I'm Trying Something New....well sorta!

When I first started blogging in 2006 I never did much blog jogging.

You see I hate exercise in ANY form.

Then I realized that blog jogging was a fun way to make new friends.

But I had no idea how to begin, I mean who should I read?

So I started by visiting bloggers I knew and commenting on their blogs then visiting the blogger that commented before me on their posts.

I figured this would work out pretty well since we were reading the same blogs we must be destined to be blogging friends.

Now that I am back after over a month off, I decided it would be a fun way to get back into the swing of things and make some new blog friends in the process.

So as I have been visiting people on their blogs and commenting I am visiting the person who commented before me too.

It has been a loooong time since I have blog jogged, so I made sure to stretch first and have a Tall, Dark and Handsome close by.

After all, I could never get through a long blog jog without my beloved Diet Pepsi.

I have been blog jogging for most of the morning, there are some FABULOUS bloggers out there and I cannot believe I have been missing out.

You should try this, start here on my post...go visit the person who commented before you and tell them Mamarazzi sent ya (if you are the first one here, try the comment thread in my previous post).

Trust me it is FUN!!

I mean seriously, I love ALL of my blog friends, you all should totally know each other and bask in each other's awesomeness.

I Confess...

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First of all BIG thank you to   Debra @ Housewife Eclectic  for keeping the Friday Confessional party going! You ROCK!!


I Confess...

I really missed blogging. It was hard to just kind of walk away from the blog world for a month. I lost 903 followers, but who is counting, right?

I really needed the break. It was ALL about family and exactly what I needed.

I Confess...

I have spent more time away from my house than I have in it since October.

It has been hard having Big Daddy living at my folk's during his work weeks. I would NEVER complain but Coco hates it. A Lot. She will not stop whining about it, it's a little ridiculous.

But like I said, *I* would never say a word. *wink*

I Confess...

I did not put up a single Christmas decoration up...the only evidence that it was even Christmas was the million Holiday cards we received. Wow. We are so blessed with wonderful friends and family.

But yeah, no tree, no nothing. We haven't been home for weeks...why bother?

I Confess...

The house hunting is kind of fun, but we really need to make a decision. Today we look at 2 homes that are available immediately. This means we could be moving right away.

I Confess...

I am REALLY looking forward to packing. I love packing. I love purging and putting things aside to consign or yard sale or donate. There is something truly liberating about getting rid of stuff.

I Confess...

I love love LOVE unpacking and nesting in a new home. I am going to buy all new art work and accessories for my family room once we move and I am STOKED!

I Confess...

I have lots of Christmas pictures...my favorites are Christmas pajama pics of J and Coco tho...check out the cuteness!






and check out Coco and her FAVORITE Christmas toy...so cute.



Confession is good for the soul, I promise...so confess and link up!

I'm Back..with Resolutions!

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A!
Hosted by Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama <center><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/WWTKbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>
This week's questions come from the lovely Queso:

{1} What was the best part of 2011?
{2} What do you look forward to in 2012?
{3} Do you actually keep your New Year resolutions?
{4} What are your top 3 resolutions for the new year?
{5} Do you have any fun new years traditions or plans?

Here are my answers...I will be by to visit everyone tonight! I can hardly wait to do a little blog jogging and read all of your answers!!

{1} What was the best part of 2011?
There are soooo many parts of 2011 that were seriously awesome. But I think one of the best parts was the Summer. We had an awesome Summer. The highlight of the Summer was our first annual  MiMyMa Retreat 2011  . It will go down in history as a truly epic 10 fun filled days with 2 of my bloggy besties, now REAL life friends,  MiMi and Myya  and their kids.  Seriously, we are already planning MiMyMa 2012.

{2} What do you look forward to in 2012?
Moving. We are hoping that this week we will finally settle on a house and move in January or February. We will be close to family and living in a darling town surrounded by fabulous people.

{3} Do you actually keep your new years resolutions?
I don't usually make them, because I hate letting myself down. I am so hard on myself when I say I am going to do something and then don't follow through. BUT this year is going to be different. I have some goals in mind.

{4} What are your top 3 resolutions for the new year?
1. Be a better friend...I sometimes get so wrapped up in my family and things going on in my life that I don't take time to check in with my friends, make lunch dates and plan girl's night out. I need to fix that.
2. Make healthier choices...more exercise, more cooking healthy food and more time for self reflection and general well being. I am also going to make a real effort to do my hair and make up everyday...even when I work from home and don't leave the house. I think that will be a healthy choice in the whole mental health portion of my life. Look better, feel better. For ME!
3. Make better financial decisions...make more, spend less, save, save, save. We are going into 2012 debt free (except for my Durango) and it feels goooood to have the extra money for weekends away and little vacations. But we will not make any big purchases or taking any vacations unless we can pay cash for it this year. Yep, really.

{5} Do you have any fun new years traditions or plans?
Jordan use to have her BFF over on NYE every year, you can check out the cuteness in these posts: New Years Eve 2009, Happy New Year 2008 and Happy New Year 2007!!. Big Daddy usually works because he will swap a shift or two in order to be home the week of Christmas. So no real big traditions. This year we are at my folk's. We are caring for my Mima while my folks are in London watching my niece Taylor cheer on the All American Cheer Squad at the New Year's Day parade. We also have my nephews so I am sure it will be all about the kids...which is great with me!

All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi, Queso and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

Where To Find the Party...

As y'all know I am taking a bit of a blogging break. But the Link Parties will continue without me and I hope you will visit my temporary hosts and link up. I am fine. I WILL be back. I will be on Facebook and email.
TuesdayMiss Angie @ My So-Called Chaos is hosting My Happy List and you will find the linky LIVE on her blog at 12am PST every week.<center><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/MyHappyList-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center>

Wednesday
No temps needed my awesome co-hosts Queso and Crazymama will have the We Want to Know linky up @ 12am PST on their blogs, as always.



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Friday
You will find the Friday Confessional link every Friday @ 12am PST with  Debra @ Housewife Eclectic



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Win $20.00 Sephora Gift Card

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Hey ladies - Want a chance to win a $20 gift card to Sephora?!?

You're in luck!

'Gilbert the Gift Card Machine' is giving away more than 100 gift cards a week leading up to Gift Card Weekend.

ONE HUNDRED GIFT CARDS a WEEK!!

That $20 Sephora gift card I mentioned?

Sephora is giving those away DAILY to Facebook fans from December 19-23.

All you need to do is 'like' Gift Card Weekend on Facebook. Share with your Facebook friends and you can receive an extra chance to win for every 'like' you influence. Then stick around through the month for more giveaways!

After you’ve ‘like’ Gift Card Weekend on Facebook take a chance to familiarize yourself with them.

Gift Card Weekend is a once-a-year event where participating retail partners give featured offers for gift cards purchased during the Holiday season and redeemed from January 6 - January 8, 2012.

So, if you're a gift-giver, increase the value of your gift by purchasing gift cards from participating retail partners.

These featured offers will be available to your gift recipient for redemption during Gift Card Weekend, January 6 - January 8, 2012.

Participating stores and restaurants: 
-JCPenny 
-Regal Cinema 
-Subway 
-Sephora 
-Applebee's 
-Bass Pro Shops 
-Adidas 
-Buca di Beppo 
-Lowe's 
-Spa Finder 
-Marriot 
-Giant Eagle

PartyLite...glow times!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Oh how I love a good party.

I especially like a party where I can learn about and buy something cool.

It is always fun to gather with friends and learn about some fun new product to make life a little better and brighter!

I LOVE a good smelling house and the warm glow that come from a lovely scented candle.

PartyLite is the world's #1 direct seller of premium candles and home-fragrance products.

Their products are sold through direct sales – that is, at home parties – and on-line in every state in the U.S. and in 17 other countries.  

There’s a PartyLite party going on somewhere in the world every 18 seconds!

Um yeah, a PartyLite party going on every 18 seconds. Rad! 
  
Nearly 60,000 people worldwide sell PartyLite products and more than 12 million people attend PartyLite parties each year. 

That is a whole lot of parties going on people. Imagine the good times.

PartyLite parties are known as fun parties that can bring together friends and associates, but that's not why people buy PartyLite candles. 

People buy PartyLite candles because they love the way they look, smell and the way they burn. 

PartyLite has always offered customers Platinum Quality – the very best candles you can buy anywhere!

Even better news is that when you host a PartyLite party, there are so many FREE products you can earn! 

Woo Hoo...FREE STUFF!!

Just by bringing together friends, neighbors, and coworkers you can really redecorate and refresh your home at little to no cost! 

And on top of that, if you register by December 15th, you get automatically entered into the PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes Sweepstakes where you can possibly win 1 of 5 $500 PartyLite gift certificates! 

Yep, $500...that's a whole lot of PartyLite goodness y'all!

And we are talking about more than just scented candles... PartyLite decor is a great way to "redecorate and refresh" every season, with candle warmers, home decor accessories, reed diffusers and more!

Y;all need to go and "Like" the PartyLite Facebook page to find out about special monthly offers online for party hosts and guests.

Wouldn't it be awesome to win this fun sweepstakes – must enter by Dec. 15.

OH and the PartyLite Winter/Spring 2012 Catalog launches on Dec. 16. You don't want to miss that!

Look at this ADORABLE cupcake warmer!! Cute right?!

I grabbed this image from PartyLite's Facebook page, you gotta go check out all of the cuteness for yourself.

Go! You are going to LOVE PartyLite...I know I do!

Ho-Ho-Hold the Phone!!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sprint for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

We are long time Sprint customers.

I am talking LOYAL customers.

As in we are NEVER gonna leave Sprint, we love them that much.

Sprint's customer service is unsurpassed.

Sprint has amazing coverage.

With 3 cell phones and a tablet their unlimited usage is a must. 

And when Sprint says UNLIMITED they mean UNLIMITED.

There are zero hidden fees.

Yep, Really.

Sprint also has a HUGE selection of really great phones and they are always running some kind of amazing special.

We are talking DEALS here people.

The Holidays are upon us and we are all looking for a creaming good deal, right?

Well Sprint has you covered with FABULOUS Holiday deals on Android™ powered EVO 4G devices or EVO™ Shift devices for a limited time!

Yep, you read that right, this deal is only available for a LIMITED time, so do not walk, RUN!!

Go and get the HTC EVO™ 4G or EVO™ Shift for FREE only on Sprint here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY

But that's not all. In addition to that steal of a deal 

Check this out YO!

Get waived activation for new lines of service and free shipping from Sprint here: http://bit.ly/rBqHmY

Yep...waived activation for new lines of service AND free shipping.

So what are you waiting for?

You. Are. Welcome.

Because who has time to slim slowly?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

Breakfast is hard for me. Really hard. I just don't feel like eating first thing in the morning. 

But I KNOW that breakfast is the most important meal in a healthy diet.

So when I was sent a coupon to try the NEW Slim-Fast I was really excited!

This was the perfect solution, I could just DRINK my breakfast, perfect!

And let me tell you, this shake is YUMMY!

I tried the strawberry and it is smooth and creamy and tastes deeeeelicious!

In the most exciting launch for the brand in years, Slim-Fast has introduced its richest, creamiest, best-tasting shakes ever – all inside a deliciously convenient bottle that’s designed to go everywhere – from your purse to your desk or gym bag.

One in four people considering a diet are focused on looking great at a specific event or occasion so whether it’s a Spring wedding, reunion or vacation, Slim-Fast and its new, best-tasting shakes make it easier – and tastier – to wow the crowd.

Losing weight shouldn’t mean sacrificing taste.

The new Slim-Fast shakes will wow your taste buds, and get this, provide ups to four hours of hunger control and offer 10 grams of protein, five grams of fiber and 24 essential vitamins and minerals, making it easier for you to stick to your plan and achieve your weight loss goals.

Or if you are like me and eating breakfast is a challenge then you can really appreciate all of that good stuff and make breakfast a priority.

YUMMY flavors available in the new Slim-Fast bottle include: 
• Creamy Milk Chocolate 
• French Vanilla 
• Rich Chocolate Royale 
• Cappuccino Delight 
• Strawberries N’ Cream

I am also loving the Slim-Fast 3•2•1 Plan

The new Slim-Fast shakes are part of the Slim-Fast 3•2•1 Plan, The plan gives you quick results* - done right.

Plus it’s flexible so you can get the structure you want and the variety you crave.

Just follow the super easy plan: 

3 Snacks: Three nourishing snacks a day such as Slim-Fast 100-calorie snack bars, fruit, nuts or veggies 

Slim-Fast 100-calorie snack bars provide a delicious calorie-controlled snack to help curb sweet cravings between meals 

2 Slim-Fast Shakes or Meal Bars per day: Slim-Fast shakes and meal bars are delicious and satisfying, providing the balanced nutrition of a meal and up to four hours of hunger control 

1 Balanced Meal: Enjoy one balanced 500-calorie meal per day.

As a rule, try to fill half your plate with veggies, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with whole grains. We love brown rice, chicken and broccoli around here.

The new Slim-Fast shakes are available all over the place in the pharmacy sections of grocers and retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway and Kroger and online at Amazon.com and the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 Store on Facebook.

And holy smokes...the Holidays are upon us and the Slim-Fast 3•2•1 Plan can help you lose those unwanted pounds we all tend to pack on while basking in the warmth of good food, family and friends over the Holiday Season.

I just 'Liked' Slim-Fast on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/slimfa… and you should too, I mean why not? The New Year is just around the corner...yikes!

Mmmm Gravy

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of GravyMaster for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

I openly admit to being a "saucy" kind of girl. I love a good gravy too. There is just something that screams COMFORT FOOD when it is smothered in gravy.

But gravy is hard to do well. So if you are not as "saucy" as I am, GravyMaster® has you covered. It allows you to "Master the meal" this Holiday Season! Really, is seems fool proof, why not bask in the yummy sounds coming from your friends and family.

Because of the name, you may think GravyMaster® is just for gravy, but really it has sooooo many other uses like caramelizing foods, as well as locking in flavors and juices.

The great alternative uses also make GravyMaster® an ingredient you want to keep on hand all year long. Because really, comfort food is not just for holidays anymore, am I right?

Discover how GravyMaster® can be used in every day meals to lock in flavor and juices for grilled meats, fish and vegetables. I imagine using it in the Summer grilling will open a million possibilities for delicious grilling "saucy" goodness!

It can also be used for caramelizing veggies or other foods, is a wonderful addition to sauces and marinades, and can even be used in reduction sauces. 

Keep your food tasty and juicy with GravyMaster!



How would you use Gravy Master in your house?