Thankful monday

Thankful Monday

 

 

 

The opportunity to go to school and pursue my dreams

 

 

A supporting family

 

 

My new car ( did I add this one last week?)

 

 

A mother in law that is close so she is here whenever we need her to be to help out!

 

 

Coupons.... its my new thing lol



Mesothelioma Awarness Day

I received an email from a woman named Emily Walsh.  She is the Community Outreach Director for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Since Mesothelioma awareness day is Today, September 26th, she asked if I would share an article she wrote to help people better understand what it is. She thought that since US veterans and military members are the most at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer that it was very important to get her word out there! I know that I myself have been worried about asbestos exposure around base facilities and I know that I am not alone.

Below is a copy of the article she wrote as well as a link to it on her webpage. I hope you learn a few things from this as well as help to spread the word about Mesothelioma!

Mesothelioma -- a long word you may have heard on a commercial or two, but do you know what it means? This rare and deadly cancer is sadly lacking awareness. In honor of Mesothelioma Awareness Day this September 26, read on for the top 8 things you don’t know about this cancer, but should. Then share them. The key to saving lives starts with education.

" The Key to saving lives starts with awareness"

8 Things You Should Know About Mesothelioma

Posted by Emily Walsh

1. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is invisible to the naked eye. Once inhaled, these fibers may infect the protective lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity, or cardiac cavity.
2. No amount of exposure is safe. Just exposing yourself once could put you at risk for developing the disease later on in life. If you were exposed today, you may not be aware until 2043, as the average latency period is about 30 – 40 years.
3. Asbestos was once used in more than 3,000 consumer products. These include household items, some of which may still be in use. Some of these even include hair dryers, crock pots, and cigarette filters.
4. It can be found in many older homes, schools, factories, and commercial buildings. Homes built prior to the 1970’s, along with a myriad of public buildings still could potentially contain asbestos because of the materials used in the original construction.
5. Asbestos exposure is still the LEADING CAUSE of occupational cancer in the US. Even after 30 years since the United States government issued stern warnings about the continued use of asbestos, many workers who were once exposed are now at risk of developing the disease.
6. United States Veterans are at the greatest risk. For many years, asbestos was used across all branches of the military. Many veterans and shipyard workers were exposed to high levels of asbestos from several different applications. US Navy veterans who served during World War II and the Korean Conflict unfortunately have the highest incidences of asbestos related disease, including mesothelioma.
7. Asbestos is still not banned in the US. Federal law requires the newly manufactured products contain no more than 1% asbestos. Although its use is regulated, roughly 30 million pounds are still being used each year.
8. Mesothelioma can be caused by secondary exposure. Family members of those who were directly affected by on-the-job asbestos exposure may also at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Want to do something to help this Mesothelioma Awareness Day? Our friend and 7 year survivor, Heather Von St. James, needs your help. Check out her campaign and share her message to help educate and save lives. Be a voice for the victims.


Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/emily/8-things-you-should-know-about-mesothelioma.htm#ixzz2eQmIBfy2

A Beautiful Mess

Most of you have seen the link to the blog where the woman talks about how women judge each other, moms judge each other. In fact a lot of us have written blog posts about that exact post. I thin it really opened up our eyes to reality.  Every mom wants to be the perfect mom, the sporty mom, the crafty mom, the mom that always looks amazing, the religious mom. We compare ourselves to each and every mom we see, that's just what we as moms do. You can say that you don't do that and I will smile and nod knowing that its not the truth. That used to be me. I like to think of myself as a good woman. A good wife, a good mom, a good friend. One who doesn't judge others or compare myself to them. It was a lie. Im not saying Im not a good person, I am saying Im human. I make mistakes. I look at women and wonder how they are so crafty, or how they have time to make item after item for the bake sale all while raising 3 children, taking care of the home while their husband is deployed and still manage to look amazing! I admit I am a bit jealous of those women!

MOPS has started up this year and I am extremely excited to have found such a great group of ladies ( who I still don't know very well since it was only one meeting). I had to smile when I walked in and see 10/15 women in charge wearing yoga pants and their hair a mess. Not because that's just the way they are, but they wanted to set the theme of this years MOPS.  This year MOPS decided to call their year "A Beautiful mess" When I saw that on my MOPS intro folder and listened to the MOPS president I had to just smile. This is exactly what I needed. I needed to realize that we are not perfect, no one is. So today I decided to 'Embrace My Story".


I am either really early or late, never right on time

I tend to make the same thing over and over for dinner because I am so picky and hate trying other recipes.

I cant for the life of me figure out how to have perfect hair

There is not a day that goes by that I don't spill some sort of food item on myself

I may be thin but I never have the time or drive to go to the Gym

I am not crafty what so ever

I stare into my closet for ever trying to find an outfit

Im impatient

Im emotional

I don't always have time to shave

I often use Finding Nemo as bait so I can get a break during the day

My son wont eat his veggies

M and I have our arguments

I am indecisive

I stress

I often speak without thinking, then regret it later

I find random people to talk to because Im desperate for adult interaction

I love spending money

Im not perfect. I know this. I need to learn to embrace who I am. Not look at others and compare myself to her. I don't think this MOPS theme could have came at a better time. I think its time for us moms to be confident in who we are. Each and every mom out there struggles everyday. Even if she looks composed on the outside, maybe her house is a mess. We have all been there and will be there again and often. So we need to support one another, not judge each other.

That woman's blog post has opened my eyes, as it has done to many other moms. Then with this MOPS theme starting, It will help even more. This is the start of something new, something better. It will help moms come together like God intended not make us enemies.








 

StarLooks StarBox: September Review

 I got my September StarBox from StarLooks today! Of course I am always excited for my subscription boxes every month. Sad to say this will be my last box with StarLooks. I am just not happy with their boxes. Ipsy is my go to. Much cheaper and better items! Not that I don't love the StarLooks brand though!!

First in My September StarLooks StarBox was the Lip Gloss in Pearl Necklace.

In the tube this is such a pretty color. I was afraid it would go on a bit metallic though. I was wrong.. it went on clear. I am not seeing any color to it what so ever. Which is fine I need a new clear coat for my lipsticks but still a bummer. No one wants to spend $12.00 for a clear coat, especially when its such an awesome brand! I would have loved to have some color! The lip gloss ( besides the color) is really awesome though!

Price:$12.00



Next in the box was their Infinity Eyeliner  In Milky Way.

 
 

First off I am not a fan of any color eyeliner besides Black. So, although I will try this maybe as something a little different, I will not use it as my main liner. It is a pretty color though, just not for a liner. It is very creamy so I might actually try one of their liners in black.

Price: $13.00


Last was their Fashion Lashes

 Another one of their products I probably wont use. Unless I decide to use them at my brothers wedding in a few weeks, yes that's what I will do! These ones are a bit thick looking for me so I will have to give them a shot!

Price: $13.00



StarLooks had the idea of getting everyone to step out of the box this month. That's great!! Its always good to do, just not for me!  I am looking forward to seeing what other people have to say about the upcoming StarBoxes!

 

Thankful Monday

Thankful Monday

 

 

 

For Health Insurance and being able to go to the doctors when I need to.

 

 

 

That we are getting an invisible fence put in for the dogs today.

 

 

 

For family.

 

 

 

For weddings ( more on that at a different time)

 

 

 

For fall weather.

 

 

 

Today we are finally getting an invisible fence put in!  We were gonna go with a normal fence but after being quoted $10,000 for a simple fence we changed our minds. Country living has grown on us and besides the money issue, I think having a fence would change that feeling. There is nothing like having a huge open backyard. But with that said we need something to keep the dogs in and away from the road so an invisible fence is what needs to happen. This company is awesome though. They put it in and train all my dogs rather then just letting them find out for themselves. So I am petty excited!

 

 

We had all of M's family over Saturday for a bbq and later that night we sat around the fire just talking. It was amazing!! That is how I pictured living in my new home would be. What a blessing to be so close to family again!

The Best Is Yet To Come: Mascara Reviews

If your anything like me, you have a hard time finding a good mascara. You look and look and go through a million until you find a good one, then all of a sudden it stops being amazing (Kind of like shampoo, you always need to switch it up) OR even worse, they discontinue it! Well I have yet to find the perfect mascara for me.

Now I know every woman is different. We all might not like the same type of mascara because we all have different personalities and different eye lashes!! But I decided last night while trying to scrub off one brand of mascara (and having a hard time doing so) that I wanted to write a post about the ones I have in my makeup box right now and what I think about them!

I probably have way too many different types of mascara but I do use each and every one of them weekly!


We will start out with Arbonne's 'Its a Long Story' Mascara $36.00

I used to sell Arbonne, for a very very short time. Shortly after I decided to stop, they came out with this new mascara. Knowing that their products are free of chemicals and animal grossness ( as well as a review from a friend) I decided to try it. First off, the brush is perfect. Exactly what I like to use with my mascara. The first time I used it I wasn't blown away with it but I still liked it. It grew on me. It wouldn't clump up like so many do but it didn't make my lashes look as long as I had hoped. With a good makeup wash it came off great as well!

I would have to say this is one of my favorites from my box, for now.



Next we have Bare Minerals 'Lash Domination' Mascara. $18.00

I got this one as a sample mascara when I bought the Naked palette from Sephora. Right away I knew I wasn't going to like it. The second I took it the brush out It was caked on there. Thick and clumpy. It had an interesting 'swirl' in the brush though which I thought was unique. I was right. it went on horrible. My lashes were all stuck together and there was no hope for them. I still use it today but I have to separate my lashes like crazy after. The dark black is really pretty though.

I would not buy this ever again.


Next is Maybelline's 'Classic Volum Express' Mascara $ 7.77

To me, Maybelline is a no brainer. They always have something good. The biggest problem I have with their mascara is that it will work great and then all of a sudden just stop ( or maybe its just me). I would have to say that this mascara has been one I have used the longest out of the ones I have now. The brush is a simple brush. It can get clumpy at times but nothing you cant fix. I do use this with one other mascara every time thought. if your wondering why, I learned a makeup tip a while back that told me to NEVER wear just one!! gotta double up to get what you want!

Not the best but also have never had a problem with it. I would buy it again.


Then we have the Pixi 'Lash Booster' Mascara $17.00

I got this mascara in one of my Ipsy Glam Bags. Before I even got it I read horrible reviews and as I feared, they were right. This mascara is horrible. First of all the brush was annoying to get out of the tube. When I first looked at it it was such a pretty black, I like my mascaras dark! It went on fine. Nothing great but nothing worth hating. it wasn't until I tried getting it off that I saw the problem. This mascara is worse then trying to take off waterproof mascara. For example, I had this on as well as the Bare minerals mascara last night ( told you I still use them all). Before my shower last night, I took a makeup remover face towel to it, which by the way always gets everything off they are amazing. I then took a  shower and noticed clumps were coming off when I touched it. I got out and looked in the mirror and looked like death. It took another makeup remover to finally get it off and even then Im not sure it all came off. No one wants to scrub away at their eyes! We are trying to grow our lashes not rip them out!

No one should ever buy this EVER.

Next is Ulta's 'Amped Lashes' Mascara $10.00 but often on sale

I received this mascara in one of their 'buy this much and get this bag free' bag. Even though this one didn't get very many good reviews, I didn't mind it. It never clumped for me, in fact, I even use it as a second mascara to help separate my  lashes! I had no problem with this and taking it off was easy.

I wouldn't say its the best but on sale, I would buy it again for a second mascara.

Then we have Benefit's 'They're Real!' Mascara $23.00

I tried this for the first time when I received it in my free Birthday Gift from Sephora ( if you haven't signed up for that you need to its fabulous). I had heard amazing things about this mascara, in fact its a top seller! I was impressed. The brush was nice, the color great, didn't clump, and was easy to take off. I had hoped it would make my lashes look longer then it did but it was still awesome.

This is right up there with Arbonne's mascara. I will buy this again.


Last I have Elizabeth Mott's 'It's So Big' Mascara $19.99

I also got this from my last Ipsy Glam Bag. Well it smells horrible. I hate when you open a mascara and the smell hits you in the face. No way I want that up by my nose! This is another I wasn't to happy about. Better then the last one from ipsy but still not a fan. It does clump, not as bad as others, but it does. The color is nice and it does lengthen the lashes some but not worth it. I wouldn't say this is horrible to get off but its not easy!

I wouldn't buy this one again.


Well those are the Mascaras I have in my makeup box now. I am still trying to find the perfect one so if you found one you love, let me know!! I am willing to give it a try!

I would say that my favorite is to mix the Arbonne's Its A Long Story with Benefits They're Real. It makes a great combo so try it!!

Look out for a post about some of my favorite face washes and moisturizers!!

 

 

So No One Else Will Suffer...

I am part of a few Endometriosis boards on facebook, one in particular.  This is where women come to share their stories and what they have or are going through. They are there for support, friendship, and a 'shoulder to cry on'. A person who does not have endometriosis can not understand completely what one who does goes through. Like any chronic illness, you have to experience it to fully understand. These women come from all over the world and support each other. Its amazing. It is one place no one judges you and they all understand.

As you know I have Endometriosis. Although to me, it is painful and horrible, it is not YET to the level of some of these women have. There is no cure, so it just gets worse. There is maybe a few handful of people who have had complete relief from a procedure but not many. Although I love hearing these women's stories, and support them when I can, and come to them when I have questions or concerns or just want to talk, it scares me. Some of these women have had Endometriosis overcome them entirely because of how bad it is. Some have had to quit their jobs and most can not have children. I may not get as bad as some of these women in 5 or 10 years but I will get worse, and it could be the same as theirs. This pain is already horrible and not fun to live with but to imagine it getting worse scares me.

One woman posted this story So No One Else Will Suffer on the faebook page that broke each and everyone of our hearts. Some came forward to say that they understand this young woman's thoughts and feelings. I think it made us all stop and really think. I wont go on much about the story here, its something you just have to read for your selves. Some of you may just roll your eyes and think "Why did she do that, its so stupid, it cant be that bad". Well it is, and to many women it is THAT BAD. After reading this, I contacted the writer of the article in hopes that I can find out ways to create or assist on fundraisers that will help fun Endometriosis research so a cure can be found.

If you are like me, and want to help too, please contact me or this woman. I will be researching different fundraisers that will be right for me to become a part of. One day there will be a cure, but one day might be too late for far too many women.

I am just thankful God Blessed me with a son so I never have to watch a daughter go through what I am going through or worse.

Thanful Monday

Thankful Monday

 

 

 

For Civilian doctors Offices that get you to a nurses line asap AND an appt same day if needed

 

 

 

For new cars! Yay!!

 

 

 

For a hard working husband, without hi I would have none of this!

 

 

 

For family

 

 

 

 

For our home that I love so much!

Ipsy Galm Bag: September

Its here!!! Let me start out by saying that Ohio is even more awesome because I get my Ipsy Galm Bag sooner then I did when we were in Idaho!! wooo! I just received the Tracking email yesterday and it was in my mailbox today. Huge surprise...but an awesome one! I feel like I got extra goodies in this months bag because of the Life Palette!

So here we are!

First was the Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted lip Balm in Big Apple. Its name says it all. This is a very bright color. More pink then red. I also feel like its more of a stain. It goes on dry. I need to add a clear gloss to help spruce it up a little. Its also a little bright for me! I was excited to try this thought since I loved their Gel Eyeliner that looks just like this!

 Price: $19.00


Next was the Elizabeth Mott Its So Big volumizing mascara in Black I believe. This was just a 4ml sample but I always love samples of mascara because I still haven't found one I love. This one went on nice. It has a thinner brush which I prefer the thicker ones but still seems to be good.

Price: $19.99 for a 10mL


Then we have the NYX Single eye Shadow in Deep Charcoal I am glad I got the darker color rather then the one in the sneak peek. It actually is a really pretty color, and NYX does a pretty good job when it comes to their eye shadows.

Price: $4.50



Next we have the StarLooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian. I have been getting StarLooks subscription boxes so I am always excited to try more of their stuff. We have gotten their lip liner in our Glam Bag a few months back. This eye liner goes on really smooth! The color is great. Not sure if it can last through the entire day yet.

 Price: $12.00


Last we have the Freeman Beauty Facial paper in 2 different types. Brightening, Purifying, and hydrating. I have not tried them yet because I barely have time to wash my makeup off this past month let alone use a facial mask! BUT I am really excited to try this one. It seems so easy!

 

Price: $5.77 per pouch



We also got a little bonus in our bags this month (Im assuming we all did). It was a sample of EM makeups The Life Palette career life. It is a sample of 4 of their cheek, eyes, and lip colors that come in the complete Palette. This Palette actually looks pretty awesome to me. Its a ton of different colors and when you are finished with one section, you can just pop it out and fill it with a different one.

 

 

Price: $75.00 for the full Palette

 

 

I think this bag was defiantly better then the past two months. It seems like Ipsy is really getting their act together. Especially when it comes to listening to their customers. I just took the review questions and they have changed since the last few times to really get better ideas on what I want. Way to go Ipsy!!

Thankful Monday

Thankful Monday

 

 

 

That things are getting back on schedule in this house

 

 

 

That I found a good hairstylist already! Every girl knows that is hard to find!

 

 

 

That MJ has SLOWLY gotten better since the move

 

 

 

That we are done painting! Well besides the spare room and half bath but that's nothing

 

 

 

That there is so much to do and see around here!!

 

 

 

 

yay a Thankful Monday on time!! Go me!! hahah jk well Things are finally calming down around here. The house is put together, M is back at work, MJ has started school, and I am back on my cleaning schedule woo woo lol This place is finally starting to feel like home. Its amazing. I love this house and this place!

Ipsy Glam Bag: September Sneak Peek

Can you believe its already September!!! Fall is coming and along with that Fall makeup!! I am really excited for this month!!!





SNEAK PEEK #1:

A blend or quick brush of color is an easy timeless upgrade to any look!

This is obviously an eye shadow. Looks like it is going to be the NYX single eye shadow. Not too sure about the color but could be pretty with a  mix of a few colors!

 

 

SNEAK PEEK #2

 

This must-have product has been a classic staple for every bombshell since its invention!

 

 

Another Mascara!! I love trying different mascara so Im pretty excited. This one is rumored to be the Its So Big Volumizing Mascara by Elizabeth Mott. I have never tried this one so I cant wait!

 

 

SNEAK PEEK #3

 

 There's no limit of classic looks you can create with three of these gorgeous staples in your September Glam

 

There are tons of products here!!

 

From what I can tell, and from what others are saying here is what it all could be

John Frieda shampoo  

Cailyn Cosmetics tinted lip balm

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil

Pop Beauty Lip Crayon

Jesse's Girl Liquid Liner

Freeman Facial Paper 

JCat Beauty Pencil Liner

JCat Beauty Lipstick

 

 

SNEAK PEEK #4



No matter the time or the season, this month's Glam Bag will be a classic print you're going to fall in love with!

Number 4 was of the bag of course. If you have been on ipsy lately you can see that they already posted the full picture of the blue bag. I love that their bags are so different each month!!


Well here are all of Septembers Sneak Peeks ladies!! I cant wait until we all get our bag to see what is in there!!



The Best Age

Let me start our by saying I have loved every single second of my life since having MJ. We are both beyond blessed to have him in our lives. BUT lets admit, every single parent has that favorite age. The one that was the most fun to them, that they wish they could stay forever. For me ( and I think I can speak for M too) its now. MJ is going to be 19 months this month and its amazing. Yes he has his toddler moments, especially now with this move ( that is a whole other post), but he is so much fun. I cant understand most of what he says but its so cute the way he looks at you speaking whole sentences of gibberish and looking at you with the most serious look on his face. Two weeks ago he spoke tons of single words I could understand and some full sentences that I could not. then one day it all changed, its nothing but ramblings of words I cant understand but you cant help but smile.

How can you not love walking into a room seeing him sitting on the floor with a  huge book in his lap. He is rambling on and on and his finger is following along the page as if he is really reading it out loud. But there wasn't one word I understood.

He is so cute when he is running across the backyard with M kicking the soccer ball along with him. ( By the way, keep an eye out during the world cup In 18 years you will probably see him, this kid is amazing).

I love how he stops whatever he is doing when he hears an airplane or train or truck. He tilts his head tot he side and says "a traina?" He can even be in the middle of a tantrum and that alone will make him stop, if only for a second.

I love when he gets excited about stuff he loves. How he calls everything a snack. "MJ you want breakfast?" "Yay nnnnack!" I love when he tells me he wants to go on a walk, or potty when he wants to go outside only because we are always telling the dogs to go potty as we let them out.

He is very independent and can play by himself but loves playing with us. Trucks is his favorite.

He loves Monsters inc and Nemo. He is constantly saying Sully or Dory.

But with all this cute funny stuff that he does at this age, he still needs us. He still wants us to hold him and love on him. To hold both of our hands when we are walking somewhere. To give us kisses and hugs. He gets a huge smile when we arrive at school to pick him up and put his hand to his face and says "oh daddy" or "oh nana" or "oh papa" or " oh mama" in the softest saddest voice you have ever heard when we leave the room. You just have to laugh at how cute it is.

This is the age I never want to get over. I wish time would stop right now and stay like this forever. I cant stand thinking about him growing up and not needing us anymore. He is my baby boy. I live for this child. Moments like these really make you stop and think about how blessed you are and to remind you to slow down and cherish it. Don't wish for the next day to get here no matter how excited you are for the girls night out coming up. Those days are days lost. Savor every single moment because tomorrow he will be graduating high school. You are going to miss that little boy pulling on your leg as you try and get the house clean.

 

Today I will be thankful for

all the little socks and grass stained  jeans

and the endless piles of laundry .

For there will come a day when

the laundry basket is empty

and these days will be profoundly missed.

 

 

August Starbox Review

This past month I decided to try a new makeup subscription box along with my Ipsy Glam Bag!

I read some great reviews on a subscription box from Starlooks called Starbox. The Starbox is $15 a month plus S&H. I believe mine came out to like $17.99.

This months box was the Natalie Corona Signature Starbox. Those of you who don't know who she is, she is an awesome girl that does youtube reviews and tutorials. Look her up!!

Here is what came in the August Starbox

                                                                     
    First was the GlitterGlam  In Emerald. I am not a huge fan of sparkles if you had read my reviews before but this was fun to try. Its a very light glitter unlike some that have huge chunks. The emerald would not have been a color I picked on my own but it is really pretty! I would probably say that I would not buy this product again but it was fun to try!



Next was the Infinity Lipstick In Endless Satin. I actually thought this color was so pretty.  It is the small picture. It is dark but perfect if
you wear the right things with it. I have never tried their lipsticks but loved them both.

The last product was another of their Infinity lipstick collections but in Eons Matte. This color was brighter then the Endless satin and pretty pink. From the tube it isn't something I would have picked but it looks really good on!

Their Box also comes with a little something extra and this box was a gym of some sort. Nothing I needed to keep but its a cute Idea! I will be getting one more Starbox this month and then will probably be cancelling it. I  love Ipsy much much more but it was fun to see what this one had to offer!


 

Things To Do When Selling Your House

Well as you know M and I just bought a house for the first time. Not only did we buy one but we bought it from a different state, without even seeing it in person. So the whole process was totally stressful. Our realtor as well as MJs teacher told me that a few of the most stressful things in a persons life are Death, Divorce, And Buying a house.

On Top of just the stress of buying a house, we had to deal with a seller who was her own realtor. This woman was fake nice. She is the neighbor that is really friendly so she can get the dirt on everyone. Seriously she told me about each and every person that lives around their house and their whole life story. Our neighbor to one side of us is 26 prior army. He was married to a blonde Megan but now a brunette Megan lives there and it is not the same woman. See what I mean?? She is a snoop!

She would email me great helpful things and then turn around to our realtor and complain about offers and time and military clauses. Never to me though. She was always so nice to me. She 'left' us great things. Such as drapes that she just didnt need in her house with her boyfriend anymore. Or $1000 worth of propane in the tank. We later found out she only left that because it would cost her even more for AmeriGas to haul it away.

She told my me she was tending to her garden the last few weeks to clean it up before we got here. Really she just removed the plants she wanted to take with her. Fake nice right?

Next, she had to have the roof replace because it was totally on its last limb. We ashed her if she could tell us the company name so we can call and talk to them about the roof and if we wanted to add more money on top of hers to make it a little bit better one. Her response to our realtor: I am paying $10,000 on a new rood so I assure you it is a good one. Plus I am the one who has to live with it if the sell ends up falling through so she picks it. She does I get that, but really lady? We were going to pay to make it even better!!

In the offer, we told he she needed to fix the crack in the bedroom ceiling that was caused by the old roof and repaint it. It was a very small crack no bigger then my hand. She fixed it but weeks before closing emailed our relator and asked if it was ok that she didnt paint it because she has bad wrist and she has been meaning to get it checked but has been so busy selling her house. It really wasnt that big of a deal to us but come on lady dont sign the offer if you dont wanna do something.

Last, we walk into a house that is completely filthy. Looks like she never cleaned a baseboard in her life. Dust and dirt everywhere. The shower in the master bath was black! As well as dead bees all over. Her paint job in the few rooms she painted were horrible and lazy. She would just paint over light switches and doors and it was so messed up. She had nail holes all over every wall like she took a nail gun to it for shooting practice. If there werent nail holes there were still Nails!! I had to take out about 15-20 nails in one small wall in the play room. We didnt want to paint the office and play room right away but had to because it looked so bad.

Now dont get me wrong, this house is so amazing. It is perfect for us and so beautiful. But the fact we had to walk into a dirty house was frustrating.

So I sat here and thought about when we turn around and sell this house in 5 years. What I would do differently as a seller to make the buyers experience better then ours was. Here is the list I came up with. Please please if your selling your home consider doing these as well!!!

*CLEAN!! Please please clean your house. If you dont have time, are too old, or too lazy to clean, hire a cleaning lady. For $300 you can have a moving out cleaning and your house will look amazing.

*Dont leave me 50 different keys to the house. This lady really had 50 different keys. Only having 4 doors and a shed it was a little crazy. We still dont know what 5 of the go to

*Remove your nails and fill the holes. It really takes no time at all to do so and you wont believe what a difference it makes.

*Hire a realtor unless you are a full time realtor or flip houses for  a living. Just because you have a realtor license but never have used it does not mean your good at it.

* When you agree to an offer stick to it. Dont bail out of something last minute while pulling the Im old sympathy card. She is lucky I am nice or that lady would have been on a ladder painting her little heart away.

*If your leaving propane or drapes or whatever, dont tell me your doing it as a housewarming gift when really you are too lazy to remove them or it will cost you money. Also I dont need your used plungers and left over cleaning supplies. ( this woman seriously has 5/6 plungers for a 3 bath house!)
She was also kind enough to leave me a half read menopause book. Who does this lady think I am!?

* Make sure things work before you tell the buyer they do. We have already had to use our warranty on the upstairs AC and my father in law has had to rewire the kitchen and laundry room because who ever she had do it when she expanded the kitchen SUCKED. I assure you that is not something we wanted to deal with the first few days of being in our new home. We were just lucky my father in law knows so much about so much or else that would have been a ton of money.

* Stop feeding the stray cats about a month prior to moving. I assure you as a buyer who is not a fan of cats and has 3 dogs I do not want 5 cats hanging around my house even if the new kittens are adorable. Those kittens turn into big cats and big cats mate and have more kittens and before I know it my yard will be filled with dirty cats.

* Be for real nice. Not Fake. And if your not nice or choose not to be. Dont talk to the buyer at all and dont act like it. I much rather her have been a B word from the start then secretly behind our back.

I know there is tons of stress that comes with buying/selling a house. But you are the one who can make it better/worse for everyone. SO please remember these things when selling your home next. I know we will. I can already say that we have added value to this house in the 2 weeks we have been here. With the new patio, bball court, fence, and new landscaping we are adding this first year, its going to be awesome for whoever buys it when we move!!

Thankful Monday- Late, again

Thankful Monday

 That MJ did good when I took him to his first day of Toddler school this morning

That I am done painting the house besides one bathroom and spare room

That we are having a surveryer come in today to start the process of putting in a fence

For my home. I am in love with it and this area

That M made it to Michigan safely to check in to his flight

I suck lately. I have been a total mess and suck at blogging. Now that M is back at work and MJ has started school I feel like I will start getting back into routine and settled. This past week has been crammed full of stuff that we were trying to get done before M went back to work and, for the most

part, we accomplished all of it!  Yay go us!!

Painting: Overrated

I thought I would take a short break from this crazy thing of moving into a new house. I am exhausted. From the moment we wake up until dinner time we are doing something that has to do with this house. Right now I am looking at M put together our new desk which he started yesterday. This thing is crazy huge and hard apparently. My hands are getting calluses from the paint roller. MJ is over it too. Poor kid. We are constantly telling him he cant go here or he cant go there, dont touch that. I am so ready for this to be over not just for our sake, but for his too!! So everything can get back to normal with him.

Our home is coming together and it looks amazing. I am so excited. BUT we for sure worked hard for it. I feel like most people probably do everything we have done this past week and a half over a long amount of time. But I felt that we needed to do it now because who knows how long we have in this house. I want to be able to enjoy every bit of this hard work  for as long as possible. In just a few days we will be done with the inside of the house and can relax and enjoy it. Well besides the spare bedroom and half bath and that I dont know what I want to do with yet but they are small so it will be east to do while MJ is at school.

Then its the outside!!! We are getting a fence put in in the next few weeks so we dont have to watch MJ and the 3 dogs every second. We are ripping out all of the plants/bushes from the front and back of the house so that we/or Ms friend from HS who owns a landscaping business. can put in flowers and such next spring. I hate bushes so they need to go! And we are putting in a back patio next spring as well and possibly when we do that, a small basketball hoop and court for M in the back of the yard. But the outside will be done over time. And by over time I mean by the end of next summer. So Maybe that is still a lot in such a short time??

I have had ideas of what I want our first home that we OWN to look like and its so exciting that its here and real and happening! Everything is coming together wonderfully. Those of you who are my FB friends have seen pics so far and those of you who are not will see a few pictures here in a week or so. I cant wait to be done!