I Only Brush with PINK!! WWTK wk46

pssst, before we start go here today is the last day this month to participate & win!

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama<center><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/WWTKbutton-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="null"></a></center>
Queso has decided life is just toooooo crazy busy raising littles and making a baby, so she has decided to stop co hosting and we are so sad to see her go but know she will be linking up when she has the time.

This week's questions are from your's truly, Mamarazzi, and this is what I want to know...

{1} What are your Top 3 blogging tips for other bloggers?
{2} What book have you read lately that you would recommend?
{3} What is a physical feature you have been complimented on?
{4} What color is your toothbrush?
{5} What question would you like to add to a future WWTK?

Here are MY asnwers, I cannot wait to come around and read yours!

{1} What are your Top 3 blogging tips for other bloggers?
      1. Get rid of Word Verification, use comment moderation instead. TUTORIAL I am being totally honest when I tell you I cannot read those words. Also, lots of bloggers have it and don't even know it, so be a friend and let them know.  I promise lose the WV and get more comments.
      2. Reply to comments via email, I will not return to your blog to see if you replied to my comment. In speaking with other bloggers most people do not revisit a post once they have commented.
      3. Visit other participants in Linky Parties and comment on their posts. Go make a new friend!! Don;t just link and run, visit people..they are called link PARTIES for a reason yo!

{2} What book have you read lately that you would recommend?
      Saving Cee Cee Honeycut byBeth Hoffman (I just read this for the 3rd time)

{3} What is a physical feature you have been complimented on?
      Random people tell me I have pretty eyes and I have been told I have great legs. I like my eyes because they change colors going from green to gray to brown. And yeah, my legs are HOT!

{4} What color is your toothbrush?
      PINK...of course.

{5} What question would you like to add to a future WWTK?
      If we use your question we will give you linky love...so PLEASE help us come up with some future questions!!

All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi 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!



pssst, before you go away go here today is the last day this month to participate & win!

Happy and Smiling About It!

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For this week's Happy List linking up with Emmy mom for her monthly linky party 10 things to smile about...

{one} First of all I am smiling because my sweet little Coco is feeling so much better. She had a visit from her BFF Mima today and I thought she was going to wag her tail right off. Thank you so much for your happy thoughts, good vibes and prayers on Coco's behalf. It was a rough 72 hrs but she is feeling lots better...HAPPY!



{two} Big Daddy has been working lots of overtime the last couple of months. While I miss him when he works 18 hrs a day and sleeps 4 hours and starts all over the next day, I am HAPPY that the OT is available and I will be smiling this Summer when we have the extra money for our Oregon Coast MiMyMa retreat...HAPPY!!

{three} Spring weather for most of the month here has me smiling. Blossoms on the trees and bulbs sprouting and beach weather makes me very HAPPY!!


{four} Finally getting our internet working makes me smile. It has been patchy since our move and made blog jogging a challenge. Being able to visit my friend's blogs makes me very HAPPY!

{five} I cannot stop smiling since finding iPiccy.com to replace my beloved Picnik. It makes me very HAPPY to have an exact replica of Picnik, not having to learn a new program thrills me. They are still in the BETA stages and are loading new stuff daily, but knowing I have a plan B is awesome.

{six} S'Mores with my nephews makes me HAPPY. Anytime with these little guys makes me smile, add a little chocolaty sticky goodness and using out fire pit on a clear night makes me HAPPY!!



{seven} I dropped this load of towels and sheets on the sofa to be folded the other morning and when I came back this is what I found: A stinky kid and dog enjoying the fresh warmth...I HAD to smile, how could I blame them?


{eight} I smile every time i walk up to my car and see this vanity plate that Big Daddy got for me. QTFNGRL = Cute, Fun, Girl.


{nine} My sister Meg and her little family will be here for TWO WEEKS this Summer. I have already started planning the good times. I can hardly stand it I am so excited. Her littles are darling and I cannot wait to smooch their faces!!


{ten} My brother Scotty was here in Ca for a quick business trip. I have a pile of things I have been collecting for my nephew that he and his wife Kristie are expecting in May. I asked him if he wanted to take any of it home to CO with him and I would ship the rest. He took all of the "soft" packages (clothes etc.) with him. Kristie put this on my Facebook Wall yesterday and Meg responded before I saw it. It was like eavesdropping on a conversation about you...and it made me smile. Being an Auntie makes me VERY HAPPY!!




So, What is on your Happy List this week? Grab a button, create a list and link it up! If you are visiting from Emmy Mom grab a Happy List button and add it to your 10 Things to Smile about post and link it up here too!

A Few Things You Should Know

A lot of people have sent emails and texts asking about Coco.

Basically the situation is really rather heartbreaking. She came through her surgery just fine with no complications. While she was under they also removed her back dewclaws so she has bandages on her hind legs.

She only take a few steps at a time. I put her out on the grass to see if she would go potty and she took two steps and squatted to pee. She usually sniffs around for the perfect spot but their was none of that. She just peed and then flopped on her side like she was dead. It freaked me out. So I carried her back inside.

She has barely moved since coming home yesterday at 2:30pm. It is sad and pathetic. She won't eat or drink anything. It is pretty much killing me.

I cannot leave her side without her crying and I feel like the worse Mama ever for putting her through this.

I also do not see anything longer than a 3 min shower in my immediate future. Unless she will sit with Big Daddy...which I do not see happening.

I am seriously heart broken over this and I am a hot mess with worry over her.

So thank you for the prayers, good thoughts and healing vibes, please keep them coming.

OK now for a little blog business...

I am going to bring back my weekly Etsy feature Taking Back Monday...so if you have a shop send me a note and let's talk about working together and get you on the calendar for a feature and sponsoring a giveaway.

So guess what? When the Word Verification change happened it showed up on a lot of people's blogs.

Everyone I have talked to about it had NO IDEA that it was on their blog.

The crazy thing is that as I was making my rounds and commenting I kept thinking "Man, everyone has this stupid word veri suddenly."

I thought it was weird.

It is set as a default by blogger. So check your comment settings. See a RAD tutorial HERE.

AND if you visit a blog with word veri let them know it's on their blog like a big huge comment grenade.

I have to also be REALLY honest. I cannot read the new word verification it's not just that I find it annoying that I have to jump through hoops to leave some love...I REALLY honestly and truly cannot read them. So I will try once and if it doesn't go through I need to move on. So if you have word veri and you don't get any love from me, please know I tried.

Finally...there are a few more days left in this month to enter my SocialSpark giveaway...if you sign up using my referral code you will be entered for a prize. AND Once your blog is approved I will personally send you a little gift to say thank you. It's really a win/win...make money blogging while writing ads for SocialSpark and get a little gifty from Mamarazzi. Make sure you let me know what name you used to sign up AND let me know once your blog is approved. I don't want to miss anyone.

Sexy Time Confessions

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I Confess...

It is 8pm on Thursday as I type and schedule this post and I can barely keep my eyes open.

I am sooooo tired.

I have not been sleeping well. It's been a long time since I have gone without sleep like this.

I Confess...

I think I might have restless leg syndrome.

Big Daddy thinks I am nuts. He thinks I see any pharmaceutical ad on TV and think "Oh, I totally have that!"

And really, it's not at all true. I don't do that with everything and I am far from a pill popper.

I Confess...

I lay in bed sooooooo tired, praying to fall asleep and my legs just feel like they want to run a marathon.

Which is bananas cuz Mama don't run. Ever.

It is just sooo annoying my legs won't stay still so that I can sleep.

Any suggestions? Besides Big Daddy's suggestion for more sex...it didn't work.

Speaking of sex...

I Confess...

Coco has been VERY unhappy with us, we put her in her kennel when we have "sexy time" and she is usually OK with it.

I Confess...

The reason we put her in the kennel is because she will not stay off the bed and is all up in our biznass and, well...that's weird.

Anyway...

The other night Big Daddy went and got her from her kennel and she jumped up on the bed and POOPED!

What the hizzle? I was shocked!!!

I don't know what she was trying to tell us but I am pretty sure she wasn't happy with us.

Whatever...Mama needs her sexy time.

Speaking of Coco..

I Confess...

I am REALLY scared to take her to get fixed.

Her appointment is TODAY (Friday @ 8am) and I have been a little on the verge of tears all day.

I worry her disposition will change.

She really is the sweetest dog ever (the poop thing is something she has never done).

We allowed her to have a cycle based on our Veterinarian's advice, which was that she would stay a cool and calm dog if we let her.

She has had 2 cycles and tomorrow is the big day.

I Confess...

I am worried about her being under anesthesia or something going wrong.

I am pretty sure my heart will break is anything happens to her.

So could you please say a little prayer, think a happy thought, send a good vibe...for my little Coco?

Thanks.

What are you confessing today? Grab a button and link of your confessional post. If you have word verification on your blog I won't be able to leave a comment. I cannot read those things and I have a million blogs I want/need to visit. Sorry...word verification hates me, and the feeling is mutual.

Did you see my post yesterday? Wanna be the coolest blogger ever? Read it and be enlightened...and if you think I am kidding, read the comment thread, it's no joke, the people have spoken and I am not alone!!

Making Commenting EASY!

I LOVE visiting blogs and leaving lots of comment love.

I do my very best to follow everyone who comments on my blog back to their blogs to comment.

I also work hard to visit everyone who links up for any of my link parties.

This is time consuming but it is something that I TRULY enjoy...when a blogger makes it EASY to comment on their blog.

I seriously dislike having to jump through hoops to leave a comment.

So raise your hand if you HATE the new word verification?

(Whoa! That is a LOT of hands up)

Good to know I am not alone.

To be honest, Word Verification and I have never been friends.

But the NEW version of word veri sucks even harder than the original, and I didn't think that was even possible.

So do you want to make it EASY for people to visit and comment on your blog?

Get rid of word verification...and switch to pop up commenting, if you want to be REALLY cool.

"But Mamarazzi, I want to be cool, but I have no idea how to make these changes", you say.

No worries my friends, no worries at all. I've got you totally covered.

My friend  Brandy @ You Don't Know  did an amazeballs tutorial, with pictures, that walks you through it step by step!

You can find that tutorial here: Blog Tip #4

You. Are. Welcome.

Spa Day? Yes, please!! WWTK wk45

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 Crazymama wants to know how you pamper yourself...

{1} What is your go to color if you paint your nails? do your toes and fingernails match?
{2} Have you ever gone for a mani/pedi? how often do you go?
{3} Do you color your hair? do you have a salon do it or do you do it yourself?
{4} Facials...have you ever had one?
{5} Would you or have you ever done botox?
{6} Beauty knows no pain, do you believe in waxing, electrolisis, eyelash extentions, anti-aging creams, micro-dermabrasion, peels, botox?

Here are my answers, I will be around to visit your blog and comment on your answers soon!!

{1} What is your go to color if you paint your nails? do your toes and fingernails match?
PINK on my toes, always. I never paint my nails...but I am thinking I might like to try those cool decal things one of these days.

{2} Have you ever gone for a mani/pedi? how often do you go?
I use to get my nails and toes done every other week. I stopped getting my nails done 5 yrs ago. I think about that money, and I could have paid for a cruise or something even more rad. I haven't had a pedicure for over a year. I challenged myself to see if I could go all Summer without one. I made it. Now I REALLY want one. It's all this fabulous flip flop weather we have been getting here.

{3} Do you color your hair? do you have a salon do it or do you do it yourself?
Yep. I am about 20% gray...or more, but I haven't come to terms with the real %. My sister Amy colors it for me and she does an amazing job. I use Dark Brown by L'OREAL (in the pinkish box) gorgeous all over color, I LOVE it. The color really lasts, doesn't fade to green and leaves my hair super shiny and fabulous! For $7 it makes me REALLY happy.

{4} Facials...have you ever had one?
Yes, back when I had a disposable income I would spend lots of money going to the spa with my friends, and I always splurged on a facial. I don't spend money on that sort of thing anymore. Honestly, I think it is because I have other things in my life making me happy. Strange realization as I type all of this. Hmm.

{5} Would you or have you ever done botox?
Nope. I will just use sunscreen and take good care of my skin.

{6} Beauty knows no pain, do you believe in waxing, electrolisis, eyelash extentions, anti-aging creams, micro-dermabrasion, peels, botox?
I prefer threading when it comes to my eyebrows (and um, any 'stray eyebrows' that find their way to my chin, *le sigh*) I think there is less tugging around the eye area and I am pretty particular about stuff on my skin.

I would love to get some eyelash extensions, that would be RAD, but totally frivolous.

Electrolysis would be awesome. Most def something I am considering doing one of these days.

I messed my skin up pretty bad this past Summer, and have some scars. I recently started using this Micro-dermabrasion Treatment from Mary Kay and I think I might be in love. GREAT product for a GREAT price. If you want some I can totally hook you up, just click the picture!


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!

Just...Happy.

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After spending so much time around teenagers, getting ready for the upcoming Spring Musical at the High School I have come to realize, even more than ever before, that MY teenager is awesome.

And that makes me HAPPY!!

We had a rough few months with her when she was feeling very torn between her parents and who she could love and not knowing if she could love both and all the crap that involves (crap placed on her by her other family and not us). Even through all of that garbage she was never disrespectful or rude, she was simply confused and distant.

But our sweet girl is BACK!

We love the way our relationship has evolved and grown through the years. J is a great kid, making great choices and she TALKS to us about the details of her life.

I really love that. I am so HAPPY that we have such open and honest communication, that she wants to spend time with us and that she is growing into a truly lovely young woman.

AND

Jordan is HAPPY that she got her braces off last week...


Here is a little before and after comparison. Do you remember that she got BOTH glasses and braces in the same month, just weeks before the first day of 8th grade? That is the stuff good character is made of!

Close up....


The difference is amazing, she needs a couple of veneers and is practicing smiling with "less gums" but the transformation is beautiful and she is HAPPY!!

We are in BIG trouble..Big Daddy put this on his Facebook,


J thought it was hilarious.

So, what is on YOUR Happy List this week? Grab a button, add it to your Happy List and link THAT post up!

I HEART Picnik, Do You?!

Hi,

Picnik, the ultimate photo editing site that is adored all over this globe is shutting down on April 19th. Unless we do something about it. Please, whether you've ever used it or not, or whether you're an avid photographer, or just stumbled onto this petition... PLEASE take the time to sign it. We WILL stop Picnik from shutting down.

Let's get #savingpicnik trending on Twitter!

Like "Saving Picnik" on Facebook: HERE

That's why I signed a petition to Jonathan Sposato, CEO of Picnik.com, which says:

"Don't shut down Picnik! It's the best photo editing site out there, especially for amateurs, and many will be lost without it! Picnik corporates, PLEASE don't shut down!"

Will you sign this petition? CLICK HERE

Thanks!

I Confess...I Might not Be as Cool as I Think I am

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I Confess...

I have been spending a lot of time around High School students lately. As you may already know I am doing the costuming for the local High School's Spring Musical...High School Musical. My sister Amy is the musical director and I was at her rehearsal the other day, with the full cast.

But before I get into that, let me tell you about my sister Amy...

Amy is a musical goddess. She has real talent that she WORKED hard for...singing, reading music etc did not come naturally to her, even though she loved it. She has studied and worked and trained her voice. So she really knows how to help others do the same thing.

OK back to the rehearsal. I was in the back of the room as she was teaching the kids the harmonies and working hard to get them to pay attention.

I Confess...

I was surprised by the lack of respect by some of these kids. Amy is not a hard ass. In fact she is pretty laid back and most of the teens really love her and enjoy working with her.

But

She spent so much time trying to get everyone to stay on task and learn the music that much of the rehearsal time was wasted.

This is a talented group of kids. I have been attending the Spring Musicals at this High School for a long time.

I Confess...

I found myself really wanting to jump in and lay down the law. I am not use to snarky teenagers. J is pretty respectful and has never been much of a discipline problem.

Not to say that these kids were acting like hoodlums or anything, but it made me sad to watch my sister work her butt of to teach them (so they would look and sound good on stage) and they were wasting time and energy goofing off.

I Confess...

I was probably a lot like that when I was their age. High School was all about social time for me. I wanted to be the center of attention and make people laugh and love me.

(I might still be a little like that...hello, I have a blog)

I Confess...

I got in my own fair share of trouble for not paying attention and being rude to my teachers.

I regret that. I have for a long time. But watching my sister be the teacher that everyone was exasperating kinda broke my heart a little.

It also reminded me that by doing this work for the kids I am in a small way trying to make it up to the teachers who gave there all and wasted a lot of time trying to get ME to stay on task.

Or at least I hope it makes it up a little...

I Confess...

It is not too late to enter my latest giveaway...come read the details HERE!

Big Daddy: Peanut Butter, Crunchy Versus Creamy

Big Daddy is currently working full time AND going to college. Yep, my husband goes to college. I love that about him. Sometimes he KILLS me with his assignments.{Sometimes because he waits for the last minute, knocks it out and gets an A for it. Annoying, but also awesome} Mostly because he makes choices on topics he finds funny, things that entertain him...as long as he is doing work, he may as well enjoy it, right?

The following is a Compare Contrast assignment he wrote for an English Composition class.

Hey y'all I had to remove Big Daddy's paper because he turns in his work via TurnItIn.com and when his teacher went to grade his paper it had been flagged as a plagiarized paper from www.ourdandelionwishes.com. 

YES my husband was accused of plagiarizing his OWN paper.
it's kind of a mixed bag of funny and lame.

He has emailed his instructor and we are waiting for a response to see if his grade can be changed.

PLEASE cross your fingers. This is lame and I have learned my lesson not to post his papers until AFTER they have been graded.

Just out of curiosity...do you prefer Creamy or Crunchy Peanut Butter...vote in my poll on the sidebar.

Let's Talk About Looooove! WWTK wk44

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>
Yours truly, Mamarazzi, is asking the questions this week, and I want to talk about LOVE...


{1} How was your Valentine's Day?
{2} What is your favorite flower? Did your honey get them for you?
{3} Was Valentine's Day a big deal when you were a kid?
{4} Did you put up any Valentine's Day decorations? (bonus points for a picture)
{5} Do you have any Valentine's Day traditions?

{1} How was your Valentine's Day?
Well...it ended well. I had this FABULOUS idea that Coco should deliver Valentine balloons to Mima. I thought it would be adorable. So I tied the balloons to Coco's sweater and let her loosem thinking she would run up the steps and into the house to Mima.

I was wrong. Dead wrong. Coco did not like the balloons that were chasing her and freaked out. She went running and all i could imagine was her getting hit by a car or disappearing forever. It was 3 minutes of total horror. But we finally got a hold of her, after she pooped all over the place, and calmed her down.

So it was far less fabulous and adorable than it was suppose to be.

She and Big Daddy stopped speaking to me for a few hours. Big Daddy eventually forgave me and Coco is thinking about it.

HAPPY Valentine's Day...notice the terrified look on Coco's face and the way Mima is protecting her from the big bad balloons? Yep, mother of the year here.



{2} What is your favorite flower? Did your honey get them for you?
A lot of women got red roses for Valentine's Day this year. Unless this is your favorite flower I think it is silly. Let me tell you why. Men, being the silly little creatures that they are, automatically think that red roses are the best way to show a woman that they care. Why? I will tell you, too much TV. Yep, commercials. My opinion, get a woman her favorite flower IF your REALLY want to show her you care. Right?

OK, tangent over. I LOVE Gerbera Daisies..all shades of PINK. They are sturdy and last forever and are just cheerful! And no. I did not get any for Valentine's Day. But that is because I told Big Daddy not to waste money on flowers, unless it is an out of the blue, "just because" moment.



{3} Was Valentine's Day a big deal when you were a kid?
It was HUGE...picking out the perfect Valentines to pass out at school. Making and decorating my little Valentine mailbox out of a shoe box. Going through all of my Valentines over and over again. LOVED Valentine's Day...loved it!

{4} Did you put up any Valentine's Day decorations? (bonus points for a picture)
YES I decorated my Mantel and put a few little bits of Valentine goodness throughout the house. Nothing too terribly over the top.



{5} Do you have any Valentine's Day traditions?
Nope. We celebrated Valentine's Day in Feb 2010 it was awesome. In 2008 Big Daddy hijacked this here blog and wrote me a love letter it was awesome. As far as traditions go, we fly pretty fast and loose with Valentine's Day.

Here's the thing. We tell each other EVERYDAY how much we love each other. Big Daddy constantly reminds me of his love for me through the little things he does for me. Because the L-O-V-E is in the little details in life. The way he brings me a Tall Dark and Handsome when a Diet Pepsi from a fountain, over ice balls is exactly what I need. And how he places my pillows perfectly for me so that when I come to bed they are ready for me to snuggle down into. And how he opens doors for me, or tells me how pretty I am, how I can't walk past him without a kiss or a pat on the booty...it's all little but it all means so much. I never question how much he loves me, I KNOW he does...so if the occasional Valentine's Day is an epic fail I am totally cool with that.

Yep, really.

Looking forward to coming around and reading your answers!!

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!

Mama's Happy Helper

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I have had a bit of a funky virus and haven't been able to keep anything down for a few days. Coco really worries about me when I am sick. She has been in my face (literally) "taking care of mama". I am so happy and grateful for the love that she she shows me. Even when I am pushing her out of the bathroom as vomit...she has no concept of personal space.





The weather here has been so Springlike and gorgeous that even nature is confused. My mom's daffodils think it is time to bloom. Coco and I walked over for a visit the other day and she was HAPPY to explore the backyard while we visited.





Speaking of exploring the backyard. My nephews came over the other day and wanted to check out our backyard. We are seeding for grass so the majority of the backyard is dirt and seed. I told the boys to stay off the dirt, not wanting it tracked back into my new house and the new carpet. I was happy to see that my nephews found a creative way to get from one side of the yard to the other.





Happy Valentine's Day...




"I know I'm angry, but later I'll be fine. You're just a moron, but at least you're mine. And you can bet I'll never let you forget, when you forgot about Valentine's Day"

Sing it sistah!

I love you Boo boo...Happy Valentine's Day. One of these days we will actually get around to celebrating this holiday again. Or not, I love you either way. Lucky you.

I Confess...I Whine Sometimes

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I Confess...

I am STILL totally afraid to make a nail hole here in the new house. I have yet to hang a single picture. It's totally ridiculous. I need to just hang one picture and get the ball rolling and then I will be done in no time.

But

I am skeeeeeeerd. I know it is silly.

I Confess...

Living close to family is something I do not think will get old anytime soon. I really love it.

A. Lot.

I Confess...

I love my new house so much that I don't want to post pictures of it because I don't want other people not to love it as much as I do.

I Confess...

I have been eating a lot of pickles lately. I LOVE pickles, but I might be taking the love to a bit of an obsession.

I Confess...

This feels like a really kind of whiny and random post. Sorry about that. I will take the weekend to get over myself.

What are you confessing this week? Grab a button, add it to your confessional post and link THAT post up.

AT&T U-Verse For The Win!

This is NOT an ad.  I am NOT being compensated for this post and am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.  This post is 100% the personal opinions and feelings of a consumer.

This is also a little wordy...so please bare with me here, I promise I do have a point.

   

When you move one of the decisions you need to make is what television service you will hook up.  Back when we first moved to the Monterey Bay Area we subscribed to DirecTV.  This was back in 2005 so my memory of dates is fuzzy, but for the first 6 or 8 months of service we were pretty satisfied with the quality of our satellite television service.  

In the summer of 2006 we moved from the Monterey Bay Area to the Central Valley.  Soon after we moved we started noticing some difficulties with our DirecTV service.  The DVR receiver would freeze and we spent countless hours on the phone trouble shooting and resetting the receiver.  DirecTV tried making things right by sending us replacement receivers.  Each one would work for a few weeks then we experienced the same issues.  All of this was carefully detailed and recorded in my account at my request so that the experience was easily explained to each subsequent customer service representative.  

Finally after I was sure our agreement with DirecTV had expired I decided we would switch service providers.  I contacted Dish Network and set up an installation date.  I then called DirecTV to cancel my service.  When they were going through the process the representative told me that my contract was not up yet.  I told her that had to be a mistake because I was sure it had been over a year since I set up with them.  I was told that each time they sent me a new receiver my contract was renewed.  I explained that was 1) never explained to me (read the fine print is what I was told) and 2) that was ridiculous because the equipment was faulty and not caused by anything I had done.  I was told there was nothing they could do and I would be responsible for the $200+ early cancellation fee.  I went up the chain trying to find a supervisor that would see how unfair this was for me to be charged to no avail.  

I was told that was the DirecTV policy and nothing could be done.  I had some choice words for DirecTV and vowed I would NEVER, EVER, EVER subscribe to DirecTV again. AND take every opportunity I could to let people know about them and their horrible and unethical services. I did not pay and that is evidenced by the negative entry on my credit report.  We were pretty satisfied with Dish Network and had no issues with them for the duration of our subscription. 

One day a nice young man was walking our neighborhood telling people about a new AT&T television service called U-verse.  He told us they would offer a 4 channel HD DVR, with Dish we had 2 channels, and the DVR service would be whole house, meaning every TV in the house could access the DVR recordings.  This was pretty new and exciting technology in 2009.  The service was cheaper, had more channels, and there was no contract! 

We signed up immediately!  

We fell in love with the 4 channel recording capabilities.  The U-verse internet was fast and reliable.  We never regretted the switch.  The few times we had technical issues AT&T had a service person at the house the next day, and when he showed up he actually left a business card with his cell number on it along with an invitation to call him directly if we needed any more help.

Now this brings us to today.  We have moved back to Monterey Bay Area and to our dismay, AT&T U-verse is not offered in our area.  I tried and tried but it just isn’t happening.  Our other choices were Charter cable, DishNetwork and DirecTV.  Well, obviously, DirecTV was out of the question, never even a consideration.  I have not heard good things about Charter and the services they offered didn’t seem as good as what Dish Network was offering.  We signed up with DishNetwork.

First of all, we are back to a 2 channel DVR.  This puts a serious cramp in our recording experience.  My work hours and the shows we like tend to conflict, this means we record a lot to watch together when I am off work, when two shows are recording we have no choice but to watch a previously recorded show, with AT&T U-verse you could record up to 4 shows at once or use any combination of live TV and recorded shows that utilized the 4 channels of the DVR.  Uverse also had an awesome In Demand service.  Great movies from each of the premium networks, HBO, Showtime, TMC, etc. and TV shows from all networks were available to watch at any time.  

Dish Network has a lame excuse for In Demand.  First of all, the shows and channels listed online as available are different from what can be viewed on the receiver.  I called Dish and was told that that is just the way it is, you can watch some shows online and different ones on your home TV.  

The movies available through DishNetwork need to be downloaded.  You can’t just watch a show, you have to download it through an internet connection and the HD versions can take up to 2 hours to download.  That is if you can keep the receiver connected to the internet.  I have tried for over a week to download a movie, each time it begins to download then stops with an error message saying the internet connection was lost and the movie could not be downloaded.  I call AT&T U-verse to check our DSL.  They verified our service and made sure it is connected correctly.  I contacted Dish Network and spent 30 minutes with tech support only to be told they couldn't help me but I would have to contact a higher level of support within the Dish Network support group.  I have yet to have the time to spend with them on the phone but I am not optimistic about the outcome of that call.

All in all Dish Network does not even begin to compare to AT&T U-verse.  Uverse has proven to provide the highest level of customer care and support.  They use far superior technology, and have for several years.  I am amazed that Dish has yet to catch up to what I see as a basic level of technology for the type of service they provide.

 
If you have AT&T U-verse available to you I HIGHLY recommend the change.  If you are suffering through Dish Network orDirecTV, I feel your pain.

 

Believe me, I am checking almost monthly to see if AT&T is offering U-verse in our area and will not rest until they do.

Again, this was not a compensated post.  The opinions expressed here are 100% mine and not paid for. If you happen to be reading from AT&T U-verse please, please, please make your service available in our area. 

I know several people who would sign up right now!

I Just Like EVERYTHING Organized..yes, everything.

 

OK y'all...I may have found a new obsession. I LOVE everything in my life to be organized.

EVERYTHING! Some might say I am a control freak, call it what you want I just live my life a certain way and it works for me.

Sooooo when I heard about clipix I may have squealed a little. And clapped my hands.

Clipix is a free, awesome, new and useful tool that is changing the way we organize our lives online.

It solves the problem we all have of seeing tons of things online each day and never having a good way to save and organize them, not everything can be pinned y'all.

You can use clipix to keep everything you find online that you want to save and come back to.

Clipix allows you to maintain customized privacy settings so you can organize your online life and share only with people you want to grant access to your clipboards.

How does it work? It's really easy actually...

You drag a bookmark called the "Clip" button to your bookmarks bar.

You then click it whenever you see anything online that you want to come back to.

It REALLY is just that easy!

Everything you clip will be stored in customized clipboards on clipix that you organize and control.

You can make clipboards for anything, whether it’s articles you want to read, gadgets you’re thinking of buying, gift ideas for family members, or recipes you can't wait to try.

The list is literally endless.

There is even an Phone app so you can take all of your clipix with you. RAD!!

There are also Syncboards. They allow you to clip collaboratively with your friends or family. YAY! I love sharing and seeing what my friends are sharing. When anyone adds a clip to the syncboard, everyone else you collaborate with will see it in real-time.

Another super awesome feature of clipix is the Multiboards. You can group multiple clipboards by category to stay better organized.

I could go on and on but once you start using it you’ll be as addicted as I am.

I have already found some FABULOUS recipes and fun crafts to do with kids and even Coco has her own clipboard.

Sign up and let's be clipix friends. What will you use your clipix for?

Check out the video...then get to clipix and sign up!!

Promoted Post

Ever Re-gift? WWTK wk43

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>

Yours truly, Mamarazzi, is asking the questions this week, and I will admit it's a little random.

{1} What is for dinner tonight (bonus for sharing the recipe)?
{2} Share something you are currently looking forward to.
{3} What are your thoughts on re-gifting?
{4} How often do you rearrange your furniture?
{5} Share a picture from your cellphone or camera.

{1} What is for dinner tonight (bonus for sharing the recipe)?
It is cold and rainy here this week, so I am feeling like some Chicken and Dumpling Soup. Just click that for the recipe, and some adorable pictures of Jordan from 2008 in my old little bitty kitchen, good times.

{2} Share something you are currently looking forward to.
Big Daddy and I are going to Disneyland in May. We are even taking Coco with us and she will stay at the Disneyland Kennel where she will have her own magical Disney experience and we can stop in to play with her since she will be right there at the park, so fun!

MiMyMa 2012 where we will be spending a week at this lovely beach house MiMyMa 2011 was soooo much fun  MiMi and Myya  came to my house with their kids and we had such an amazing time that we decided it needed to happen every year! You can check out the VLOG we made HERE!! I added a little ticker to my sidebar. I can hardly wait!!

I am also hoping that  Crazymama  and her herd come and see us this Summer.

So yeah, lots to look forward to!

{3} What are your thoughts on re-gifting?
I have re-gifted. I have also been the recipient of a re-gift. I have no problem with it at all. In fact I even have a little gift closet that has stuff to "pass along" when I need a gift on the go. I think it is better to find a home for something adorable but not really "me" rather than let a gift sit unused.

{4} How often do you rearrange your furniture?
I use to move stuff around a lot. The LAST time I was in the middle of a major house transition, moving J to the old playroom and the playroom to the family room and the family room to the living room...you get the idea total chaos...when I had my "brush with death". Recovering for several months and seeing the mess that was waiting for me was depressing...I will NEVER do that to myself again. PLUS we just moved here so I am hoping I won't be moving furniture again for a VERY long time.

{5} Share a picture from your cellphone or camera.



Looking forward to coming around and reading your answers!!
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!

Happy Kid equals Happy Mama

<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>

Having a HAPPY teenager makes this mama very HAPPY. So my entire Happy List this week is about this fun evening...

J went to her first formal dance this past weekend. You remember Isaiah right? Big Daddy and I took them to dinner not that long ago to get to know this really great kid. It was actually J's suggestion that we go on a double date.

Friday night, the night of the Winter Formal, we picked up Isaiah and drove him and Jordan to Cool Hand Lukes (J's choice) for dinner before the dance.




Before dinner they exchanged flowers...Isaiah picked out a beautiful white rose wrist corsage for Jordan.




We sat across the restaraunt and left them alone to eat and enjoy their date...until Big Daddy decided he wanted to see what they ordered for dinner...LOL. Check out that rib eye J ordered, Daddy was proud.

After dinner there was a lot of time to kill before the dance was suppose to begin so J decided Baskin and Robbins was the perfect place for some dessert!




We stopped for a lot of picture opportunities, J wanted a lot to choose from so we took MANY!!




The kids kept wanting new and different poses but they were a mile apart in each picture, so I suggested this pose and said, "OK now go cheek to cheek" They started giggling, so I said (a little louder and more demanding) "I said CHEEK TO CHEEK!!" It was all over after that. Jordan and Isaiah would randomly growl "I SAID CHEEK TO CHEEK!!" over and over and crack themselves up. Isaiah noted that he was glad that we now had an inside joke we could laugh about for years to come. I thought that was sweet.




Of course her first date will always have been with her Daddy. He was a really good sport, and was genuinely excited that J was going to her first formal dance. But I imagine it is also hard to know that she will have more regular dates than Daddy/Daughter dates from this point forward.




I am so HAPPY that our little girl is growing into such a lovely young woman. I am HAPPY that she chose to wear a little jacket and cover herself up, knowing that "modest is hottest". I saw a lot of dresses that night and dresses all over blogs recently that made me SOOO HAPPY and thankful that J is not in a big hurry to grow up and show off her body. I am HAPPY that her self esteem comes from within, and that she has no idea how truly beautiful she ALSO is on the outside....something that makes her even prettier, in my opinion.