I Have Been A Very Lazy Blogger!

The busies of life, kids, jobs and all the nonsense that comes along has kept me from writing lately. That includes my housewives blog! shame on me. I know I need to stop making up excuses... but I just can't help myself. I know that's no excuse.. but imagine having your boss call you at the last minute to see if you could work!! This is what I have to put up with. I also had baby shower, birthdays, and anniversary all in a period of 2 weeks. My husband and I celebrated our 7th anniversary a week ago. We went to this wonderful place called 15 Fox Place in NJ, and spent more than I care to admit. But overall we had a wonderful time, accompanied by our family. And to me, family time is priceless.

Now I haven't been all that bad you know! Aside from all the running around, I have been taking the kids to Sunday school for religion. Why is that a shocker?? I don't practice religion to much. But lately I have been seeking a sense of direction, faith and hope. The way our country has been heading has been nerve wrecking to me. I consider all possible scenarios and what would be the best way to handle them, and it simply is too much for me to even consider. The kids do love that I have made this commitment to take them every Sunday, and children should have a sense of religious guidance. I have come to look forward to it, although I am a walking zombie. I end up going to bed at 3:30 in the morning on Saturday nights and getting up at 7:45 on Sunday morning. Boy do I miss my sleep!! But I can't complain about the fact that while the kids are in their corresponding classes, I get to gather with other parents and there is that sense of "yes!! adults". Now don't laugh at me, I have been missing some adult interactions and conversations. I can finally replace all the googoo gagas, and mom, and whys, and I wants with what did you do this week, what events are happening, and Christian parenting advice. 

I have also started early holiday shopping for the first time ever! I can't even contain myself because this will take a whole load off my shoulders as the holidays are nearing. What have I been taking advantage of lately? Some great places such as Rue La La (psss.. for myself), Zulily (great place for mothers to be and kids' toys, clothes and more), and of course My Points. I have another gift card on the way, this time I decided to go with Kohls. I can't wait!! Add another $50 to this years points earnings. 

My next post I will discuss a book that I picked up at Barnes & Noble called "The Roots of Obama's Rage" by Dinesh D'Souza. This author goes into the upbringings of President Obama and what shaped him into the politician that he is today. Super interesting read and I have truly began to see why things are the way they are today. 

'Til next time... 

Lina

xoxo

Columbus Day Deals Galore

It is Columbus Day and boy do I love a good sale! It is days like this that I take advantage to get some of my shopping done. This year my plan is to start some early Christmas shopping. With all the stress last year, Christmas snuck up on me and I was not prepare at all. This year I want to make sure that is not the case. I find that in order to get the best deal possible, I like to do comparison shopping. I compare the sales between stores and go for the sale that benefits me the most. This is also a perfect time to start the process of ordering my Christmas cards. I know that it sounds crazy that I am already talking about Christmas, but this year just crept up on me without me even knowing it. So here are a few deals going on for the Columbus Day Holiday so you can get yourself started on your Christmas purchases too!!

Cardstore.com get 15% off your purchase with coupon code MERRY15


e.l.f. Cosmetics is selling their mineral lip gloss in pageant pink for only $3 and 100% of it supports Breast Cancer Research! What a great way to look fabulous and support such a wonderful cause. If you have a girly girl like I do, this is a great buy as a stocking stuffer! Also if you order today you can get FREE shipping on any orders of $15 or more. Use the code SHIP during checkout.


Get a 25% discount at ShopTheLook.net on all necklaces or 50% off all orders up to $20. They will also donate a 20% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Research when you purchase their flirt scarf.






And if you would like to get the look without breaking the bank, then stop by Rent the Runway! It is a great place to get your look at 90% off retail price!!


Whoever said Halloween is only for the kids? It is also for the kids at heart ;). At FlirtCatalog.com you can get all of your Halloween needs (especially if you are looking for a sexy look) and receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more.



On a last note, just because you are looking good on the outside doesn't mean you should forget about your health. Take care of your health as well with pomegranates. Pomegranates are one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat, it is full of antioxidants, vitamin C and it is a good source of vitamin B5. Fromthefarm.com is a great place to get your fresh from the farm fruits and vegetables. If you are not as a fortunate as I am to have your own little garden, then head onto Fromthefarm.com to order straight from the farm. Get 10% off your order and 20% off pear gift boxes.

Work-At-Home Mommy

Working from home has its advantages as well as disadvantages. One of the things that I love the most about working from home is being able to wear whatever I want. Pijamas, no matter. I also love not having to drive to an office, spending money on gas, tolls, lunches and what not. Instead I just walk right into my office and voila I am at work. The most challenging part that I have found while working for Language Line has been the schedule. I elected to go for the graveyard schedule over the weekends and so my weekends are shut. Saturdays I am up at 6:45am leave to go to work at the post office until 12:15pm and then home to rest for a few, make dinner and be ready to work at 7pm. Due to the fact that I am working typically until 3:30am, I find it really hard to function the next day. Although my body seems to be getting used to the very strange schedule I am on right now, my mind doesn't like it one bit.

Another thing I have found challenging is maintaining a good voice after it's past a certain hour. That is something that I will have to work on as I go along. Since my performance largely depends on how I project my voice, it is imperative that I find solutions to keep it from getting hoarse. Some recommendations are a warm cup of tea. Having something warm pass through your cords can be soothing and healing. However, tea can also induce tiredness and the need to sleep! Perhaps my next best choice is honey, some halls, and drinking plenty of water.

The kids also need some adjustment to the new dynamics of our family. Occassionally they walk into my office while I am working or they might be too loud in the kitchen. They assume that when I say "mommy has to work now" that I am actually leaving and going into the office. They are used to the idea that I work at the post office, but now I am also working at home. And although I say I am working they find it hard to believe because, well, mommy is still home. The baby especially has been hard to break. She loves to sleep with me (I know she is 4 now and should be sleeping on her own, what do you want from me?) and misses the warmth of mommy. Sometimes she wakes up at 3am and I have to quickly go comfort her and run right back to my phone.

By the end of the weekend and into Monday I am typically worn and groggy. And as much as I would love to hit the bed, instead I get up at 7:30am get the kids ready for school and head out the door with them. With Gia now in school sure I could go home and take a 2 hour nap, but I am afraid I might over sleep. Once I pick her up from school at noon, I go home hang out with her or run errands until it's time to pick up the boys. In between I attend to any appointments I might have scheduled for the day (heck why not just get them done while I am at it). By the time 5 o'clock comes around I am literally dead, but my day is yet to be over. I still have dinner to make, baths to give (most of the time I make the little ones skip Mondays bath), bed time snacks, and well the dishes they just have to wait. Finally at 9pm I might watch some television and by 10 hit the bed. The rest of the week, of course if I am not required for duty at the post office, I make up for the sleep I lost. Only to start the whole cycle all over again over the weekend. In between all of this I also still have to find time for my chores, and some intimate time with hubby.

As much as I would like to complain, I reap the benefits two weeks later when my paycheck hits my account.

Happy Birthday to this ol'bag

Turned 29 today... my kids "surprised me" with some balloons, plants, and cards =). But if anyone asks I just turned 19! Heck no, I am not going to start feeling old now. I am just getting started. This week I am planning on filing for a promotion (yeah it hasn't been a year in the post office but I can do it!). I have always considered myself a smart woman with the capability to learn very quickly. And as I am getting older I am not about to let that change.... watch out USPS here I come.

Goal setting for me seems to be a major task, and so this is why I am determined to have this application completed and submitted by December. But not just that, I am setting reachable goals that I hope to accomplish within short periods of time. I cannot look 5 years from now, but I can look at a year from now  at what I expect to have done and where I expect to be. The good thing about short term goals is that it doesn't feel like a whole truck-load of tasks for me to accomplish.

Do you find yourself setting goals when another year turns? Have you been able to accomplish everything that you've set out to do?

'Til next time

Lina
xoxo

Celebrating One More Year Closer to 30!!

Darn... my birthday is tomorrow. I am turning 29, and yet I don't feel a day past 19! It feels as though time flies sometimes, and one could only wish to stop it for a second or maybe a minute or two. Does that make any sense? Is it that I have not stopped to take a deep breath and enjoy the air I breathe in? But really just stop, and think about nothing but what is around me. Not the material stuff, but the irreplaceable. Like my beautiful kids, watching them grow, watching them take on their little personalities. The intangible, like my feelings of love, appreciation, and sometimes even sadness, desperation. All the little things that we feel as we grow older *or wiser*. I sigh in complete content that for the first time in my life I am headed in a direction of spiritual peace and journey to appreciate what life has given me. Now that's a birthday gift.

I have been working at Language Line and it has been going well. It is, however, mentally exhausting and going to bed at 3:30am is tiring. However, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to work from home for a few hours. My blogging has been a bit slow lately, but I have continued to blog about The Real Housewives. Check it out... it is simply my opinions and thoughts about them and weekly show recaps and news.

My latest obsession has been watching Glenn Beck. Now before you start throwing stones at me, first hear me out. I have this dream that I can live a sustainable life, that I can guide my kids into living sustainably and providing the food that lays on their table. And a lot of what Glenn Beck says is so true. We have become so dependent on the government and who does what for us. But what would happen say agriculture comes to a halt? Who is going to provide food for us? Are we that incapable that we can no longer farm our own food? Now I am not saying drop everything and start farming, but what I am saying is be capable of doing things for yourself. How many of us are unable to cope with our problems and issues? Does a pill have the answer to our problems or will our problems be waiting for us after the pill wears out? That is why I have been obsessing with watching his show. To see that there is good in people and that we don't need the government handing things down to us. Instead to unite and be charitable, and if I am fortunate enough to give. You can't receive unless you give.

With that I am going to sign off... 'Til next time

Lina
xoxo

Round Cucumbers...?

I went picking some fruits of my labor the other day, and found the strangest thing! Maybe I thought I knew it all, but now I realized I don't. I found the most interesting looking cucumber, it was round and instead of the usual sharp little bumps it had thin hair like around it. So I left it alone and let it go for a few days, but then I just couldn't resist myself and picked it. I googled and learned that there are round cucumbers called lemon cucumbers and boy they are so sweet. I was just amazed, and in my salad it went that night. The taste was excellent to say the least and we couldn't get enough of it. I wish I had let it grown a little longer, but I just can't help myself. Once again, I went inspecting my plants to see if there are any more growing and to my surprise there are more blooms.

Aside from cukes, I have been able to have my tomatoes nearly every day. The plants have turned out to be very productive, but now I feeling the summer nearing an end and I am hating it. But at the same time glad because the kids will be back to school :D and I've had the opportunity to learn a little more about planting and where I could get a better crop. I now know where I get the most out of the sun and so that is where my plants will be next spring. We also had a chance to build a raised bed, and hopefully we can get to work on a few more. It has taken a little longer than I wish but I also want to make sure that we use recycled materials. Wood that otherwise would have ended up in the trash, of course free of paint and chemicals untreated wood. 

In other topics, I haven't been updating my blogs for the past week and I feel so bad about it. But I have and excuse ;) I have been working on the Real Housewives of Bravo website and also completing the training for my interpreting job. I start working next weekend and my shift goes from 7 pm to 3:30 am. That promises to be exhausting for the first few weeks, but I suppose I will get used to it. If you are bilingual and are interested in working from home, I can hook you up! Just leave me a comment, and I'll give you all the info. You need to be very well spoken in both languages, and it helps if you have a cultural background in the target language. Learn more about interpreting here and what equipment is required here.

Tonight is the first part of the Reunion episode for The Real Housewives of NJ and I should have a post up tonight. I didn't get a chance to watch last weeks episode of The Real Housewives of DC, it is on my DVR to be recorded tonight and I should have a post on that tomorrow. And well, I think that is all the updating I wanted to do for today. Hope you all have a wonderful day today, it is sunny here so I know I will.

'Til next time,

Lina
xoxo

Real Housewives Blogging about The Real Housewives

It's been a few days since I've blogged here, but you know my other blog is giving me quite a bit of work ;). With all the Housewives craziness who can resist writing about it? It's worth mentioning that the housewives blogger community, while small is a really neat one! Everyone has their own outlook on The Real Housewives, each has their favorite, each has the one they hate, and it's nice to see how we all gather on twitter going bananas over the show. Wouldn't it be nice if we created a Real Housewives Blogger Club, and we can all gather bounce ideas around and create a new blogosphere revolution? Just a thought :D. Just wanted to give a warm shout out to one of my tweeps @HousewivesTalk she has her very own take on the housewives. Check out her blog and give her a shout out too!

The "Real" Housewives Blog

I have also been actively posting some articles on HubPages and will be moving The Real Housewives of Bravo to its own domain really soon! This is really exciting news because I really want to add new features and make it an inviting place to all the housewives fans. So stay tuned for that!

'Til later,

Lina
xoxo

Home Office Furniture from Craigslist

Who ever said you have to be well put to get nice furniture? In this day and age we can't afford to put money down the drain right? With an economy that continues to plummet  and businesses going bankrupt, Craigslist is the one stop shop to all your furnishing needs. It is very easy to find local people trying to sell their stuff, either because they are moving or simply because they need the money. With that in mind, you have a lot of room for negotiating and shopping around. So lets say you are on a tight budget, have a tight space and would like an antique look. Can you get your office going for about $200? I think it is doable. Here are some pictures of some items you can put together without breaking the wallet:

Here you have a really great parlor chair, with casters on the front legs and a very bright sunflower colored upholstery. This chair can be easily reupholster to suit the color scheme you want, and it is in very good shape. The asking price for this chair is $125, but I bet that a few emails back and forth you can get it down to $100. 


For desks, I have you 2 options. We have an antique secretary; it has 3 drawers, glass doors, and a roll up drawer for your laptop. This piece needs some TLC, but can be easily brought back to life and refinished to match the chair. Asking price $80, compare at $400 for a similar piece. The second desk is a nice mahogany color, it definitely needs some refinishing but for only $40 (I am sure this price is negotiable) you have plenty left on your budget to work on it. Also, always check the free section of craigslist. There is always something there to be gotten. It is a great way to recycle and keep more stuff from landing on our landfills. 

A few pointers to keep in mind when shopping from craigslist:

• If you are not familiar with the location or are afraid because you do not know the person, always go with a friend. I say better safe than sorry! 
• Be sure to inspect all furniture for bugs!!! Yep, the last thing you need is to bring new tenants in with the new furniture. Check small cracks and crevices, this is were they tend to hide. 
• Also inspect for damages. If the item seems in worser condition than you had in mind negotiate the price or walk away! 
• Be aware of scams out there! Stick to local listings to avoid these, and do not pay until you have inspected and agreed with the seller on the item.

Depression hurts... Cymbalta can help

OOh well maybe Cymbalta can't help but depression does hurt. What is it about life that we know we have all we need; love, family, health but we are not completely satisfied? That something maybe lacking, or not necessarily that, maybe a traumatic or stressful situation triggered it, or financial struggles is getting the best. But whatever the cause maybe, when is it time to reach into the medicine cabinet? When do you recognize that there is a problem and that you need help? Or when is a problem small enough that a pill isn't really necessary? In a generation where medications are constantly shoved down our throats and the pill knows it all, is it hard to figure these things out? I have seen friends instead of fixing the problem they just suppress it with a handful of Xanax. Guess what? once that wears out, the problem will still be there!!! It isn't going anywhere, and will not got anywhere until you make it go.

Why am I writing about this, you might wonder? I was talking to a very close friend of mine and the subject came up. We were both complaining about life, about how depressed we were, and how much she missed her old friend (me!) and how much I missed my old friend (her!). Before you even think anything, I do not take any medications, I have refused to, I try to fight my demons on my own, and I just hate the thought of taking anything. But I have come to the conclusion that depression can be physically debilitating, and that when you reach that point where you can no longer fight your demons it is time to get some help. I have days that I cannot even move off my couch to do the simplest day to day chores, I might start something and not finish it until the end of the day, I complain about my weight and yet do nothing about it, I find no motivation even when I have the most important things in my life standing right in front of me. I go to work, but that's about the only thing that I feel motivated enough to leave the house for. I tell myself maybe meditation can help, maybe in the quietness of my thoughts I can find the answer but I hardly ever stop thinking!! Sometimes I am yelling at myself in my thoughts, be quiet, stop for a second, it will come to you! But I am not patient enough for it to come to me. And NO I am not postpartum, I think I am way passsst that stage. I am still traumatized from an accident my daughter had 9 months ago. And although I tell myself things could have been worse, its hard to really believe that and it is hard to accept. So here I am, writing about this, hoping that if there is anyone else out there feeling the same you will know that it is time to get help. The answer may not be in a pill, but maybe just having the chance to tell some one how you feel, and releasing all that tension can be of help. Emptying the bottle that you have suppressed for so long may be the release to all that has been choking you, and you can finally see the beauty in life and all that loves you.

It's time to pick up the phone and taking the first step to getting better. Life is to wonderful to let it go right by you, take a deep breath and enjoy the tiny little things in life that no one else takes a chance to notice. If you can do that, then you will find that a little at a time you can come out of it stronger, because taking a pill will not make your problems go away it will only soften them. But in the end you will still have to deal with it.


'Til next time,


Lina
xoxo

Just Another Random summer Sunday Afternoon

Yesterday we headed out to the yard and ended up putting together a 4'x8' box that will serve as a raised bed for our garden. It was a hot and humid summer day, so after we were done with that we decided to just relax and let the kids run the backyard. And then it was grilling time! Threw some steaks on the BBQ, made some mash and salad, and figured lets just eat outside. Take that back! the flies had a better idea. The minute we sat down to eat, these flies started coming out of nowhere. And hubby was enjoying killing flies more than eating his steak. So in we ran with dishes, drinks, and kids! Finally we could enjoy dinner.

After dinner we went back outside for a little game I call "if you land there I will plop you". Well you see, hubby was having a little too much fun killing flies that I just had to join in. Yuck, it is just disgusting, gross, but the more we killed these stupid flies the more that came. It was the flies massacre. EXTRA! EXTRA! This just into the newsroom of flytown_Be alert and stay away from Lina's house, the number of bodies is in the hundreds and rising! LOL! Seriously what a party pooper.

Anyhow, we were able to put the swatters down and let the kids have their fun_Smore time! We made them smores by the fire until their faces could not take anymore chocolate, and into the bath they went. After bath, it was finally hubby and me time. We watched the movie Brothers with Tobey McGuire and Jake Gyllenhaal. I was bawling! I seriously wanted hubby to skip the knock on the door part. Maybe I am too sentimental or emotional or whatever, but this sadness came over me. I mean come on now, its just a movie right?? It got me thinking our men and women (our children, spouses, friends, etc) are out there fighting this war, but how many of us really care? I mean REALLY CARE? We take our freedom for granted, as if it was this God given right. And these men and women come back from war, having put everything on the line, having lost themselves out there, and I ask you for what? Only they know what they have seen and done to give us the luxury we can today call freedom.

To all our troops and war veterans, I salute you, I thank you because without you we would have no freedom and for all we know we would be living hostages to terrorism and fear. God Bless You, and may you get home safe.

'Til next time,

Lina
xoxo

Career at a Crossroad

I haven't blogged in a few days, between work and Real Housewives blogging and my lately lack of sleep my brain has been kind of fried! I am sort of stuck at a crossroad right now, and I don't know whether to be excited or scared. I applied to get a position as a Spanish interpreter with Language Line and the interview process has gone smoothly. I am literally ready to be hired, but I wonder if I can really handle it all? It is a great opportunity, as I would be working from home. I have also picked a part time schedule that will not conflict with my job at the post office, but I still wonder if I am over loading myself. '

One thing I have learned from working at the post office is that I am at their beckoning. The pressures of having to commit to "when needed" has now proven to be difficult, especially when I have 3 kids, no family nearby, and no baby sitter. So the sound of working from home sounds sweet right now, but I hold on to the future I could have at the post office. No matter, I am considering continuing my position there and taking on the new job as well. This could potentially mean more time for blogging *with a sly smile* during the periods that I have no calls and less sleep for me. 

What to do?????? 

I have made some exciting changes to my blog. With the addition of a Store page where you can find some of my work. All of my work is made individually for the person ordering it, so if you have any specific colors you want or whatever the case may be just ask me. The check out is safe and secure through Google Checkout, but if you do not have an account I can accept PayPal. 

Garden update: Tomatoes are delishhhh but with the last rain we got the wind blew my plants to the ground!! No biggie I have left them alone and let nature take its course. The cucumbers are simply delicious and juicy and I couldn't ask for more! 

'Til next time,

Lina

xoxo

It's the Simple Things in Life that Count

What a beautiful day today was. After work, my husband, the kids and I went out for a ride and then I got a few things for dinner. Instead of doing the dishes after dinner, we decided to head outside and enjoy the beautiful evening. The weather was really nice, we let Simon (the cat) and Spot (the bunny) out to explore the world no more than 10 feet away from me Simon! and find things to chew on. The kids had so much fun running around, and since my husband did the lawn earlier we decided to collect some of the grass clippings. I thought it would be good for the bunny, but after reading some stuff online I am definitely not feeding it to her. Instead I am going to use it for bedding and compost. Apparently the grass clippings are not good because the heat from the lawn mower makes it ferment. Hey we still had fun raking it up!!

All of this got me to thinking how the simplest things in life make us so happy. Money is not wealth at all, my wealth is within days like today. We are healthy, have beautiful kids, love our pets, and love each other. What more can you need in life? Of course you do need to have a shelter and food and what basic needs, but if you know how to curb your spending then it is possible to live on a less than wealthy income. So there you have it! Frugality can lead to finding the real valuable things in life. Spending more time with the family, doing things together, and realizing that money does not buy you happiness.

Garden update: I have been picking cucumbers nearly every day and some tomatoes too!!!! Yummmy

Til' next time,

Lina
xoxo

Crochet Hats - Slouchy crochet hat

Cables in crochet??? This hat is a delightful design of what appears to be knit cables, but it is actually crochet. With baubles around it and a small band to finish it off. It is the perfect hat to wear when you just want to hang out relax and not worry about what to wear or how to fix your hair! I am working on a knitted pattern also, and should have some pictures up soon. If you are interested in any of my work, click on the contact me tab to send me an email. I do not have an etsy store, but I do hope to work on a website soon.

Direct Traumatic Optic Neuropathy (Direct TON)

Before I even get to what direct TON is, I want to point out that my feeling guilty ride is over, I have put this in a box, threw it away and I am now moving forward. I am not writing about this to be judged or be called a bad parent. I am writing about this because I doubt many parents are aware of the dangers around kids and pencils or any sharp pointy object for that matter. That includes pencils, markers, keys, small elongated toys, a high heel shoe, etc. I think you get my point. This is a hard subject for me to even touch, but I feel that it is important for me to bring some awareness about this condition and how it is diagnosed.

My 3 1/2 year old daughter, Gianna, fell while she was running from her brother. What neither my husband or I realized was that she had a pencil in her hand. When she fell and I saw her get up, I still didn't know what the situation was but I knew something was wrong. The pencil was on the floor and she was covering her eye. I thought I was going to die!! We called 911 and we were rushed to the emergency room. She had some exposed fatty tissue, her eye was pretty much intact, just a major laceration in her right upper eyelid (or so we were told). They ran X-rays, no foreign objects found, so she was sutured and set home. As expected, she had bruising around her eye, and her eyelid was swollen shut. I did everything possible to make sure she had a quick recovery, and in fact she was able to open her eye about 3 to 4 days later with minimal bruising. We followed up with the surgeon a week later with a complaint that her eye was somewhat deviated. He referred her for an MRI, which we were not able to schedule for another week since she needed to be sedated. Two weeks gone by she goes for the MRI and as I am walking in the door I get the call from the doctor. She needed to be admitted to the hospital for an inflammation in the back of her eye. She received IV steroids treatment for about three days and we were discharged to continue oral steroids at home. While in the hospital they did every test possible including blood work and CT scan to determine why she had vision loss and whether there was an underlying condition causing the inflammation. So what went wrong??

Direct traumatic optic neuropathy in plain English is damage to the optic nerve resulting from an injury. In the case of direct trauma, the injury can result from either a penetrating object or from blunt trauma to the head with bone fractures. Most commonly this can happen in an injury from a gunshot where there has been bone shattered. While a penetrating injury is less common, it does happen. There are not enough articles on the internet or even in the medical community that discuss this type of injury causing it to go unnoticed. There are a few sites that include some articles and even pictures, but I have yet to see some sort of documentation for a penetrating injury with a pencil and how it is treated. It is a shame, because kids are very prone to this sort of injury. The consequences with this type of injury are devastating. Let alone the possibility of brain damage, there is also the chance of partial to complete vision loss in the injured eye. Doctors are also divided as to how this should be treated, but the most common treatment is IV steroids. The problem with an untreated inflammation is further damage to the nerve.

The proper diagnostic testing for this type of injury is a CT scan, and this should be done as soon as you get emergency care. There are several things can be determined with a scan, one being damage to the nerve. Also they can determine if there are any foreign objects in the orbital area or if there has been any damage to the brain. Immediately nerve damage is suspected the doctors should treat with IV steroids as well as antibiotic to prevent further damage to the nerve. Obviously as parents we don't ever expect things like this to happen to our kids. But if you should ever find yourself in a similar situation here are some steps to making sure you are getting them the best care possible:

In my daughter's case, because she was not given the proper diagnostic testing her injury was improperly treated. It is almost like a slap in the face when a doctor tells you how lucky your child is, and later you find out she wasn't so lucky after all. The misconception that just because no one saw this pencil going into her eye or just because the Xray revealed no foreign object, that there was no further damage other than the laceration on her eyelid. As parents you are ecstatic to hear your child is lucky and doing well; and we didn't ask questions we were just elated to go home with a healthy child.

Today Gianna is a perfect 4 year old girl, ready to go to school, ready to explore the world, and legally blind in one eye. Don't feel bad for her, she has not let that hold her down. If you were to see her, you would never know that she has a visual problem. She is required to wear glasses all the time to protect her good eye from an injury. Her vision is 20/200, but quite honestly I believe it to be better than the doctors are able to determine. Mostly, her peripheral vision was affected. As she has learned to adapt to the changes, her left eye is compensating for the right eye making her central vision great and her peripheral vision not so much. She had eye muscle surgery (mostly for cosmetic reasons) so that she looks absolutely normal. And the scar, well that fades with time as do all internal wounds.

I hope that you will find this blog informative and raises awareness. You can be on top of them as much as you can but some times accidents are inevitable and we just learn to deal with the consequences. Til' next time,

Lina
xoxo

Cooking made simple!

The Real Housewife of NYC, Sonja T. Morgan, has been working on new YouTube cooking lessons. Sonja is known for her simplicity and cooking in the toaster oven just proves that! Her challenge: for under $20 and in under $20 a simple style, elegant, healthy, and calorie conscious meal. No fuzzy clean ups, or dirty stoves and pans. Ladies get your toaster ovens out and lets get cooking.



I suppose I like working hard, because I do cook in the stove. The clean-ups are a pain in the butt, and the heat that comes off that stove in this weather is unfavorable. But this is something that I will absolutely have to try. Especially when you have kids, cooking becomes more of a chore rather than enjoyment. I like to cook but at times you almost have to drag me to the kitchen to do it. Between Gianna trying to help (help as in mommy can I watch you, or can I wash the dishes, or anything to distract me!) and James constantly running to the pantry closet I loose all desire to cook.

On another note, yesterday was my last day at the Mellenville Post Office and I am a bit saddened :(. I really loved it there, but the travel distance was really getting to me. I am now being transferred to a Post Office only 10 minutes away from home. I am excited and nervous! Did you know that the Post Office has been rated the #1 most trusted government agency for six years in a row?? It is a great company to work for and to grow your career. As a full time mom, a part time position at the Post Office really was all I was looking for. Being home for almost 7 years was starting to get to me. And don't get me wrong, I love my kids dearly, but one person can only take so much googoo's and daadaa's and I wants and whys before they start to go bananas! And what better place for me to start-jump a career? I truly love it!

Today I am working on a slouchy knit hat made in cotton, in a lace pattern by Natalie Harson. For those of you who watch the Real Housewives of NJ, it is like the hat that Ashley Holmes has been sporting around, only a more Spring into Summer version. I will post pictures as soon as I am done with it. Speaking of which, what did you think of last night's episode? Danielle Staub's ex-husband is (how shall I say this?) uum unattractive. I am amazed that he even agreed to be on cameras after she has continuously bashed him over the period of the show. Her girls are gorgeous, but I can't help but wonder what kind of example she is setting for her daughters?  Wearing her engagement ring was a little desperate and she should really try and keep those girls a little more afloat the surface and not engage them in adult situations.

Well that's enough blabbing for today. I have to sign off for now (gotta work on that hat) and do some chores. Til' next time,

Lina
xoxo

Infant crochet hat, headband and knitted socks

I am finally all done with my friends' baby hat, headband and socks! It is sooo precious, that I was tempted for a second **for a very slim second** to have another girl! The headband was done in tunisian crochet, I used a stretchy cotton yarn, and added two pink flowers for a final touch. The hat is made all in single crochet, and it is almost like a hat you would wear to the Kentucky Derby. The headband can be easily placed around the hat for the extra flare. The socks are knitted, again in stretchy cotton yarn, and each with a flower to match the headband. This is the first time I ever worked socks this small, but they are so easy to make and so cute. 

The hat is King Tut cotton, it is a simple pattern done in the round, single crochet throughout, with increases for 7 rounds. The brim is also done in single crochet and it is achieved by creating more increases once you reach the desired length for the hat. The basic pattern for this hat can be found in the book Fun & Funky Crochet by Sophie Britten. However, I did adjust the pattern to fit the look I was trying to achieve.  It is all about taking a pattern and making it your own!

I really do hope that it will fit the baby, I haven't had a baby in so long I forgot how small (or big) they are. All in all, I feel very confident that they will fit her just fine ;). I really enjoyed working on this set, especially since I didn't know what the socks would look like once done. It was really exciting to see the final product completed.

Til' next time,
Lina
xoxo

    

Turning a bad day into a good one!

Initially my day started out fine, decent you could say; but then things just went south! Until I came across the competition of the year on 92.3 Now Radio, that had me laughing!! Its California Boys vs. Staten Island Girls.

In this corner the sexy looking boys (yes, I am being sarcastic) trotting their belongings, wigs, and pink make up. Greetings loved ones, is time to get horny!!



And in this corner, the Staten Island Girls representing all of Staten Island's, and for that matter Jersey Shore, guidettes. With their orange skin and black hair on top!



Who do you think gives Katy Perry the run for her money, and takes the trophy?
Thank you for making my day a fun one!!

Staten Island Girls Remix Spoof on Good Day New York

o it's my luck right??? They were supposed to be coming on at 9:20 am, instead they get pushed to 9:40. This whole time I am recording the show, and 9:35 hits the clock BAM! my TV turned off, cable box, computer!!! So as fast I could I turned on the cable box, and run to the other room to try and capture the couple of minutes they were on the show. Sorry girls, I did a horrible job :x. I was hopeful that just maybe I had the show recorded on the box. But when I went to check, the memory was full!!!! Gotta love Thursdays. Anyhow here is the best of what I could do. ***UPDATE*** Got a link for the vid!

Tara Mooney, Shannon Mooney, Mary Kate Mooney, and Melissa Orientale

The Staten Island Gurls Fever continues....

The Staten Island Gurls Tara, Mary Kate, and Shannon Mooney along with Melissa Orientale are scheduled to appear on Good Day New York tomorrow at 9:20 am. What started out as an innocent spoof on Youtube has risen to the top. The Staten Island Advance featured them on the front page of the newspaper. What many people don't realize is that Tara can actually sing, but again this was meant to be a spoof. Much success to you girls!!

Here is their appearance on WCBS TV

And stay tuned for their Good Day New York appearance!!

A fake is a faker, a faker, a faker... as Danielle Staub's friend Danny would put it =)

I watched Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and I just couldn't stand Danielle Staub for a second. She looked like she couldn't be done with the show fast enough. Her little dance was just another one of her acts! I guess she was trying really hard to make Andy feel better. And to be quite honest, I disagree with Bravo's depiction's of what Real Housewives are like. Or perhaps I am the one that's not normal here???? It seems as though, these housewives are more about the limelight, fame, promoting their businesses and products then about being an actual housewife.

Their childish behavior on national television does nothing but degrade who we are as women, as mothers, and as wives. There is more to women than bickering and constant drama. We are strong, intelligent, human beings. Although, I admit that I watch the shows, I constantly find myself questioning their behavior. I suppose it makes for great TV ratings, but where do their children fall in all of this. As many have watched, Ashley, Jaqueline Laurita's daughter, has fallen into a very self-destructive behavior. I wish I could put my hand right thru the tube and as Italians would say "give her a beaten". She has no respect for herself let alone her mother, and it is so obvious that she could care less. I do believe that Jaqueline is trying to get a hold of the situation, and who am I to criticize anyone or their parenting skills?

The fact of the matter is, while some of the Real Housewives are down to earth and grounded, most of them are self absorbed and misrepresent who we really are. If they were to bring cameras into the homes of your everyday housewife, what a different story it would be. We would be running around town dropping the kids off to school, doing the household shopping, cleaning our homes, and caring for our families. 

Staten Island Girls Remix Spoof

Bless the imagination of kids... this is my niece's cousin!! It is a spoof of Katy Perry's latest California Gurls - the parody titled Staten Island Girls takes on a very comical and somewhat real view at Staten Island Girls. From the orange hued skin to the late night munchies, it is all part of living in Staten Island. The spoof is at almost 80,000 views on YouTube  and is being played all over the radio and internet!!!!! Congrats Tara

Rue La La....Ooh La La

Being frugal doesn't necessarily mean being cheap. While it's true that price is the biggest priority, quality is also at the top of the list. I, for one, do put price ahead of everything else. But I would be lying if I said that I don't spend money on impulse once in a while for something that I find of good quality, brand, and above all at a bargain price! But after having three kids, it is a challenge to find the right bathing suit and to top it off at a discount price. Most mommies out there can relate to this issue. Often times after several pregnancies, our skin just isn't the same. So why not make the best of what we have? Out of an impulse I ordered from Rue La La a DKNY indigo u-neck maillot one piece swimsuit. It is part of their Spring 2011 collection, and the regular retail price is $104. Obviously being the frugal person that I am, I did not pay $104! I only paid $39.99, after tax and shipping I still come at just a bit under 50%!! And am I proud of this purchase? 100%!! I haven't felt sexier in a swimsuit in a very long time. This suit flatters my body, and provides the right amount of coverage right where I need it. 

So besides hitting the clearance racks at department stores for what's left of the season, is it possible to buy boutique items at a bargain price? Yes it is! They are private shopping clubs where club members can enjoy up to 70% off retail price brand name merchandise through limited-time events.These private shopping events usually last three days per boutique. It is like shopping at a sample sale only with the convenience of doing it from home. For example, they may open up a DKNY boutique for a period of three days for a limited number of items. You have the opportunity to purchase these items at a discount price, but there is a limited quantity they will allow you to get per item as well as a time limit on your shopping cart as items can sell out quickly. A club will hold several boutiques at a time and the boutiques are not limited to just clothing. They may include housewares, vacation packages, shoes, accessories, handbags, etc. etc. etc.

The clubs are by invitation only, which means a club member has to invite you in. Otherwise, you could request a membership and they will email you when there is a spot open for you. You will get daily or weekly emails with their latest boutiques openings and special events. As a club member you can invite your friends and family, and get a referral credit once they make their first purchase. Not only will you be spreading the word around, but you will also be earning some credits for doing so!

You ask, where do I find these private clubs and how can I get in? I first heard of them in the news and became curious about it. I had to request a membership and wait to get a spot. But now that I am in, I can spread the word! I am familiar with three of these clubs, and I am sure that there are more out there I just don't know about them *yet*.

Beyond the Rack - They have tons of events going on right now, including an awesome GPS system! With Beyond the Rack if you are a My Points member you will also earn points!
Rue La La - Jewelry, shoes, handbags, men's clothing, even linens!
RowNine - Fendi Eyewear, Braun Shaver, and some of the coming up boutiques include Farberware Cutlery, and Clarins skin care. RowNine runs weekly sweepstakes for very desirable prizes! I haven't won anything yet but I will surely keep trying.

What are you waiting for? Go check them out, spread the word and start shopping now!

Ironing..... arrrghhhhh

Ironing - The least favorite chore on my to-do list.
I dislike it so much, that here I am writing about it instead of doing it. I have absolutely nothing to write about, but I'd much rather crunch my brain than iron clothes. The mountain of clothes stares me in the face, as if I am neglecting my duly wife duties. When I think about that hot iron in this hot weather I think of me being in an oven getting cooked. But here I am, I have to do it regardless of how I feel about it. Great!

I guess I'll be back later after I finish my chores, the things I am working on. I am looking forward to finish that set that I have been working on!

Learning all about blogging, options, templates, HTML. What can I say? I like to learn

I spent most of yesterday and part of today trying to find the right template for my blog and trying to make it function the way I want it to. Wow the programming and coding world is one full of mysterious surprises. So I finally landed on this background that I find suits me well, and as you can see I am also playing around with the fonts. What do you think? I have also added some extra features, like Twitter, about me tab, and contact me tab. Please be sure to visit my other tabs to learn a little more about me and what my interests are.

And now that I am done with all of that, I have to work on a hat for a friend that just had a baby. She is going to be so surprised when she sees what I've come up with. And sorry, I guess you will have to wait too to see what I am creating ;). I will give you a hint tho, it is a set and I am using both knitting and crochet techniques. LOL as if that was much help!! I should be finished by Thursday at the latest (I usually take about a day just on the hat). And I'll post some pictures once it is done. But if you are curious about some of the things I make, check out the about me page. In there I have pictures of some of my creations.

Well I suppose I have to go clean this house, finish that set I am working on and check on my garden. Once again, thanks for dropping by and reading my blabs. Until next time,

Lina
xoxo

Designer Brands at a Frugal Price

Looking for luxurious brands at an unbeatable price? Check out my latest hub.

Designer Brands at a Frugal Price

Pruning... Today was all about pruning the tomatoes

I have been lazy, updating content takes thought and energy. Besides, constantly adding to HubPages has been taking a bit of my time and ideas. Nonetheless, here I am typing about pruning tomatoes!! Learning all about blogging is not as easy as I thought. Making money out of blogging is even harder than I had hoped, but we'll take up on that some other time. For now I want to focus on pruning :D

Last night was raining, thundering and lightning like crazy! So with the storm gone, I had to focus on pruning all the extra weight off the tomatoes plants. All of those extra branches that are not holding any fruits are just dead weight and when there's a storm it just causes more damage. I focused on the lower branches, but ended up working my way up and pruning quite a bit of them. I can finally see all the clusters of tomatoes hanging onto the plants.

Pruning tomato plants is beneficial for several reasons. For one, there is less weight on the plant itself, as the branches get larger it just makes it hard to navigate around them and adds unnecessary weight. Another point is that these branches keep the fruits from getting all of the nutrients that they should be getting. As these branches seem to get so large and bulky, they are getting all the nutrients. Pruning the plants will yield larger fruits!


I was a bit disappointed the other day because I found some blossom end rot on some of the fruits. But today all of that went away when I could finally see behind all the branches. I continue to be amazed every time I step out the door to check on the garden. The clusters of tomatoes are amazing, I've never seen so many tomatoes in just one vine! A whopping 14 on just one branch, of which 11 are growing perfectly and 3 are still babies (too soon to say if I will actually harvest all 14). And I know that all this may sound stupid or even crazy to you; but to me actually seeing that the work I've put into my garden is paying off is just darn awesome. My daughter and I picked two green beans and ate it right off the plant. It was so heart warming to see her eating that green been like it was candy and to see her amusement by nature.


Thanks for reading my ramblings.. until next time
Lina
xoxo
Link to my latest Hub

Showing off!! Sorry :D

 

This tomato has an extra butt!! LOL

Finding Real Work-From-Home Jobs Made Simple

Finding legitimate work from home jobs is like finding a needle in a haystack. It is nearly impossible to find the real deal when the Internet is flooded with tons of fake opportunities and scammers. For many years I have tried different opportunities and jobs from cold calling to SMS chatting, and can tell you that the jobs are out there you just need to know how to find them. Here is a breakdown from my past experiences of what is real and what is just too good to be true.

Too Good To Be True
• If they ask that you pay any kind of fees to sign up, or to send you materials, or to get you leads then it probably is too good to be true. Ameriplan, I am afraid falls into this bracket. You start at the bottom of the pool, and they give you their worst lead to get you to buy leads, up sell options that should be free.
• If they promise you a six figure income with very little effort, trust me it is too good to be true. Pyramid schemes are awesome at offering you riches that is if you can ever make it to the top!
• Exchanging checks is another scam that many people fall into. No one in their right mind will send you a check and trust you to cash it and send it to it’s destination!
• If they request your personal information or it seems like they “hired” you magically without an interview or any background, they are most likely identity thieves.
• Stuffing envelopes, assembling things, and craftwork are all scams!

The Real Deal
• Some great companies that I have come across will run background checks on you with out asking you for a dime. This is to ensure they are hiring the right person, and that the contractor will protect all private information being handled over the phone or online.
• SMS chatting include innocent, flirty chatting to sex chat. Trust me, they are out there and they are real. My suggestion on this type of opportunity is to go with a company overseas, like in the UK (NoGoats). The reason I say this is because in the US the FCC is very strict and demanding with companies within the US providing these services. It becomes costly for the companies therefore your chances of making a nice extra income are diminished greatly. Sex chatting is really a great way to make some extra income, bare in mind that NO work at home opportunity will truly make you rich, but you CAN make a decent living doing them.
• Freelance writing, photography, IT, typist, medical billing, transcriptionist, etc. are all great positions for telecommuters.

In conclusion, my personal experience is this there are opportunities and there are jobs. Make sure you understand the difference; obviously an opportunity is just that. I can personally recommend the following companies:

• West At Home Agent – you are a hired as an independent contractor to answer the phone to all kinds of calls including infomercials, HSN, cell phone companies, to name a few. This is inbound call telemarketing position, I call it telemarketing because you will have to pitch up-sells to the customers calling in. Because sensitive personal and financial information is handled, West will run a background check on all new contractors.
• If you are bilingual, then why not make it into a career? Language Line services will hire you as an interpreter. You are hired as an employee, depending on the language and the country, to work from home or as an independent contractor. They also hire for in call center, it all comes down to the language you are able to offer. Your pay will be based on the minimum wage plus premium minutes. Again, this is not a get rich quick scam, it is a real job and you will earn a salary from home. They will run background checks as sensitive information is constantly being exchanged between the interpreter and the client. They handle all kinds of calls such as 911, Social Security, customer service, cell phone companies, and the list goes on and on.
• Blogging – is another way to make some extra income, however it takes a lot of time and passion to make it work. Building a blog requires tons of dedication, and constant content update. If you are not patient, then blogging may not be your cup of tea. Also keep in mind that you will not get rich doing this, you will make a few extra bucks. Of course if you have a very special niche and can stand out from the rest, the possibilities are endless.

Finally, do your research! Research, research, research! Until you are certain that the company is reputable and legitimate. Be sure to have a quiet place and any equipment needed to work the jobs you are interested in. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you will become a millionaire working from home, it just doesn’t work that way. And for goodness sake, be sure that you will love your job; no amount of money can replace happiness.

Check out this website it provides you with a list of companies to seek work from, some of which I am familiar with. Browse around it, it goes into details as to what works and what doesn’t and you can make an informative decision. Hope you find this post helpful, and if you are really passionate about working from home don’t give up!

Free Gift Cards!!

I wanted discuss this a little further so you get a better idea as to how I get my gift cards. I have been an active member of My Points since 2007. To this date I have earned over 31,000 points, and of that I have redeemed 27,000. In just a few words, My Points is a company that connects merchants with consumers through their websites, emails and consumer opinions. In return the customer is rewarded with points that can be traded for gift cards. Here is how it works:

1)   Signing up for my points is easy and free - You can Google it and go straight to their website or if you have a friend that is already a member, why not ask them for a referral? They will thank you for it!

2)   How to earn points - Earning points is as easy as reading your emails!

• Your first stop is to fill out your profile, and you'll be earning 60 points just for doing so.
• Make sure you scroll down on your email for the offer, you get 5 points just for clicking on the email or more points if you follow through with the offer.
• You get points for shopping online, make sure to access the stores website through My Points in order for the purchase to qualify. 
• Answering surveys can earn you 50 points if you qualify, but if you do not qualify you still will get 10 points.
• Other point earning opportunities include referring friends (that has gotten even more exciting earning you 10% off your friends' earned points), signing up for emails, bonus offers, printing coupons, downloading the search bar, daily Spin 'n' Win, and more!

3)   Redeeming your points - Is just as hard as deciding where you want to shop! With over 70 participating merchants, it's hard to choose where you want to spend your hard earned money. You can start redeeming for gift cards as low as $10 or as high as $100, some stores however, will only go up to $25 such as Overstock.com. Your options are endless, from clothing, to shoes, to electronics; My Points is the place to be.

A few things to keep in mind when signing up with My Points are:

• You will be getting emails from them daily, so make sure to read them and delete them daily so your mailbox is not flooded.
• Before you can redeem for the first time you have to have made at least one purchase through My Points.
• Spread the word! Referring friends will yield you more points and your friends will thank you for it too!
• And if you decide to sign up for My Points, let me know. I don't mind a referral or two ;)

Hope you find this blog informative and helpful. If you are already a member of My Points, what do you like about the program? What have you redeemed for so far?

Tips to Saving Money in this Economy

1. Create a shopping list - Whether you use the old fashioned pen and paper or the more modern and quicker way list through your grocer, having a list ready before you head out the door keeps you from buying more than you budgeted for. It also cuts down on the amount of time you spend at the store and gives your kids a job while shopping. Although I should say, you should avoid shopping with the little ones because they always find something they want outside the list.
2. Clipping coupons - I do this the week prior to the sales. I get them in the mail, along with the following week's circular. That gives me a better perspective as to what will be on sale and I combine it with the coupons for even more savings. I am a member of My Points, and so I clip coupons online. Not only do I save on groceries, but I also earn points while doing so.
3. Stick to the sales - I will try and buy only if things are on sale, even if I do not need them. Buying the things that you do not need will keep you from having to buy them at the full retail price when you do need them. However, if you must buy an item because you need it then going for the store brands can save you some, or using coupons as well.
4. Plan your meals - if you plan your meals in advance you wil have less waste, thus less money thrown out the garbage.
5. Less cleaning chemicals - I stick to your typical dish detergents. Add about a 1/4 cup of dish detergent to a spray bottle, water and a few drops of Purification Essential Oil blend, and Voila! A simple, healthy cleaning solution for all around the house. It also helps that there is less plastic in the landfills because I am reusing the spray bottles. I also water down my dish detergent for cleaning the dishes. 
6. Grow your own vegetables - it doesn't have to be a full blown farm. Even if you just have a little corner by a window, there is nothing more rewarding than growing your own food.
7. Make yourself a scarf - learn to knit or crochet. Not only will you have fun learning to do so, but you can use your creations as gifts, or keep them to yourself. You'll be feeling warm and accomplished!
8. Use your loyalty cards - I can't stress this one enough. I use it religiously for a couple of reasons. I get the sales price, I get coupons especifically targeted to my shopping trends, and depending on the store I get points for programs such as baby points at ShopRite, or gas points at Price Chopper. The other day we paid ONLY 0.59c/gal on gas!!! Yep you heard me right!
9. Shop around - and read reviews. There's nothing worse than buying something you are really excited about and then going home to be dissapointed. I love to read online reviews before I head to the store.
10. Online shopping - Saves you on gas, and you can get really good deals! My Points gives you points for shopping online for the things you love.
11. Make your own cup-o-joe - Something as simple as making your coffee can add quite a few bucks to your bank account. 
12. Hair cuts - I cut my kids' hair, I have been doing it for years now and they are used to it. 
13. Hand-me-downs - I have been getting quite a bit of these for my daughter. From clothes, to shoes, to coats, she always has a full closet. When I have to shop for her it is mostly pj's and undies. For my younger son, I hold onto my oldest used clothing. Bottom line is kids grow so fast that clothing truly is a waste of money.
14. Teach your children young - My kids know that I will not buy something unless is on sale. They are learning the value of money and also that when hard times come around they can survive on basics. Birthdays and Christmas I make exceptions, but for the most part they know better!
15. Barter & curb alerts - These are great options when money is tight. There are people willing to trade goods and services for goods or services. Craigslist is full of curb alerts everyday! 
16. Don't be ashamed - There is absolutely nothing wrong with being frugal! It is a way of life where you are focused on your needs rather than luxuries and materialism. You learn the true value of life when you step back from all the fantasies and temptations that are out there. 

I was browsing the AARP magazine when I came across this article titled "The Leap to Cheap" by Jeff Yeager, and I was immediately drawn. Cheap is the new it! And it is true that less is more in many aspects. Spending less money creates more time; time that can be well spent with the family, time to relax and enjoy life. After all it is less time that you have to spend at the stores getting things that cannot fulfill your life. Frugal living is back and people are more careful about the money they spend. As I learn more about this way of living, I hope I can teach my kids to do the same. Besides, you can't take money to the grave and money can't buy you love or the true meaning of life. For it is the love of my family that holds me together.