mom used for me!)  If it's math problems or something of that sort, use quarters, dimes or nickles for every right answer!  Earning something will encourage them to actually do the work it takes to get it right rather than to just guess on the answer.

3. Set a schedule! Coming up with a special schedule for the day works perfectly.  It has been working for us since we are practicing for school.  This is our current schedule for the school year that we are going to go by. Starting from breakfast to time to leave for school to snack, dinner, homework, shower time, bed time, etc...  Put the schedule up in your kitchen in an obvious place.  You can use a dry erase board so you can alter the schedule as needed per day.

4. It's important to enroll students in after school activities.  It socializes younger children and teaches older children team work.  It can be sports, gynmastics/ballet, ice skating, art classes, community activities, church activities...  Whatever it is, it will be beneficial for your child in the future.  I have enrolled my kids in classes from a young age and they look forward to it each time they have to go!

5. If your child is bullied in school it is important to teach them self confidence and how not to listen to the bully.  I know if's very difficult to do for a child and even more hard for a parent to watch, but bullies will find a target and pick on any stupid little thing they can.  I was bullied as a child and my mom never taught me to stand up for myself and never taught me not to listen to them until I was much older.  BULLYING CAN IMPACT SCHOOL WORK NEGATIVELY.  

6.  Make your child a balanced breakfast each day.  If they eat too little, they'll be hungry before lunch time and it can distract them for their schoolwork!   As they always say -- BREAKFAST IS BRAIN FOOD.

7. Set a strict bedtime.  You don't want your kids to go to bed too late and be exhausted during the day.  Make their bedtime something very reasonable between the both of you and make bedtime a big deal!  Watch a special show together, read a special book, make it together time so your kids will look forward to it and not dread bedtime. 

8. If your kids are having a hard time learning and you know they're trying, there could be two simple problems.  First, get their eyes checked.  Not being able to see the board and accurately write down notes can be a big problem and big contributor to not doing well.  It was in my case!  I would write down what I heard the teachers saying instead of what I saw, because I couldn't see well.  Secondly, get their hearing checked.  It may be just the opposite.  They may be writing what's on the board and writing what they think they hear, but even something as simple as clogged ears can cause a problem!  

9.  After school, it's important that your child doesn't just sit in front of the TV, Computer or video games.  Get them out for a few hours! Take them to the park, let them run around in the yard or with friends.  Exercise is essential for MANY reasons and most kids don't get enough exercise.  Especially after school.

10. Make sure they're safe getting to school!  If they're riding a bus, walk them to the bus stop or keep an eye on them out the window.  For smaller children, walk them onto the bus until they're seated, if you can.  If they walk to school, walk with your child! Get some exercise as well!  If they're getting picked up by a friend's parents, watch that they get in the car with the appropriate person.  Also, teach your children the basics of not talking to strangers, not getting in cars with strangers, etc...  Safety is vital~

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about

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NO OBJECT IS SAFE FROM CHILDREN!! lol

I've professed my undying love and devotion for my point and shoot Samsung Dual View (TL220) camera many times in the past on here. I bought it a few months ago when my Canon Cyber Shot flaked out on me and decided to not work with the LCD screen anymore.  This camera has gone everywhere with me and it even has a nice little padded case.  I'm always so careful with this camera...until today.  

This afternoon I was taking pictures and uploading everything for my Energizer Smart ChargHER Blogher post and when I was done I left it on the kitchen table next to my laptop.  Unfortunately, we were in a rush to get to Kohls this afternoon, so I left the case next to it.  That usually wouldn't be a big deal because we were all going out and I figured when I got home I would just put it into the case and back into my purse.

My mom notified me on the way home that we needed apple juice and toilet paper and Olivia was screaming and throwing a temper tantrum because she couldn't get a toy she wanted at Kohls, so instead of driving to the grocery store with the temper tantrum and leaving my mom in the car with miss moody, I decided to drop them off home and head to the grocery store myself.  It's not fun to go to the store with a cranky, crying two year old in tow and I wouldn't put my mom through the horror of sitting in a confined space (my car) with miss attitude.  I dropped them off and headed back out to the grocery store.

Do you see where this post is heading?

I get a call from my mom while I'm in the grocery store.  It was about 5 minutes after I left home to go back out and get the few things we needed from the store. 

"Now, don't get angry when I tell you this..." She said and stopped after she said that.  I guess looking for an answer from me.  I have learned that whenever something starts off like that, it isn't a good thing. I said nothing. lol

"Olivia was in the kitchen and touched your camera.  I don't know what she did, she may have deleted something."  

Whew...at least she only may have deleted something.

I told my mom that I'd deal with it when I got home and she could just put it on the counter or somewhere out of reach.  So she did.  Only I should have realized, my mom isn't tech savvy.  She doesn't use a camera or know how to use a camera.  

When I got home I went to get my camera only to find out that THE SHUTTER WOULDN'T CLOSE AND THE ZOOM WON'T GO BACK IN.  I cried...no, really...I did cry.  

Not even thinking, I put the camera back in the box and drove to Best Buy, where I got it from.  I swore that I had the credit card with me I bought it with, but after waiting on the returns line for 15 minutes, I realized I didn't have it with me.  (I don't just leave credit cards at home, I don't use this one anymore. lol)  The woman at customer service said they wouldn't be able to do anything without the receipt or without the credit card.  I figured I would go back in the morning with the credit card I had bought it with.

A lightbulb went off in my head on the way home, that maybe I could fix this myself.  Krissy: THE QUEEN OF THINKING SHE CAN DO THINGS HERSELF WHEN REALLY, SHE PROBABLY CAN'T... That' me, that should be my title.  The 'wannabe' tech and repair DIY.  Even so, I googled it and found a website that had a few steps to fix this on ANY camera.  

Tried a few of them and up to step 5 didn't work.  I was losing hope quickly and figured I would jsut have to send it into Samsung and hope they can replace it.  Number 6 was my last hope and I was silently praying and hoping that it would work.  They told me to do this:

Plug the camera into the wall power source and turn it on.  

So I did...the camera went on, that was an improvement.  Then they said to try to press the zoom back and forth.  So I did...

IT WORKED!!!

My zoom went in and out and the shutter/zoom extended and went back in.  I shut the camera off and it went back to it's normal ways.  At this point, I wanted to marry the person who had written that on their website.  I wanted to e-mail them and profess my undying love and devotion to them...only I didn't.  I figured that wouldn't be appropriate from someone who just learned how to fix their camera from their instructions...  And no, I'm not THAT desperate to find love. lol

I'm just happy it worked.  I would have been stuck without a camera if it didn't.  (And I'm one who LOVES to take pictures of everything.)  

Moral of this story:  (There are two)

#1.  NO OBJECT is safe from a nosy 2 year old.  No matter how many times you tell them not to touch things and no matter how much you think they  may understand, don't leave precious electronics where kids can get them.  (I should have known this from when Alayna, as a 2 year old, decided to see if my phone could swim...in the toilet...)  

#2.  If your zoom ever gets stuck extended, plug your camera into the wall power source and try to power the camera on.  When it goes on, if it goes on, try to move the zoom back and forth.  If it worked for me, it may work for you!!

 

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The Artsy Mom is a Smart ChargHER and should power BlogHER 2010!

How badly do I want to go to BlogHer?  I don't even know if I can describe how much I want to go.  Why do I want to go to BlogHer?  Because I've heard so many great things about what you learn and what you take away from the experience.  For me, Blogging is a past time and hobby, but it's also a very important part of my life.  Expressing my feelings through words and blogs helps me cope with depression and definitely helps me feel positive about doing so.  What I have always said is: "If I can help one person through something I write, I've done my job."  And it's true --  I believe that every blogger has the chance to help someone else.  That's why we write about our good days, our bad days and all the in between.  I really am in love with blogging.

I know there is a whole other side of blogging that I'm not too savvy with; the business side.  Of course, I have had some exposure through companies who like my blog enough for me to test out their products and write my opinions and reviews.  I enjoy that, but there is more to blogging that I don't quite know about and would love to learn.  I hope to learn that side from BlogHer.

My blog is quite new, being only about a year old.  I'm inspired every day by other bloggers and strive to be a great writer like some out there and I believe that improvement comes more every day I write.  Even though I'm new, I would love to go to something like this to better myself and keep on improving my blog, my writing and bettering my knowledge.

Now, I have tried quite a bit since I heard about BlogHer 2010 to acquire a sponsorship.  I feel that I have done everything in my power and exhausted every effort.  Unfortunately, my going to BlogHer isn't possible on my own.  I am a single mom of two girls and currently unemployed and self employed at the same time.  We live on savings and whatever income we get from yard sales, e-bay and my small business.  Currently, it's living from paycheck to paycheck.  As much as I would love to splurge on myself and go to BlogHer, I just can't afford it without help.  It would be great to do something for myself after years and years of putting myself out there for others.  Taking that time for myself would be a miracle and a blessing, and it would mean the world to me.

We are praying that I can get this sponsorship from Energizer.  The $2000 would do a lot.  It would allow me to comfortably go to BlogHer, it would allow me to get something for myself to wear to BlogHer that is decent and trendy, and it would allow me to be guilt free and have that time for myself.  There is so much that I would be able to do with that $2000 and the chance to go to BlogHer.  I would be eternally grateful if I had that opportunity and I believe Energizer would be happy that they were able to help someone less fortunate.  Someone who lives from paycheck to paycheck and someone who struggles to pay the bills every month.  Someone who needs that chance to correspond with and meet other bloggers and someone who deserves to do something great for herself.  

It's quite funny, ever since I told my mom and my girls about this chance I may have, they have been very supportive.  They gave me the time to hand draw my posters, Take my pictures and write this entry.  (Yes, I drew the energizer posters by hand.  Did I mention I'm an artist?)  My girls have also added into their daily prayers, "Please God, ask Energizer to pick my mommy."  They really want me to be able to go.

Alayna's poster says, "My mommy is a Smart ChargHER! Why? 

Because she keeps going and going just like the EnergizHER bunny!

I wouldn't only be going to BlogHer, but Energizer would be ENERGIZING ME!!  They'd be powering me as much as I'd be powering BlogHer.  I would also be EMpowered.  You have no idea how appreciative I would be to get this chance.  It would mean the world to me and then some.

How could the Smart Charger impact our lives?

Those who have kids know that batteries are an essential part of our lives!  Almost EVERY toy requires batteries.  If we don't have them, what do we do??  We put up with the whining until we get some!  I've tried EVERY type of battery, which I state in my video, and I have found that Energizer was THE best and worked the longest in my kids toys.  Energizer is my savior! 

The rechargable Smart Charger is amazing.  Why do I love it? Because I can keep going and going just like the energizer bunny by just recharging my batteries.  I love everything frugal, and this is the most frugal thing I have found.  To not have to keep on buying new batteries whenever we need them!  It's useful for my children's toys as well as for my camera.  If I'm on a vacation or daycation with my kids, I can plug the smart charger in just about anywhere! I can even use it in my car!  No more worries about having batteries that aren't working or only one that's working! Watch my video for more advantages of Energizer!

Here's a small video of why I should go. :) Also my experience with Energizer.

I AM a fan of Energizer on FB and I AM registered for BlogHer.

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There are still good people in the world

I self diagnosed myself as having old car syndrome.  Yes, I made it up and yes, it makes sense to me even if it doesn't to anyone else! lol  Since I had a car that was on it's death bed for about 2 years, I was constantly worried that something would go wrong on the road.  Yes, it was a constant worry of mine.  

Now that I have a new and safe car, I don't worry as much, but I still worry.  It's old habit.  I still have that fear that my car will break down, I still have the fear something will go wrong and I still have the fear that I'll be stranded.  This fear came to light yesterday when I pulled into the grocery store parking lot and saw that my left front tire looked as it was going flat.  I freaked out.  Most people wouldn't freak when their tire was slightly going flat, but I did.  So, I was on the phone with one of my friends asking how to fill a tire with air once I got to the gas station (I'm so sheltered) and I heard a voice next to me...

"Miss, do you need air in your tire?" It was a nice old man who was probably around how old my grandfather was.  So I told him I did and he said he had a portable air compressor and a tire pressure gauge in his car.  This good samaritan, who I didn't even get his name, took time out from his day to help me when he didn't have to.  Turns out, my tire pressure in that one tire was at 18 and it should be at 30.  He filled the tire with air for me and told me what to do the next time it happens.  

I did offer him something for helping me with this, but he wouldn't take it.  He told me, "Don't worry about it.  If my daughter was in your position, I'd want someone to help her."  I was so grateful for him and didn't even get his name.  I'm actually writing a letter to my local paper to thank him for his help.  I know it's really nothing, but for someone who has that fear and for someone who has no idea what to do if I ever did need air, I was very thankful and appreciative.  I'm so happy that there are still good people in the world.  

P.S.  I now have a tire pressure gauge with me just in case I feel I need it and I'm going to buy a portable air compressor tomorrow at Target. :)  I want to take good care of my car, since it's going to have to last me quite a while!

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Another great Friday!! Social Parade and other friday follows!

We LOVE Fridays!

Who doesn't?

The weeks seem to be flying by so quickly and summer is slowly disappearing right in front of our eyes!  Of course, I'm excited time is flying because my mini vacation is nearing in the beginning of August, but soon we'll be trading in our bathing suits and vacations/daycations for early mornings with our kids, getting them to school, fighting over homework... Ahh, the joys.  I actually like the downtime of summer.  Though I'm not too fond of the heat wave we have been having -- I've never been a huge fan of the heat.

Fridays in bloggy land are great days.  They're days that we get to read some new blogs and meet some new people!  Not to mention possibly gain some new readers and reach your blog out to people who wouldn't have known it if it wasn't for Friday Follow, Social Parade, Fucked up Friday Follow and all of the other great blog hops!  

My name is Krissy and I'm a writer, blogger, artist, single mommy and super woman!!  I multi task, have eyes in the back of my head, and can flip pancakes at the same time that I'm getting my youngest daughter out of mischief!  Damn, I really need a cape and to wear my underwear on the outside of my tights... I also need a super kick ass logo on the front of my super woman leotards...

As a single mom of two rebellious girls who love to push their limits and try to stay up later and later each night, I hardly get any sleep.  Why, I'm super woman!  I can definitely run on only two hours of sleep!  Well, sometimes.  There are days you can walk into my house and well, not be able to walk in without treading through a flood of toys.  Those are the days that I just give up.  Honestly, I do try to keep up with the storm that we call hurricane Olivia and Alayna, but I'm sure every mom gives up after cleaning one room 9 times in one day.  

We have a 6 year old Teacup Yorkie with infertility problems and paranoia.  No, I'm 100% serious about this.  Pixi is my little furbaby and I love her to death.  I must love her to clean up her pee pees and poo poos multiple times daily.  Because of her paranoia of outside and paranoia of doing her business out there, I disinfect the floor daily.  Lysol, Pine Sol and other disinfectants are definitely frequented in our house.  (I was told by our vet that her paranoia is normal.  Are you serious? My dog is afraid of pissing and shitting outside? Excuse my language.)  

If I come off as a bitch sometimes, that's because I'm dieting.  Yes, I'm currently a recovering fat girl who lost almost 30lbs since this round of dieting and almost 70lbs overall.  I'm trying to find my inner skinny girl that I know is there.  I used to hide behind my weight and walk around without any confidence.  Screw that.  If people don't like me, it's their loss.  I've finally started doing something for ME and even though I may get bitchy when I get cravings and have to deny myself, I'm very happy that I am gaining the will power and accomplishing my goals one pound at a time.  

Reading new blogs and meeting new people are two things that I love to do.  Definitely do leave your mark in my comments and I'll visit you back! :)  I'm definitely an insomniac sometimes, so reading blogs = something to keep me busy when I can't sleep!

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