Why you should never EVER visit Disneyland!

How awful, it's beauty is!

Warning: What you are about to hear is a graphic detailed explanation as to why Disneyland isn't the best place in the whole entire world, as told by someone I THOUGHT I knew. They make some points that I try to "defend and validate". Sarcasm is used, please apply it liberally when reading my answers in particular. The person's reasoning's are not my own and you will see how I truly feel about Disneyland. 

Recently I was having a conversation with someone about a past trip I took with my son to Disneyland. They proceeded to tell me that they hated the "treacherous place", but that they themselves had never been. This person went on and on about how horrendous it was, how it was a ginormous scam, and everyone who goes only leaves in misery. Out of pure curiosity I asked, "Why do you hate Disneyland so much?" After hearing their answers, I'm sorry but I absolutely must concur. There is no reason for a sane person to venture into this "hell hole". Heed my warnings!

Gasp! No one in line! Crowded indeed!

The rides are ridiculous.
Person: "Who in their right mind wants to stand in the hot heat and wait for HOURS just to ride a stupid machine that will end in 30 seconds. I mean, you'll end up getting hungry or the kid will get annoyed and you'll just be upset that you wasted your time. Pointless"

You're absolutely right. I mean, not only do you have the possibility of doing a fast pass to skip the lines later, but the actual ride itself is absolutely ridiculous! I mean, who wants to shoot pretend lasers at Zurg, take a boat ride with robot piranhas, or fly in a dumbo? Seriously! Not only will your child constantly ask to go on every single ride and you will abide by their wishes, but you will actually enjoy yourself! Do you realize what horror it would be if you actually had, FUN! You also have so many different themed areas in the park, with their own ride, how on earth do you plan on doing anything else? I mean it's not like you can eat in between rides or go to the bathroom before hand.

Found HERE

The food is so overpriced and disgusting.
Person: "I'm not going to spend $20 on one single turkey leg, when I can go to a grocery store and buy an entire chicken for $7. Who would be stupid to blow all their money on food."

I've never thought about that! I mean, I could never pack a few snacks and bring them with me, in order to save money and splurge on items you could rarely get outside of Disneyland. And who likes huge, delicious, chunks of meat that you can hold? Ugh, those monsters! Don't get me started on the ice cream! Creamy, rich, flavorful, AND you can have it in a cone?! What gives Disneyland! I'm not here to make memories and eat once in a lifetime-ish food!

He waited a WHOLE 2 mins and laughed!

It's always so crowded.
Person: "I see people's pictures at Disneyland and every where you look, people! Not only are the lines long for the rides, but you have to be in a line for everything! The bathroom, food, pictures, and even when you want to leave. How is that enjoyable? Your kid will pee on themselves before they ever get into a bathroom."

Gosh, I guess I never even realized that the Wednesday we went WAS crowded? I mean, we had to go to the one bathroom everyone was using, and we had to eat at the one specific restaurant that was packed and the most popular, and we had to suffer in those lines in the afternoon without utilizing the fast passes. God, what was I thinking? I mean, we went during the week, got to ride the popular rides with only three people ahead of us in the morning, ate at a restaurant that wasn't busy, and and never once had to wait for a bathroom. Man, it was so crowded.

Found HERE

The gift shops are scams.
Person: "Who wastes all their money on toys that are double the normal price?! I can go to the Disney store in the mall and buy the same thing way cheaper. That's so stupid. And if you can't find it in the stores, they can order it for you online and ship it to your house for free. Idiots."

Alright, that's it. I may not enjoy delicious hunks of meat, while walking around looking like a massive carnivore (I totally do), and I may not like waiting in a short line for a stupid ride (I freaking love it), and I may hate how crowded it is at the ice cream parlor during the middle of the week (1 person ahead of us), and I definitely don't like meeting my favorite Disney Characters (Met a ton), but I will not spend a single ounce of my money on a ridiculous, only sold at Disneyland, memorabilia that my son would absolutely adore, for the price of $10! (I spent about $100 on "toys" for us. It was a birthday gift. I budgeted for it. I bought them. Sue me.) 

Found HERE

If you can't tell, this entire things has been completely sarcastic. The person who was describing the "awfulness" was completely appalled by my answers. I began to tell her that if you haven't even experienced Disneyland, you literally have no room to talk. Disneyland is for dreamers filled with hope. For people who want to make memories and are willing to do a little research to guarantee a good time, even if a few wrenches get thrown in the plans. Nothing is perfect and there will be lines, people, and expensive things, but let's be realistic here. If you aren't a pass member and you rarely ever go, I doubt that's going to bother you. 

So if you don't like deliciously themed food, fireworks filling the beautiful night sky, joyous children and families all around, and adorable hats with mickey ears, stay the HECK away from Disneyland and let us "children" enjoy our "antics" in peace!

How to unwind and de-stress and why it's important.

We all have those overwhelming moments where we feel an abundance of stress, accumulating inside us to the point of explosion. We may snap at anyone and everyone, feel flustered, maybe even have an un-welcomed headache to top it all off. Don't worry, everyone has their moments. Stress can be a silent killer in many different forms. It can lead to forgetfulness (due to constantly being flustered), heart problems (you heart rate goes up when you're upset), and high blood pressure. Nobody needs those. How you choose to deal with stress, is key to having your inner peace return quickly. As a single mom, whose also an extreme introvert, with severe anxiety and frequent panic attacks in social settings (along with mild depression), let me just say that I have learned a few tricks on how to create a serene state of mind even in the most stressful of situations. 

My most stressful moments are when I'm preparing to deal with a group of people, whether it be in a mall, grocery store, park, work, or friendly gathering. I force myself to go out and experience these harsh realities, because otherwise I'd be a hermit wrapped in a blanket burrito, only ever opening for my son to join my fortress of "no one", and what kid wants to live that kind of life? In the beginning I try to talk to myself, reminding myself of the positives and how this is never as bad as I make it to be. For example, I'm not going to a massive judgment frenzy at the Trader Joe's, where I'll be ridiculed, laughed at, and mocked. I'm simply just going grocery shopping. A man by the name of Sean Stephenson wrote an e-book called "How to stay positive when life gets crazy". This very inspiring man read a small excerpt from his book, where he goes on to explain about how him and a friend has gone grocery shopping. At the store, when Sean's friend had reached for a box from the frozen food aisle, all the boxes had tumbled down. Sean's friend has imploded and on the car ride home, Sean asked why his friend had reacted the way he did. Not in a ridiculing way, but in a way to understand. When Sean's friend answered, "If the workers had done their job right, that wouldn't of happened", Sean offered another way of viewing the scenario. Instead of seeing it as the boxes falling, because a worker did their job poorly, what if you just saw it as the boxes falling. The entire point is that we make each situation as meaningful as we choose. If something stressful or negative happens to you, it's only as bad as you make it. Try to remind yourself that the situation just simply is and their is no underlying cause. Trust me, it makes for a less anxious time while trying to pick out papaya. 

After I've pushed myself for the day and mingled amongst the "muggles" and "padawans", I find myself still a bit on edge. I do my best to try and complete some sort of task that will simply let my mind escape, allowing it to relax and let the earlier events be surpassed by what I'm doing at that moment. My number one way is something artisitc. Now, some people may not be an fan of arts and crafts, but that's ok. The point is to de-stress in a way that takes your entire thought process to focus on. Video games, reading, taking a silent (or music filled) bubble bath, exercise, or watching TV/YouTube/Netflix. I myself do all of these from time to time, along with my artistic wind down. As long as you have time for yourself to really get enjoy something fully, you'll be able to survive another night with your brain. 

Since I was a little girl, I always loved music. At my abuelita's house, I would create my own "songs" on the piano and learn ACTUAL songs to play. The melodies and rhythms would soothe my soul and to this day I play to find peace. You may not see this as "artistic", but in reality all music is an art of itself. To create any type of beat takes creativity, which is where art streams from. Another favorite way of mine to include music into my wind down sessions, is by listening to two of my absolute favorite records, Frank Sinatra and Christmas hymns and carols. (I have quite a few favorites, but these two in particular are good for my wind down, as Guns N' Roses isn't exactly calming for me. But hey, maybe it will help you.) Frank's soothing voice takes me to a time where I feel I would've thrived. I'm an eclectic human being with many sides to her, and one of my sides is an old soul. I feel alive whenever I hear swing music, I can never remember what I was upset for in the first place. Easy going, smooth lyrics, and a passion heard through every tune. Thank you Frank! My Christmas hymns and carols are a favorite of mine (really it's ANY Christmas son, hymn, or carol), because who can be mad when Christmas music is playing? I mean really, try single Jingle Bells with a pissed off attitude. You just sound silly. Thinking of all the beautiful decorations, the sweet smell of a Douglas Fir filling the house, lights glowing all night through, and beautiful miracles being granted everyday. If you can't tell, Christmas is a HUGE love of mine. Not for the presents, but because it's a time (like any time really) for giving. It's a time to show people all around you, even those you don't know, that they are worth it. That they are listened to, cared about, and loved. Any music can just help to let out all the stress. Maybe you want loud music to just scream along with, or pop music to dance your heart out, or maybe you just want some classical melodies to slow your heart rate and relax. Regardless your choice, stress be gone!

My second de-stresser(s) are definitely drawing, playing with clay and painting. Artsy stuff. I remember always trying to exude my creativity everywhere, even as a child. I loved the idea of creating something from my imagination and showcasing it for the world to see. While some may not understand the significance (mostly as I got older), others found it interesting. Causing inquisitive minds to think is always fun, but when it's just for me I tend to draw or paint things that I feel express peace, tranquility, and a feeling that I wish to experience. I know, I'm getting a little too deep, but the point is drawing is an excellent time to get your mind off of the stressful moments in life. You could draw all your favorite superheros, characters from a movie, or maybe even a really silly picture with your kids. If you throw yourself into it, you wont have time to worry. You could even start a journal filled with drawings and write around each drawing to let out all you're feeling. I carry mine with me everywhere I go and it's definitely comforting to know I have easy access to my personal de-stresser. 

If you've read my article on adult coloring book, then you'll already know that I am an avid color-er now. If you haven't, you can check out that post HERE. Coloring in general is a lot like painting or drawing, except the lines have already been created for you. The reason I admire adult coloring books, is because they have a few that are quite time consuming and intricate, allowing my mind to be fully focused on the task at hand. With the tiny lines, beautiful drawings, and endless possibilities, how can you NOT want to color?! They've even talked about how adult coloring books have helped people with dementia, cancer patients, and a those with other ailments, which you can read about in my "adult coloring" post as well.

Stress and anxiety can be a pain in the bundt cakes and can ruin an entire week if you let it. The good news is it doesn't have to. I've dealt with massive panic attacks in public before and had to whip out my coloring book, iPod, or just start drawing in my journal. I know what it's like to have so much built up anxiety, crave to do something productive. Then you find yourself with 22 missed phone calls about someone else's "personal emergency" that they can't deal with alone, your child falls and hurts their knee, your boss can't find a particular file and is pissed, you're receiving endless text messages about you not answering, and you feel like every single person in the universe is staring at you and your crying child with thee most judgmental looks possible, all while you yourself have to pee and haven't eaten, so you're shaking from too much coffee. Breathe. No one is staring at you and even if they are, they truly don't matter. Start humming a song to yourself, comfort your crying child, whip out the secret Trader Joe's lollipop you have stashed in your purse for occasions just like this, head to the bathroom, grab a banana, explain to your boss that the file is his top drawer, ignore the text messages, and call your friend to explain how she herself needs to breathe. Then simply tell your friend to leave you a voicemail, because all-in-all, she just wants to say whats on her mind. Draw in your journal, go for an ice-cream run with your kiddo, and remember. You freakin' rock. 

DIY a personalized play kitchen, for super cheap!!!

My son absolutely loved "testing" the play kitchens in stores. He would mock what I did in our actual kitchen and sometimes it was quite difficult to persuade him to walk away. So instead of dishing out the hefty price for some of the more "extravagant" play kitchens, I decided to create a personalized one just for my son, because heck yes!

Let me say this right now. Finishing this project was not a quick one, only because I was incredibly picky with the colors, furniture pieces, and finishing touches. I went out searching at garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores, to find the pieces I felt were best suited to create a kitchen that would suit my son for years. I ended up going with an old wooden filing cabinet (yard sale $3) and a small rolling microwave/TV stand with a shelf on the bottom (Goodwill, $5). Then, I decided on a color scheme. I wanted something bright but not crazy, so I chose to go with green accents. 

My first step was to partially disassemble the filing cabinet. I simply took off the front wooden panels and threw away the bars on top (which hung the files in place), leaving the actual drawers to remain sliding out. Due to the filing cabinet being semi deep, I wanted my son to be able to see all his "groceries", so the slide out feature was a necessity for this kitchen. After the filing cabinet was ready, I simply grabbed a cheap small $2 can of "oops" paint at Home Depot, (I guess they wanted eggshell, not bright white. I don't know, but one man's trash is this momma's treasure.) and began painting the entire outside and inside white. Anywhere that was visible, was painted. Once it was completely painted with one coat, I let it air dry for a couple hours, then did about 1 more coat. I wanted to keep some of the wood texture visible, without overlaying the paint. I purchased two 2oz. Craft Smart Outdoor Acrylic Paint from Michael's (it needed to stand up to a toddler) in green, found HERE. I proceeded to paint both the pull out drawers green on the inside, giving it a pop of color, and allowed it to air dry with the filing cabinet overnight. 

The next day, I reassembled the filing cabinet and faced my first dilemma. I wasn't sure if I wanted to create traditional "fridge doors", as I was concerned my son would slam them too hard. So I went IKEA and chose to purchase the Variera Drawer Mat, found HERE, to use for the "fridge doors" and to use for the backing of the "stove/oven" (TV stand). The entire roll of Variera, is 59 1/4" long, so I had plenty to measure and cur for this project. It ended up working out perfectly, with very little left over. I simply screwed the plastic drawer mat on the top of both corners, to the filing cabinet, one square for each drawer, with a very small frame screw. (Any bigger of a screw and I think the wood would've cracked.) For the back of the TV stand, I simply nailed it all around, with small nails. Again, small enough so the wood won't crack. 

The main foundation of our personalized kitchen has been completed! Now for the details and extras. 

Inside the filing cabinet on the back of the drawer, I used thumbtacks to hang Dollar Tree click lights. You know, the ones where you press them to turn on and off. They also turn off by themselves after a while. I did this so my son would be able to have the feeling of a fridge light. Like I've said before, it's the little things people. 

For the oven/stove, I sketched out 4 "burners" and used left over white paint to make 3 of them appear "off". I had some red Craft Smart paint from Michael's left over from a previous project, to paint 1 burner to appear "on". (You can find the red paint HERE). To create the "faucet", I purchased a letter "J" (mine happened to be on sale for $1 at Michael's, which happens often), turned in upside down, painted it white (they do come pre-painted), and glued it on using some Gorilla Wood glue my father had. This made for the perfect faucet look. To create the illusion of knobs for both the "sink" and the "stove top", sticking with my green accents theme, I purchased a pack of 6 green kitchen knobs from IKEA (found HERE), for only $1.99. (I haven't seen the particular one's I chose in stores recently, but they do have multiple options in color.) I just screwed these bad boys in the with the given screws and now my son can "turn on" the sink and stove top. For under the "sink" and "stove", I used a small tension rod in white, and created 2 curtains out of 2 green fabric place mats I found in IKEA's clearance section for 50 cents each. On the side of the TV stand, I screwed in 4 hook screws (found at Lowe's, but any small hook screws will do) to hang my son's cooking utensils and pretend cutting board. 

And there you have it. One personalized kitchen for a simple boy who loves to pretend cook. When I showed the finished project to him - he was apart of it, he just didn't know what I was doing - he was so happy. We added his little microwave that actually spins the food, beeps, and lights up (Toy's R US - Just like home, brand), all his utensils/plates (found at IKEA), his grocery collection, his mini cooking pots/pans (also IKEA), and a little muffin tin on top of a mini "rack" I found in an IKEA clearance bin as well, to create the idea of an oven. I even hung up a Dollar Tree shower storage, to hold his salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, dust pan, broom, and hand towel. You know, the essentials to any good kitchen. To commemorate the finishing of his kitchen, I sewed/cut a chef's apron for my son, out of a men's Dollar Tree t-shirt. Simply cut out the outline, leaving the neck portion completely intact, and use the extra fabric to sew on "strings". 

Overall I think it turned out awesome. You may be wondering, "but what about the sink?". Well, I didn't want to cut into the actual TV stand, as I was worried the wood wouldn't hold up. So I made it like a "above counter" sink. It makes it more unique I think. My son's happy, this momma's happy, and my wallet's happy. So basically it's a win all around, what's more awesome than that?!

I hope this truly inspires you to create your very own masterpiece, instead of paying big bucks for something that wont last forever. You can find a TON of inspiration on Pinterest. I've seen so many people make amazing play kitchens from old entertainment centers. I find that my son tends to treasure the things he helps make, rather than the toys he buys in stores. So why not make a couple memories and save some money while you're doing it!

Happy cooking!

How and where to find awesome FREE stuff!

As a frugal mom, I try my best to figure out how to get "luxury" items extremely cheap or free. When I say "luxury" items, I don't mean diamonds, brand name purses, or a nice car. While those would be amazing to get for free, they aren't necessarily easily accessed for the low price of $0. Unless of course you're playing on "The Price Is Right". In that case, $1 Drew! For me, "luxury" items are considered anything from Victoria's Secret, special lotions, and any added beauty projects. Which, coincidentally, is exactly the three "luxuries" I'm going to talk about today! 

Many people may (or may not) know about the Victoria's Secret coupons that get sent out in the mail. If you aren't aware of their fantastic deals, let me enlighten you. You can sign up in stores or online for the Victoria's Secret mailing list. Every month or so after I signed up, I received a packet of 3 main coupons. Normally they include a percentage off of a new or popular bra, a free item after spending a certain amount, and of course a FREE undie! Whether it's free without purchase or free with purchase, can change every time. It may not seem like a big freebie for some, but anything from Victoria Secret that comes out to free, is a score to me! Also, try to take advantage of their promotions, where you get a "scratcher" for just trying on a bra. I went in and did just as they asked. I simply tried on a bra, was given a little scratcher, and ended up "winning" a free bandeau bra! It's a really bright coral pink, which I love for hot days when I love wearing "muscle" shirts. If you do decide to use the "pay this much and get this free" coupon, you can always save that freebie for a birthday or Christmas gift! No shame in giving them an awesome gift. 

Another freebie I truly appreciate, is from the beloved Bath and Body Works. The sister store of Victoria's Secret. They also have an in-store or online mailing list sign up, and send you a packet of coupons. They mostly consist of the same type as Victoria Secret. A percentage off, purchase a certain amount get something free, and of course a free mini lotion! About once a year, you can also get really special coupon for a free FULL size lotion! Granted it may take some time to build up a collection like mine, but an added secret is that my mother signed up and only asks for the full size lotion from her subscription! So I get two free mini lotions a month. I decided to get multiple scents for each "season", so I can mix it up whenever I want. I also use some of my free mini lotions to create birthday baskets for some family members that I know appreciate Bath and Body Works lotions.

A secret freebie that most don't know exist, are the "samples" from Target beauty consultants. If you've read a previous blog post of mine, you would know that I was given a small bag filled with goodies. (If you haven't read the post, check it out HERE.) Inside the goody bag, I got mascara (which you can see on the previous post), a coupon for $5 off my makeup purchase, and three awesome products samples. A water sleeping mask by Laneige, which you simply apply to a clean face before bed and rinse off in the morning. It really helps to refresh your skin after a sunburn, after a day filled with dry winter weather, or just for a simple pick me after a hard week. It doesn't agitate my skin or break me out. Also included was a brightening facial scrub by Acure, which is a very gentle, brown colored facial scrub that gives your skin a rejuvenating cleanse. I love this after wearing makeup for a special event. My makeup eraser (an all-time favorite product of mine! Literally replaces ALL makeup remover products. Read about it HERE.) does an amazing job of ridding my face of any "war paint" remnants, but for an extra deep cleanse, the scrub by Acure does a great job. The last thing inside my goody bag, was a 7 Day Volume in-shower hair treatment by John Frieda. Now, I'll be perfectly honest with you and admit that I have not personally tried this product. My hair is fairly thin and any product in my hair creates massive build up with my natural oils, which I don't prefer. A friend of mine however, has used this product and raves about how amazing it truly is. I plan on passing this along to her when I see her again. Regardless, the quantity and quality of freebies in this goody bag was well worth it!

All in all, I can attest to the fact that not every luxury has to be pricey and rack up a huge bill. Some people think I'm cheap, but my train of thought is this. If I can get a bonus item for completely free and use my money of my son's necessities and food, I think I can live with the judgement. Granted I don't think we should judge anyone as we all have a story that differs, but it happens. Now get out there and score some free stuff! 

Be sure to subscribe by email so you never miss a post! You can also follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to keep up to date with any cool "surprises" that may or may not be coming up! Let me know if you guys ever have a request for product review, restaurant remake, or a topic you're interested in! Remember, keep on rockin' life!

What cool ways do you get free stuff?

Funny dating fails I've unfortunately lived through.

Found on Pinterest HERE

Throughout my life, I dealt with a variety of "men" in the dating scene. I use the word "men" loosely, as they were more like boys in men costumes. I'm sure you know the kind I speak of being that they're more common than necessary. During the actual date, I wasn't the least bit entertained by their lack of respect, immaturity, or stupidity. Granted I'm DEFINITELY not "miss prim and proper", (as I'm a bit unique and thoroughly enjoy a sense of humor) but I certainly don't enjoy having someone be right out repulsive the moment we meet. Now that I'm a single mom, out of the dating scene completely (for a while at least), and I've had some time to regrow my hair, I do find some of the stories a bit eccentrically funny. So I decided to share my hilarity with all of the world to see, since everyone could use a laugh. 

The man that decided I was his mom: 

I met a guy through a mutual friend at a dinner party. We will call him Ted. Ted was a tall man with black hair, brown eyes, and slightly over tanned skin. His passions? Cars - of course- and the occasional horse race. He was 23 with a good head on his shoulders. Our first date took place at this restaurant called Peohe's. We met at Peohe's, because I didn't trust just anyone to drive me over the enormous Coronado bridge. Once we were seated and waiting for our cuisine, we began chattering about our likes, dislikes. You know, the usual. After about 12 minutes of talking, our food arrived and I have to say, I couldn't of been happier. Ted was non-stop talking about himself and every time I tried to relate, he turned it to how he was amazing, how he was better than absolutely everyone, and how anyone within his personal space should know how lucky they are. Trying to be nice, I sat around to finish my food and was more than willing to split the check and dip. Unfortunately Ted wouldn't take no for an answer and insisted we enjoy dessert "like civilized high class people". Yes he really said that to me. During our dessert, he pulled out the baby voice. No, I don't mean how we talk to cute adorable children or dogs, but how an ACTUAL baby talks. To make matters worse, he thought he was being....sexy. That's right, he thought he was turning me on and wanted me to play "mommy". He asked if I'd feed him with airplane sound affects, at the restaurant, and then wipe his mouth while "sweetly talking to him as if I had pushed him out my uterus". Tell me that isn't the creepiest thing someone can tell you! Needless to say, I excused myself to the restroom, handed the waitress a $20 for my part of the bill, and drove home immediately after blocking Ted from being able to ever contact me again.

The man that was an aspiring hair stylist:
During an outing at the grocery store, a man approached me saying he wanted to get to know me. We exchanged phone numbers and began what was to be an extremely frustrating couple of days. We will call him Leo. He was Italian, over 6 foot, and had a thick accent. Very easy on the eyes. Our first date was at the beach during night time, with a candle lit dinner that he cooked himself. I thought it was extremely sweet, so I wasn't too concerned. We set up a blanket, he lit the candles, and we started to eat. Leo told me he was going to school to be a hair stylist and since I was wearing my hair down, he was curious if I'd let him style it. I politely told him no thank you, but maybe some other time as I really didn't feel like having sandy hair. After we finished eating, Leo decided to we should go for a little walk along the shore line and end it with a simple massage. Him doing the massaging. I felt a little uneasy about the whole "rubbing my shoulders" thing, but after a long day I wasn't exactly objecting to it either. We made our way back to the blanket, where Leo began his "infamous massage" that apparently no one can resist. Strike one - no one wants to know about how you "subdue" people with your hands on the first date. At least not me. Then he begins massaging my head and talking about my follicles. How they could use a good conditioning treatment, because I haven't been nice to them. Strike two - why would you complain about my hair if I spent an hour straightening it just for this date. Do you think I like burning my scalp? Then as I was tuning him out and just trying to relax, I heard it. Snip. What...the...hell. This crazy man decided to literally chop off INCHES of my hair! His excuse? "Well now you HAVE to let me style it if you don't want to walk around with a horrible haircut." Pissed, I stood up, grabbed his scissors, threw them towards the ocean, and stormed off to a nearby diner that was still open. As I walked away, I could hear Leo scream in horror and run towards his "baby" aka his scissors. Unfortunately this time I was picked up at my friends house, so I didn't have a car to drive away in. I called my friend and explained how Leo had gone full blown psychotic and was picked up within a few minutes. I got my hair taken care of, but I was sporting a REALLY short hair style for a few years, until it finally grew back to his original length. 

The man who loved poop:
At my school there was this guy who I couldn't help but fall for. He was smart, unique, could sing, sporty, and super sweet. We will call him Ryan. I finally gained up the courage and decided to ask Ryan on a date. Look at me, being all "modern" and what not. We went for coffee one morning at a nearby cafe on a Saturday morning, where we started to discuss how we "felt" about certain things in the world. He was a bit of a hippie, and I'll admit to you all now, I'm a bit of a hippie myself, but what is known as a "modernized hippie". The discussion was a bit interesting and I was willing to speak my personal opinion on certain topics, such as tiny houses, politics, extinct animals, and a topic that I didn't see coming. Poop. I don't mean the infamous emoji, I mean the stuff that happens at the end of your digestive tract. Regardless, it shouldn't be considered a discussion worthy topic, but apparently to Ryan it was. He started to talk about how we as humans don't poop enough and how he wants to start a revolution to freely talk about out poop just as we would clothing. He even wanted to create a "kickstart" campaign for his "poop shirt" business. The shirts said "Let's seriously talk about our poop". On the back, he wanted pictures of poop in different "forms". Not cartoon drawings, REAL pictures. I decided to try and politely create some sort of excuse to get the heck out of the coffee shop, where everyone within ear shot of us was starting to mumble about the "disgusting discussion". After not being able to interrupt his speed talk due to him speaking up every time I tried to say anything, a lady with her giggling daughter stood up, walked to the barista, made a comment that was most likely referring to us as she pointed our way, and made a very disturbed face. A moment later, as expected, the barista named Emily made her way to our table and asked if we could stop talking loudly about "inappropriate things, because it was disruptive to others" or we could excuse ourselves quietly. Ryan was livid. He stood up and screamed "we can't be ashamed of poop! It's a natural movement within our bodies that needs to be freely talked about in order to keep us from bursting our intestines! If we don't take a stand now, we will all die from impacted poop!" I shuttered in fear and turned beat red, but while he was on his rampage I snuck out the door and drove away, continuing to avoid him at all costs while at school.   

Found on Pinterest HERE

And there you have it. Three completely failed dates. Now you know why I don't feel like dating anytime soon. Being that I'm almost 25, I think dedicating all my time to motherhood, and work, is well worth it. Maybe when I'm older I'll have a better tolerance to all the disasters that may follow. I see myself as a majestic rarity that holds higher standards than any of the men mentioned above. So for now, it's me and my young padawan. Just the way we like it!

What are some of your disaster dates? 

Our favorite PEANUT FREE eateries and dessert!

Every once in a while, my son and I decide to go out for a scrumptious morsel, but we have to be extra careful with our choices as my son has a severe peanut allergy. Now, there are some kids a little more extensive than my son with their allergy. So to clarify my son can not directly eat peanuts, peanut sauce, peanut butter or anything with peanuts, period. Also, my son can't touch them, smell them, or have secondary contact with peanuts, i.e. someone eats peanut butter then gives him a kiss on the cheek. If he gets secondary contact, my son will get hives rather quickly. When it comes to certain foods made near/around peanuts, we can semi-test his reaction by simply having it touch the back of his hand. If he swells, it's a no, but if he doesn't swell, he's good to go. Luckily, the hives stay localized when a peanut product touches a particular part of his skin and disappear after a while. Some are not so lucky and we are greatly blessed that he hasn't ingested any products, otherwise he would end up straight in the hospital. Breathing peanut dust is a huge no-no, because he starts to cough and wheeze. 

Since we've dealt with his allergy since early long (again, very blessed to have learned so soon - 6 months old), we've found a few delicious eats that my son can devour in peace. Our favorite used to be Hometown Buffet, but the one near our house sadly went out of business. We don't go to others only because the particular Hometown near our place was 100% peanut free. That is not the deal with ALL Hometown's, so if you are interested in a buffet near you, you should call ahead of time. 

 

Due to our beloved buffet being shut down, our secondary love has been bumped to first place. The eatery of choice? Sarku Japan. The dish? Chicken teriyaki with vegetables, rice, and double meat. You may or may not have seen this Japanese "restaurant" in your local mall's food court and you may or may not have eaten before. If you haven't, I HIGHLY suggest it. I can honestly say that I have never found another place to enjoy chicken teriyaki as much as I do at Sarku Japan. They have ZERO peanuts, fresh delicious sushi, beef, shrimp, noodles, tempura, and a vegetarian option! Not to mention, the food comes in a "to-go" container, which means you can easily take it home to eat. Be sure to add Sriracha to your plate for an added flavor burst, although it's still perfect by itself. 

Yes, this may seem like a "stupid" post to some, but I can not even begin to tell you how terrifying it was trying to find a place for my son to eat at the mall without panicking about peanuts. So for others, this could be an excellent tip. The food isn't unhealthy, granted it isn't pure vegetables and organic everything, but it's way better than a slice of pizza or corn-dog. We always eat our chicken teriyaki with either Gatorade or water. Sometimes I sneak a coke, but that's really rare. I've been trying to steer clear from sodas for personal health reasons. Also, the sushi at Sarku Japan is absolutely amazing. Some of thee best sushi I've EVER had. My son also loves the sushi there! We stick to either the California rolls or the avocado cucumber roll, because we aren't the most adventurous raw fish eaters, but I'm sure the other rolls are just as fresh. 

Another option we enjoy is Lazy Dog. Be warned though, they DO have peanuts in the restaurant. We always make sure to be completely forth coming about my son's allergy and they do an excellent job in cautiously avoiding any possible cross contamination. We stick to burgers as they are not only the best burgers we've ever had, but the burgers are also an item with the least risk of peanut cross contamination. I always choose a Baja California burger. It is a charbroiled half-pound patty, topped with guacamole, chiles, jack cheese, jalapeno-lime aioli, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onions on a brioche-style bun. Every person I've every taken there raves about this specific burger. My son opts for the cheeseburger with ketchup and mustard only. He's a finicky eater, so he often sticks with what he knows. The meat itself though is just plain amazing. The side we almost always decide on, are cajun french fries. Order them. You're welcome. An added option for kids, is edamame, which my son absolutely loves. Not to mention, the atmosphere is extremely inviting. It can be a little noisy inside, but outside it's quiet and peaceful. You even have the option to dine around a nicely lit fire pit. It is indeed dog themed and people DO dine with their dogs, but only OUTSIDE. 

For dessert, we buy ice cream and these AMAZING "YOGO" brownies from Smart and Final. The huge pack comes with quite a few individually packaged brownies, for $7.99. These particular brownies are made with Greek yogurt, topped with cream cheese, from a facility that is completely nut/peanut free! You have no idea what you're missing if you haven't tried them. They are perfect for parties, a small dessert after dinner, and for your secret snack drawer that allows you to eat chocolate when the kids are asleep during your Netflix binge. (Check out THIS blog post to see what I recommend to binge watch!)

We have a certain set of taste buds that have a constant craving for good meat. Which is why both our options are filled with chicken and beef. As previously mentioned, Sarku Japan does have a vegetarian option. As for Lazy Dog, I'm not completely sure. I would be sure to call ahead as well. If you do have a Hometown Buffet close to you, I would research their reviews and call ahead of time to learn about their "peanut policy". Some Hometown's are better than others. Trust me, I've tested this theory across the United States. 

What are some of your favorite peanut free restaurants, eateries, and desserts?

National Puppy Day: An open letter to my best friend. "The day I lost you."

My Kerena,

I still remember seeing your beautiful self for the first time behind the chain-link gate. You're rambunctious personality drew me to you. When they brought you to the "meeting" area, you showered me with gentle love and kisses. You made me feel like an invincible little girl. You and me Kerena. 

After we adopted you, I went home and built your dog house. I was so proud of it and seeing you sleep soundly inside made me smile so bright. Having you made my life peaceful. As we grew together, you taught me so much. Bravery, love, compassion, patience, and how to just be myself. You always made an effort to cheer me up, even if you yourself were tired and hungry. You always chose to cuddle me, instead of eat your food I had just put in the bowl, when I was sad. You loved to dance and hug. Some were annoyed by the "jumping" on them, but not me. I adored your love and all it's many forms. I never felt weird, out of place, ignored, or unwanted. You never let me down.

You were always up for a run around the block and you knew our path so well, that when you "ran away", you ended up just walking the same path we took. You came home happily and I could feel your excitement. You HATED water. Bath time you could handle to an extent, but you'd rather be dry and relaxing. You were never fond of anything or anyone coming remotely close to the house. You even had distinct barks for visitors, compared to the "YOU'RE HOME" bark/howl my father and I were greeted with every day. You made me so proud. You were the best dog I could have ever asked for. 

I miss you.

I miss all your fur that changed my blue sheets to black. I miss feeling safe with you around. I miss your smile and kisses. I miss your smell and hugs. I miss dancing with you and feeding you the ham bone on Easter. Oh how you loved that bone. I miss giving you presents to open every Christmas. I miss playing with you and and tucking you in with your favorite blanket. I miss the way you would try to howl when I "practiced" talking to you. I miss how happy you were to watch me swim from a distance, as to not get wet yourself. I miss how you would sleep so quietly. I miss your free spirit and how adventurous you were. I miss how confused you'd look when you saw my hamster or turtles. Almost as to say, "How am I supposed to play with that?!" I miss how warm you were next to me during those cold stormy nights. I miss how the only cat you could tolerate was Mason. Trust me, he was more terrified of you, but I think in some weird way, you both had an understanding. I miss how you would defend my father and I, even if it was just from a bird. I miss how during our walks, you would try to "hunt" in the bushes for tiny animals. I was always afraid you'd find one, but you weren't. I miss how gentle and kind you were. I miss how strong we were together. 

I remember the night I lost you vividly. I had just gotten home from school and it was just you and me. My father was away at business and I had you all to myself. Oh the excitement pulsating through my body. I fed you, walked you, played with you, and started to relax with you. Then you made the blood curdling moan at 3am that will forever haunt me. You were clearly telling me that something was wrong. I didn't know if you had eaten too quickly, had gas, or what. I brought you into my room to comfort you. I didn't know what to do, but I knew that I wasn't going to sleep. I was going to take you to the vet 7am sharp. After a little bit of time, you laid down next to me and stopped moaning. You looked at me exhausted and fell asleep, kissing me as to say, "It's ok." Maybe I was just so tired and not thinking straight, but I fell asleep next to you at 4am. Roughly thirty minutes passed and I awoke with a jolt. I wanted to continue watching you and the time. I rolled over to watch you, but it was too late. You were gone. 

I don't know if I was just too naive, as I should've tried to get you to a hospital some way. I don't know if I could have done anything, but it didn't matter. You were gone. You were no longer of sound, body, nor mind. You looked just as you did the first night you slept in your dog house. That was the moment I could physically feel my heart shatter. The moment I knew what it was like to lose someone so deeply loved and treasured. Someone I respected, honored, adored, and cherished. To some you were a dog, but to me you were my everything. My dance partner, my pillow and blanket. My best friend.

I wept and mourned for years and to be quite honest, I still do. You were my family and I never imagined losing you. I knew some day it would come, but I figured I had a good couple of years left. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

As I've gotten older, I've never stopped talking to you. I imagine you running around the clouds, dancing with Frank Sinatra. Our favorite. I can see you chewing all the ham bones you could possibly imagine, with zero baths in your future. I hope you have a favorite blanket up there and I pray that the angels tuck you in just right. For I know that when you watch over me, you will forever remain the way I remember you most. Peaceful. 

Looking forward to hugging you again someday,

Your best friend.

Netflix shows you should be binge watching!

For any thrifty person willing to "splurge" on a Netflix subscription, you often begin to indulge in the art of binge watching. For those of you not in the "loop", binge watching is simply when you find a series/show on Netflix, and watch all the episodes in a "short" period of time, depending on how many episodes there are. For example, I watched the infamous Orange Is The New Black (OITNB) series in a matter of a couple days. Not because I didn't have anything better to do, but because it's a show truly worth watching and I chose it over sleep. It may not be the "healthiest' approach, but I'm being completely honest with you. Plus, I know I'm not alone.

Now, for those of you who are new or just simply haven't realized, I'm a bit into "lists". I rather enjoy the simplicity of creating a semi detailed list that outlines what the post is truly about. Granted I do "babble" around said list, but it's a blog about everything. Not a "let's create endless lists" blog. No offense to those blogs out there that strictly do lists. More power to you! Any who, I've decided to create yet another list, but this time using the beautiful Netflix as my topic. Warning, I have a wide variety of "likes" and I am a bit all over the place when it comes to my shows, but I thought I'd let you guys know the array of them nonetheless. 

For OITNB lovers - Wentworth: If you're like the many MANY watchers of the Emmy award winning show, you've grown to love Piper's crazy prison life along with the dramatic scenes and stories shown through the other main characters. Well have no fear, I have a solution for your OITNB blues. While it does "suck" that you don't get your weekly dose of prison like the "normal" shows on TV, because let's be real, you can never JUST watch one episode. So, if you're looking for a secondary prison love, check out the Australian drama series Wentworth! It's a series based around Bea Smith and her life in prison, while her daughter and ex-husband are living on the outside. I will say it's bit more..."gore filled", but I've read from others online, it's much more realistic. I don't know if that makes it more interesting or "gorey". You will get a "background" story setting for each character, just as you do in OITNB and you may or may not find a few similarities, but I think you will surely enjoy it. Season 4 is coming out soon (2016)! For those of you NOT in Australia, you can enjoy all seasons of Wentworth - not released on Netflix in the USA quite yet - on dailymotion.com. You can either Google search "Dailymotion Wentworth" and be greeted with the episodes you wish to watch or simply go to their website and search.

For kids or Scooby Doo lovers - Mystery's Incorporated: Like I said, I like a wide array of shows and that includes cartoons. As a child and adult, I've always loved Scooby Doo. There have been a few "series" that were total flops in my eyes, but recently my son and I discovered Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated. We binge watched the seasons together, that's how much we enjoyed it. It basically revolves around the past "detective" groups throughout the history of the "gangs" town, Crystal Cove. They find out that their is much more to the "hauntings" of Crystal Cove than initially thought. With it's twists and turns, I think you'll get hooked. Also, there is absolutely no shame in liking a child's show. Hell, I watch the limited Barbie series as well. Problem? I think not!

For the 'British comedy sitcom' lovers - Cuckoo: Love Andy Samberg and Taylor Lautner? Interested in what happens when a British daughter falls in love and marries a "hippie" while she's in Thailand? Wanna know what happens when the insatiable duo move into their parents home? Or are you curious on how a "hippie" and a father who is FAR from loving to his new son-in-law, get along under one roof? Do you like laughing? Then check out Netflix's hidden gem, Cuckoo! Yes, I just gave you the run down of with questions, while sounding like an infomercial, but seriously...why aren't you watching this! It's a show initially aired on BBC three, but trust me you'll love this show while devouring the secret chocolate bar you've hidden from the kids, late at night in your PJ's during your downtime. What, just me? All well, you'll still love it. Just a fair warning, you may not want the show to play within earshot of children. 

For 'mole woman/cult' aficionado's - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Holy crap guys, I can't tell you how hilarious this show was for me. It's revolving a 29 year old woman who has to adjust to life in the real world, after being held 'captive' in a "cult" held underground, by a man named Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne. (Say that 10 times fast.) She moves to New York where she becomes a "nanny" of sorts, to a wealthy (and out-of-touch) socialite. She also gets a roommate with a "struggling Broadway star" named Titus Andromedon, who lives in a "shotty" apartment owned by a street-wise landlady. Who also becomes one of Kimmy's new found friends. The actor playing  the struggling Broadway star, Titus? Tituss Burgess. Why is that funny and relevant you ask? Tituss Burgess is an actor and singer, performing in 4 Broadway musicals. THAT'S why...hehe. Season 2 comes out April 15, 2016!

And there you have it. Yet, another list of things I love, because it just makes life easier. I thoroughly enjoy these blogs and I can't WAIT for each of these shows next seasons! Except for Scooby Doo. Unfortunately it's been discontinued, which is a bit of a bummer. BUT, once you finish that series, you can begin watching Be Cool, Scooby Doo, which is the sequel to Mystery's Incorporated. Don't worry though, they did a good job of ending it appropriately, allowing for the sequel to make complete sense. 

I hope this gave you something to do while you're waiting for one of your other beloved series to return. You may go through them just as fast, but at least you can add them to your personal binge list! If you do end up watching any of the shows I've mentioned, I've love your feedback! Just leave a comment or contact me using one of the "links" on my blog page! Also, don't forget to subscribe by email using my new "gadget" I recently installed! It allows you to be notified once a day, when I post a new article THAT day!

What other Netflix shows do you recommend?

Organization secrets: Kid edition!

I'm am known for my organizational and cleaning skills. I can create space out of nothing...or so I've been told. I have had friends and family contact me to help with them with rearranging and/or helping them de-clutter. Do I mind? Absolutely not! I LOVE organizing and cleaning! It's therapeutic for me. So when I had a child I was ecstatic, because I knew that with all the clothes, toys, and extras that would soon overtake my household, I would have to opportunity to organize EVERYTHING! 

I will admit, when it comes to my home, I'm a bit picky. I arrange and rearrange to get the specific "feel" I think a space needs. I know I've gotten the perfect layout when I can kick my feet up and not think about it, otherwise it's always on my mind. Now that I've finally accomplished that goal, I though I'd share some of my favorite ways to organize kids stuff! Out of all the places in my home, my son's room was the first to get finished. I was determined to fit his bed, clothes, shoe, toys, a play kitchen, books, stuffed animals, a rug, Legos, musical instruments, and his pet hermit crab into the room, while still ending up with space to actually play. 

I knew it was going to be tough and that made it all the more interesting. The first thing I did was create a "design" in my head on how I wanted his room to more or less look. I also knew that if I was going to tackle this, I was going to have to get a toy storage. Where is the first place I went to? That's right, IKEA! I found a 6 cubby bookshelf and six blue bins to fit. It was normally meant to stand up right, but I turned it on it's side to create a toy storage "bench". This not only allowed me to categorize my son's toys into separate bins - even though they end up disarray after a day - I was also able to provide a great "play table" for my son. The top of his sideways organizer, works perfectly for Lego's, Playdoh, drawing, painting, mini villages, and of course racing. At the end of the day, you can put the BIG toys on top for storage. All in all, it's by far my favorite buy. 

Another organizing tip is regarding clothing. I used to fold everything flat in stacks, like most of us do. Alas, there is another way! Fold the clothes and place in the drawers SIDEWAYS! (I've provided a picture for reference.) Trust me, you will be able to fit 3 times the amount of stuff you were able to before! Plus, it gives easy access and allows you to see all the clothing items in the drawers. 

If your kids are as loving to every cute and cuddly stuffed animal that comes in their peripheral, you'll soon be dealt with an overwhelming amount of pretend fur. I don't like the idea of my son being covered at nighttime with his friends, so I've devised a plan. He's able to pick out a few specific stuffed animals he absolutely can't sleep without and then the animals he just uses for play, go into a giant zipped elephant. Ikea sells these toys called "Air Element". It's basically a solid "balloon" type material, where you fill it up with air, then cover the "balloon" with one of the animal themed covers they sell separately. My son got a "circus" themed tent for a past birthday, so in keeping with the theme, I purchased an "Air Element" circus elephant cover, without purchasing the balloon. Instead of making a bouncy toy, I filled it with the extra stuffed animals that seem to cover the entire room, creating an almost "bean bag" like chair. My son absolutely loves it and uses it as a place to do Look and Find's and ISpy's. 

For my son's shoes, I found these 3 bins for recycling. They can be hung on the wall, stacked tall, or placed side-ways. I use two for myself - one for socks and one for shoes - and one for my son, which is amazing for his shoes. He's now able to put his own shoes away, grab the pairs he needs for the day, and not be thrown about. 

My last big tip would have to be concerning kids books. We are a bit of a bookworm family duo and I've saved quite a few of my old books, so when it came to building my son's book collection, I had to figure out how to display them with easy access for him. I found a short tv stand/nightstand, with 6 cubbyholes. It turned out to be absolutely perfect, because not only was it sturdy and short (avoiding anything toppling over), but it held every single one of his books with room to spare! It allows him to go through and easily see what he has in his "mini bookstore" as he calls it. I truly feel like displaying his books has allowed him to be consciously involved with reading. Gotta start them young!

Hopefully these little tips will help you keep the pile of toys from overtaking your child's room, inevitably creating a mountain climber out of your little one. I certainly don't want a daredevil on my hands. 

What are some of your favorite organization tips?