Guilty Pleasures: Shopping

So, I did it again...

Wet Seal was having their usual online clearance sale: "buy one get one for a penny" and this time I just couldn't resist.

Lately, every morning when I'm getting dressed, I just stand there in my so-called walk-in closet and stare at my clothes, that are crammed together on a 4 foot rod.  I love all my clothes, but when I go to put something on, I think "well, I've worn that a lot" or "eh, I don't feel like wearing that color today."  (Yah, I'm picky.)

So, last Saturday, I was online and got an email from Wet Seal about their deal and, of course, I had to go look.

One click after another, I had about 10 things in my shopping cart.  Uh oh...

I started to think, and give myself reasons why I needed these items: "you've been working hard lately, you deserve a little something," "buy one, get one for a PENNY," and "these are just too cute to pass up!"

Chi-Ching! My bank account was just debited $70, but I saved $45, and shipping was only $5. (I received the items on Tuesday afternoon!)

And here's what my money went toward...

$13.99 

$13.99

$12.99

$4.99 $0.01

$11.99 $0.01

$7.99 $0.01

$15.99

$10.99 $0.01

$13.99

 Now I just need hangers to put all of them on...

60 Day Challenge: Day 9

Day 9 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

My Mom
She's been with me through thick and thin.
I love her!

After looking through all my pictures on my laptop and on Facebook, I noticed there are no pictures of my mom.  So this is about the most recent one I found (which is still like over a year old).  She's lost a lot of weight since then, so she should be showing it off with more pictures...I'll have to sneak some!

Things Thursday: Things That Didn't Happen Yesterday, Like I Said They Would

I didn't get to paint my nails.

I didn't work on my paper for school,

that's due tonight.

Big Hearted Sister didn't come over,
so I didn't get to watch the finale of 16 & Pregnant.

I didn't really get to go through my new clothes
because I didn't have anymore hangers.

I didn't have Amazing Boyfriend there to take care of me (and my hurt foot)
because he worked until almost 1am last night.

And I don't have just one follower anymore,
I have TWO!
Woo!  Keep 'em coming :)

(following "Things Thursday" by StressCase)

Brother From Another Mother

Smelly-Boy Brother is the funniest, craziest kid around.  You will never be bored with him.  He's awesome.

wasn't he just adorable!?

We adopted my brother when he was just 7 months old.  His real mom was on drugs while pregnant with him and that's why she didn't want him.  She then got pregnant with another little boy and said she's going to do "right" by this one.  Sad, huh?

Well, I guess, all in all, it was a good thing, because I got a little brother.  He was so tiny when I first got to meet him.  I remember it was snowing when we drove to where he was staying.  We took him to Sizzlers to have a family dinner with him before things were finalized and we got to bring him home.

like father, like son

When the day finally came to bring him home, we were all so excited.  We set up a crib in my room and got everything ready.  I thought it would be no big deal sharing a room with a baby, but boy, was I wrong.  Since his 'mother' was on speed while pregnant with him, every night he would have withdrawals from the drug and scream bloody murder every night.  So I usually ended up sleeping on the couch.

all dressed up!

A few years later, we moved into a bigger house and we both got our own rooms.  He still wasn't talking, but wasn't crying every single night like before.  He eventually learned to walk and around 4 or 5, I believe, starting saying a few words.  Which was so much better than his "mah" he would say all the time!  Haha.  And, surprisingly, he couldn't even say my name, and he's been hearing it ever since he was born...his biological sister's name was Sarah, his foster sister's name was Sarah, and now his adopted sister's name was Sarah.  And nothing...I don't think he could say my name until he was 6 or 7.  Little booger.

the tool man

He was later diagnosed with autism, tourettes syndrome, and bi-polar.  He was put in special needs classes and was considered a few years behind 'normal' kids at his age.  At least that's better than what the doctor said: "he may never talk or walk, ever."  Man, was he wrong!  He's more hyperactive than regular special needs children and needs a lot of attention...a lot and a lot of constant attention.

Ever since he was little, he was always into sports and building things.  Bob the Builder was his favorite show.  "Can we fix it? Yes we can!"  That was stuck in my head almost every day!  And like father, like son, he played (and still plays) almost every single sport: soccer, basketball, football, hockey, bowling, and baseball.  Hard-Working Dad helps coach almost all of the teams he's on.  All the teams, except for hockey, were for special needs kids, so he got to interact with other kids like him.  He's even got the privilege of traveling, by going to Florida to play football.

basketball

baseball

bowling

football

soccer

hockey

Even though little brothers can be annoying, he was great to play with.  I remember my sisters and I would always dress him up and play "house" with him.  He loved dressing up for Halloween too.  He was mostly always a super hero or a 'modern day super hero.'

paging doctor Smelly-Boy!

Super Brother!

He has a personality that everyone loves.  Anywhere we go, someone knows him...either the grocery store, a restaurant, or the mall.  Even in baseball, when they had buddies help out, they always wanted to work with my brother.

He's now in high school and so big!  He always can make me laugh, but knows just how to get on my nerves.  I love him so much!!

Quote of the Week

a friend posted this on Facebook
and just had to share it

60 Day Challenge: Day 8

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh

My Papa
(he tries to act all tough, but he's really a big softy)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

For starters, I'm loving Amazing Boyfriend.

I sliced open my foot last night,

and he took such good care of me :)

I'm loving getting to lay on the couch

and put my foot up...

while at work.

I'm loving that I just had cheese and crackers

for breakfast,

because the family I work for never has anything to eat.

I'm loving that tonight, Big Hearted Sister

is coming over to my cute little apartment

so we can watch the special reunion of 16 & Pregnant.

I'm loving that I still only have one follower

on my blog...

I'm loving that I'm watching Victorious right now.

I'm loving that I bought more of my

Wild Vines Strawberry Zinfandel

last night, so I can have it when I get home tonight.

I'm loving that I get Friday off of work this week.

I'm loving that I have to write yet another

psychology paper before Thursday night.

I'm loving that I can finally paint my nails tonight.

And I'm loving that when I get home tonight,

I get to go through the new clothes I got in the mail yesterday

from WetSeal :)

(I know...more shopping guilt)

Topic Tuesday: Kids

Today's Topic: KIDS

I make this today's topic because I'm a nanny and today I just need to vent about the kids I watch.  I don't know if it's because I'm just tired from lack of sleep or because I've been with them 10 hours a day for the last week and a half, or because it's almost that time of the month, but I am just so irritated with them the last two days.  I love these girls to death, but I think the biggest problem I have with them is that they are too spoiled.  Their parents let them do whatever they want, eat whatever they want, and buy them whatever they want...and they (the kids) know it.

Now, they're not the typical spoiled brat girls that you see in movies, where they talk back and only care about themselves, thank God.  However, since they do get whatever they want, when they don't, they whine and Miss 5-Going-On-30 throws a tantrum.  And in the end, they get what they wanted in the first place, so no lesson is taught, and they don't learn anything.  Uh, yeah, Miss Sarah does not tolerate that.

When I first started working for them, they were pretty bad in that aspect, but after a few months of teaching them that that is not how you're supposed to act and they need to be grateful for what they have already (which is way more than I ever had when I was their age), they slowly but surely got better....however, only when I was watching them.  As soon as one of their parents walked through the door at 6pm though, they went right back to their old ways.  Ugh.  But the thing that made me laugh a little inside, was that the mom would admit to me that she knows they act better with me and then go crazy when she has them, and she doesn't understand why.  Hah!  Well lets see, I actually discipline your children and don't give them whatever they ask for, that may be why.

It's been almost a year now since I've been with these girls and they act a lot better and from what I've heard from Miss Lazy-Know-It-All, her sister doesn't throw tantrums anymore when she doesn't get her way (when I'm not there).  The greatest thing is that Miss 5-Going-On-30 knows now that it's not good to throw tantrums, so she'll get all excited when she tells me she went to a store and didn't get mad when she didn't get something she wanted.  So I give her a high-5 and tell her what a good job she's doing.

The only thing that we're still working on (well me mostly), is my 'say-so' getting overruled.  The girls will ask me for something or to do something, and if I say no, Miss Lazy-Know-It-All will then (sometimes) text her mom or dad for the same exact thing, and of course they say yes.  That has only happened a few times, but depending on what it is, I will either stick to what I said, or let the parent's decision overrule.  They will also do the same thing when the parents come home, usually when it involves sweets.  They will have already had a dessert with me, and then when the mom comes home, they will ask for another, and I will say that they've already had one.  And of course, mom will say yes...(still working on that with the parents and enforcing my rules).

The last two days, they've gone back to their old ways a little bit, and I think that's another reason why I'm so stressed out.  I've been trying to keep a good attitude and stick to my rules, but I'm just so tired that I've caught myself slipping, and letting them get away with things I don't normally let them do.

I need to stay strong (and breathe...) because I'm with them for 10 hours a day for the next few weeks until I finally get a week vacation, which will be very much needed!

60 Day Challenge: Day 7

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item

Sadly enough, since we live in the age of technology, my phone and laptop are what I treasure most (item-wise).  I don't go anywhere without them, especially my phone.  I feel 'naked' if I don't have it.

Music Monday

Welcome to

What kind of music is starting off your week?

Post pictures, share a list of songs, or post a music video.

***
I know it's been a top favorite for a few weeks,
but this song by Adele, I just can't get enough of...

Share what you've been listening to:

60 Day Challenge: Day 5 & 6

Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory

Halloween last year at the roller rink

Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

she is my absolute favorite all-time actress

Boob Toob Babble: Wilfred

I just have to start off by saying that I was very disappointed.

I was expecting this show to be the crazy mind set of a man who repeatedly tries to commit suicide.  I thought it was going to keep you laughing and guessing on what was going to happen next, with this man who sees a man dressed in a dog costume instead of an actual dog.  I was hoping to be entertained by the great Elijah Wood, but I guess not...

The show was very vulgar and dry, and not really that entertaining.  Thank goodness it's only a 30-minute show, because after the first commercial I was ready for it to be over.  The character of the dog has a British accent and acts like a 17 year old high school boy trapped in a 40 year old man who lives in his mother's garage's body.  During this 30-minute show, this "dog" had the time to smoke out of a homemade bong, hump a waitress, smoke a bunch of cigarettes, break into the neighbors house, take a dump in a pair of shoes (then get Elijah Wood's character to do the same), and to top it all off, sniff out a closet full of home-grown marijuana!

I really have no interest anymore to continue watching this show, however, since it was the very first episode of this TV series, I will record and watch the next few episodes and hopefully it will turn into the show that I thought it was going to be...

60 Day Challenge: Day 4

Day 4 - A picture of your night

cuddled up with amazing boyfriend
with wine, cheez-its, and 'surfs up'

:)

Guilty Pleasures: Shopping

After I did my usual Saturday morning cleaning, I needed to run by Target to get a few things.  I only went there to buy 8-10 household items, but found myself gravitating towards the clothing department.  I told myself I would just look and not buy anything...but you know how that goes.

Well, as I'm just looking, I come across some cute cardigan sweaters...exactly what I've been looking for.  And they were on sale!  Oh no, there were so many choices.  I decided on three, which was three more than I should've gotten.  Ok, that was it, off to the check stands!  But wait, cute graphic tees on sale... Ahh, I was so bad and got two!  I then ran to the first check stand I could see before I could buy anything else.

I spent way more than I should have, but look, it was so worth it!

Cute huh? :)