Sick Six Year Old.

Tonight I'll be up all night watching my little guy sleep on the couch - coolest place in the house during our current extreme heat wave. Unfortunately he's caught a little something, but I think the extreme heat is only making it worse. So I've given him a little pain reliever for his sore throat, applied a bunch of vicks to his chest and feet, then gave him loads of ice water to stay cool on the inside.

Poor little guy. The heat always wears me down too. Luckily tomorrow is supposed to be the last day of this heat way - fingers crossed - so perhaps he will start to feel better starting Wednesday.


Here's to hoping my Padawan gets better soon.

Food Feature Friday #52: Sonic Fail.

I've always loved Sonics. It's one of my favorite fast food places. Their food and slushies are delicious. But today they failed me.

First off, the "manager" refused to accept my coupon, which came from THEIR app, and then she refused to give me a full refund after calling my request "a weird thing to ask". I was so upset I REALLY had no want to eat or drink anything, but apparently I was stuck with it. Which ended up being 'alright' except that my identical slushies, definitely weren't identical.


You can see the clear difference in color from my two slushies which were supposed to both be watermelon with green apple and Jolly Ranchers. One was too much watermelon, one was too much apple. I ended up mixing them together to get the flavor I'd hoped for.


I don't play this as a complete fail from Sonics, but I do think they need to reconsider their managers at the specific location I was at. Honestly, I don't even think she was truly a manager, but I don't know for sure.

Spa Day For Momma!

Previously this week I had talked about having a much needed "mommy day" which I finally had. Nothing fancy, but definitely relaxing.


While my Padawan was off at school, I finally decided to do something for myself. So in an effort to take care of "me", I drew myself a nice warm bath with some Frank Sinatra blaring through the home. As I sipped on my iced tea, I decided to apply a new face mask I had recently purchase from Target.


So I used my makeup remover cloth and favorite facial scrub, prior to applying the thick yet creamy mask.


At Target they have a selection of "Que Bella Professional" masks with all sorts of benefits. Some for acne, some for detoxing, and some - like the one I chose - repairing. I've used and talked about another one of their masks, which you can see HERE.


The repairing mask I specifically chose is for troublesome skin and is a charcoal mud mask. My main reasoning behind choosing this mask is because charcoal has been infamously known to pull out toxins and clear out pores from sensitive skin, while creating a glowing-like complexion of cleanliness. Personally I want to make my own charcoal mask, but for only $2 I bought myself one of these and called it a day.

The mask doesn't necessarily have a strong scent, other than that of the classic mud mask. The sensation however can be a tad overbearing in ways that some may not enjoy. It's close to a tingling sensation with an extremely cold feeling, but after a few moments it's no longer feels like anything.

When time was up, I used a warm washcloth and carefully washed my face. Afterwards I felt like my skin was tighter, brighter, and definitely cleaner.


I'll still be doing a DIY charcoal mask - stay tuned for that review - but for the moment it was soothing.


I've used these masks for a while and I've never had a bad reaction - knock on wood - nor have I had a breakout from these. Which is hard to find, because my skin is extremely delicate and picky.


In need of pampering and maybe a fresh face? I highly recommend checking out the beauty aisle in Target.

A Dupe For A Dupe???

I've often made it clear that I struggle with acne and beyond sensitive skin. It's also very apparent that I'd rather not "splurge" necessarily, so budget friendly products give me a special type of joy.

In the past I talked about my budget friendly face-cleansing products - see HERE. Today I'm focusing on my face scrub, which is already cheap. When I stopped by Walmart earlier this morning I came across their version of  St. Ives Apricot Scrub that was only going for $1.79. In hopes that I found a second alternative that [hopefully] wouldn't agitate my acne, I decided to go ahead and take the challenge.

First off I'd like to say that I won't be able to give a definitive review, because I need to wait a few days to see how my skin fully reacts, but I may not need that long to decide whether or not I'll repurchase this Walmart product.


My initial review is that I can't stand the smell. It reminds me of old, cheap oatmeal that has zero flavor. The texture is practically identical and my face does feel practically the same after, but I 100% prefer Target's Up & Up brand.


Smell shouldn't be the reason you necessarily base your entire opinion on for products like this, but in this case I just can't stand the smell.


I was hoping to have a secondary product I could easily fall back on just in case Target was sold out or out of reach, but I think I'd much rather stock up than ever go back to this brand. In case you're wondering, I'll be returning this immediately and purchasing my ol' friend at Target with the money I'll be getting back.


Perhaps I'm too picky. Perhaps I'm not open minded. Or perhaps I simply don't like washing my face with something that makes me think of spoiled oats.


I would like to add that I'll be doing a few skin care and makeup reviews pretty soon, as I've missed doing my beauty routines. Personally I think some self love is in order for this momma, so I intend on doing just that! Perhaps this weekend I'll create a spa day here at home, resembling the one I had done before...with a few minor tweaks.

Break Time.

Ugh. I feel so unbelievably exhausted.

Today I finished three loads of laundry, vacuumed the entire house, rearranged my bedroom furniture, cleaned the bathroom and kitchen, did a few errands, then took Micah to his first real kids party.


I did do a little more work on my hutch, but nothing significant.


My legs hurt from standing, my back hurts from cleaning, and my head hurts from the lack of food I ate today. So while I love you Jedi's and I wanted to give you guys a little better play by play, I don't have it in me.


I'm going to relax and call it a day with a batch of egg rolls dipped in Sweet and Sour sauce. Goodnight to you all and keep on rockin'!

Sanding My Fingers To The Bone.

Last week I solved my first mystery surrounding a piece of stolen furniture. My furniture. Now that it's back safe and sound, I've gotten down to fixing up my new hutch.


Still undecided on whether or not to sell or keep.


First step was to get rid of the old shutters. The hardware isn't too bad - although I had to replace all the screws in the actual hutch for safety reasons - so I set them aside to be reused. Next I cleaned it up and started to sand down all the wood.


I'd like to say now that while it doesn't look like much of a progress from when I first started, but trust me I've gotten quite a bit done.

I had started chipping away at the paint and sanding down the table top, but quickly realized that the very old paint had seeped into the depths of the wood, requiring really strong sand paper. I did attempt using stripper, but it only left me with more work and a smell I couldn't get out of my nostrils.

After a quick trip to Home Depot, I picked up a 4 pack of 60 Coarse sanding sheets and a 4 pack of 120 sanding sheets. The first to really get the paint off and the second to smooth out any rough patches (making staining or painting inevitably easier).


Once I came home I sanded down the tabletop again, the sides, the middle shelf, and the back. I also got underneath and all around the crease. I'm hoping to finish the top portion tomorrow, stain the pieces, then try to get the new back pieces stained. This will allow me to paint the remaining areas I want to color on the top half and finish it all together.


Lastly I'll rebuild frames to the bottom doors, refinish the hardware, stain the drawer face and the doors, stain the new back, and then paint everything else. This will be the finally.


I've been looking up numerous types of cabinet finishes and finally have a good idea on what I want to accomplish. Don't worry, as soon as I do finish I'll share the masterpiece!

Food Feature Friday #51: The Mystery Has Been Solved?!

Recently I conquered a quest I believed unconquerable, because I truly thought it was just a mere myth. But alas, it t'was real and I had found the treasure!

Ok enough of that.


Earlier this week I was at Target, when I noticed a box of Oreo's with white packaging. The reason this is significant to me, is because a few months back I had heard a "rumor" that Nabisco was going to release a "mystery Oreo". Nothing more had been said about the mysterious Oreo, so I shrugged off ever trying them. In fact, I began to think it was a hoax and I had fallen for it, but there they were at the checkout stand.


The entire gimmick is that if you can guess the flavor of the mystery Oreo and enter in your guess into their contest (using one of the ways supplied on the back of the package), you'll be eligible to win up to $50,000.


I love a challenge so we took a box home and have my own opinions!


SPOILER ALERT.


I've heard a few different theories about what people thought the flavor resembled. From lemon to blueberry muffins, everyone seems to have some fruity idea as to what might be between the two chocolate cookies. I for one agree on the fruity concept, but in a different way. A more cereal way.


Once I tasted the newest cookie to hit the shelves, it immediately gave me "Fruity Pebbles" vibes. Only thing is, I can't tell if it's Fruity Pebbles or the milk after you've eaten a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.


Granted this might give you guys a heads up on the flavor, but perhaps it's a valid warning. Some - probably most - will be even more tempted to these while others may want to avoid altogether. Personally I'm not a huge fan and really hope that this won't be a forever flavor.


What do you guys think? Have you tried them and what do you think? Do you want to try them or will you? Let me know in the comments down below!

I Put My Nancy Drew Skills To Work!

Today I was incredibly close to loosing my cool altogether.

It started like a regular day. I woke up with my Padawan and we got him ready for school. As we drive pulling out, I noticed a really pretty hutch that I've seen worth anywhere from $200 to $900 online, sitting near the trash. I hadn't decided on whether not I liked it for profit or as my own.


With no time, I pulled it to what I thought was a safe temporary spot with a note on it.


I came back to find my precious new hutch was missing. I looked and looked with high hopes, but nothing. Then I got the idea to check the storage locker, but no to avail. Last resort was checking the laundry room which it totally random and pointle- there it was.


Someone had taken my precious cabinet to the laundry room to hide. Well, I moved it to the storage and put a big note on it with my apartment number on it. I went on with my day and even got a manicure with my mom. Then I got to my apartment and found that the storage unit had been compromised. My hutch was gone.


I went into full blown detective mode, looking for any clue as to where it may be. I asked every neighbor and questioned facts that I was given. In the end I had to wait ti'll about 5pm to ask the last neighbor. Well guess who "accidentally" took my hutch, folded the sign, and supposedly was going to leave me a note that they had my hutch.

Utterly confused on how someone could "accidentally" take someone else's furniture, I politely asked for it back and they cautiously obliged. They were more or less polite, but that was mostly due to obvious guilt.


Now that my newest upcycling project is back, I started getting a jump on it by removing the hardware, stripping down some paint, cleaning it up, and sanding it down. It's nowhere near finished, but it's that much closer!


I'm super excited and can't wait to see how it turns out!


Also, for those following my previous post where I explained my purchases from Goodwill that I intended on flipping (see HERE), I already sold one item - the deep fryer - for more than double. Which paid for both products AND some. The second item is still for sale, but I have a few people interested!

2 Guilty Pleasures That I'm Not Ashamed Of!

Found HERE

Being a mother I've made many sacrifices. Some took longer than others to stop - like going out to eat whenever I felt like it just because I'm a foodie and tend to overindulge - but nonetheless I have given them up. That's not to say I regret it at all, because I'm in love with being a momma. I'm simply saying that it's a lot of work to be a mom.

Luckily however I decided to keep a few guilty pleasures to keep my sanity. After all, if I can't take care of myself then I can't take care of my little guy properly, which is all that matters.


I truly feel it's important to keep a few things for yourself - i.e. no kids included - to help you remain an adult. For me I'm constantly talking to a child and since my anxiety is so bad I loathe the idea of adult conversation (unless I'm really close to you), I find it necessary to do certain things for me to remain sane and "adult-like".


To show you all how I celebrate me in mini ways, I thought I'd share with you guys my 2 guilty pleasures in sequential order from greatest to least.


1. Eating containers of cold Nutella before bed.
Ok this is particularly bad for many reasons - for starters, you shouldn't eat right before bed - but I am absolutely guilty of it. I simply take cold Nutella from the fridge and carve it out like chocolate. It's beyond soothing for some odd reason I don't intend on talking about.


Continuing to have something that you wouldn't let your kids eat, is a natural part of being a parent. My Padawan has had

2. Window shopping for nostalgic 90's items online.
I love the 90's. I love how outfits for simplistically awesome, how our TV shows were actually cartoons and freaking hilarious, how technology didn't outsmart humans...as much, and how childhood was just that. A childhood.


Pause. I'm not saying that kids don't have a childhood now, I'm just saying that we are so much more concerned about our kids because society has become a bit more chaotic. When I was a kid you could walk around your apartment complex to your friends house without worry of something bad happening. Obviously horror has always existed, but it seems much worse now.


One of my favorite finds so far is a Reptar backpack from the hit show "Rugrats". I've been dying for it and honestly, I'm working hard to save up for it. It's awesome! And brings back so many memories of how freaking cool my childhood was.


By keeping what I truly admire close to me, even if I'm not necessarily buying anything, I feel like I'm sticking true to who I am. Not someone who's afraid to move from the past, but someone who likes what she likes, and I like old things. From late vintage to the 90's, I genuinely adore it all. Plus, the holiday's are coming soon and I need to make a suitable list for what I hope Santa will give me this year. Even if it's just one item. Or perhaps I'll just buy it for myself.


Having guilty pleasures doesn't mean you have to regret enjoying them. We need to have private things that we can act like ourselves with. So if you're eating a gallon of Nutella or binge watching silent movies, you deserve to enjoy some things for yourself.

Goodwill Flip on a Dime!

I just had to share this awesomeness with you guys! Today I went to Goodwill just to window shop - which is incredibly hard for me at my all-time favorite store ever - but I ended up making two purchases that I'm currently in the process of flipping.

During my scavenger hunt I found a Fagor 1800 Watt Portable Induction Cooktop which retails for over $120 (with a suggested price of over $200). How much was it marked for? $15! Best part? It is brand new!!!


Honestly I almost decided to keep this one for myself, in preparation for my future Tiny House (which I still plan on!!!). I will need an induction stove top [most likely] but perhaps at that time I won't be into this one. Who knows, but I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to try hard and flip it (which I could easily eat $40 to $50 dollars for) and if I don't, it belongs in my Tiny House.


Next up I found a Cabela's Double Deep Fryer (perfect for fish and chips) which retails for over $90, only going for $20! Again, it is Brand New!!!


Perhaps someone was gifted a bunch of household appliances and didn't want them? One man's trash is another man's treasure, that's for sure! Again I almost kept this one for myself, because I'd love to deep fry my own good's, but I know that I could potentially create my own "deep fryer" with my oversized soup pot. Not nearly as cool, but still excited because I already have a few people offering $40 and up!


Just goes to show that your trip to Goodwill could easily turn into a trip to the bank.

Halloween And Christmas All In One.

It's Monday once again and I decided to take a "chill" day after cleaning up the house this past weekend.

After dropping off my little guy, I decided to wait for Target's doors to open and check out the infamous money pit before the masses came barging in - which apparently is around 12. Honestly I only intended on browsing around the holiday aisle and the dollar section. Which is exactly what I did, except I found something so much more! Well, to me.


A few months back I got word that Oreo would be releasing a mystery flavored Oreo packaged in a white wrapping. Ever since then I had been on the lookout for the release to no avail, until today.

First off can I just say that while I'm an avid supporter of decorating early for Christmas time, I felt it was a bit premature to put out Christmas cookies prior to even celebrating Halloween. And that's coming from someone who literally decorates November 1st at midnight for the blessed day.

As for the Halloween décor, while I do like that the decorations seem a bit more toned down on the scare factor from last year - some were just down right sadistic - I still felt some were a bit "too much". Although I know that Halloween is the holiday for spooky and dark. I don't discourage Halloween, in fact I decorated October 1st, I'm just not a fan of the "darkness" that ensues. I mean, Addams Family is my movie and I religiously re-watch them over and over again, but the decorations these days are overwhelmingly bad.

Back to the good stuff.

As I was walking out I noticed a bright white package gleaming at me as to have a beautiful glow around it, singing like a siren in the sea. It was the prize to my conquest I had been diligently trying to complete, the gold at the end of the rainbow, the dessert at the end of a 5 star meal. The mystery Oreo's!

I don't want to give too much away, because it's going to be this week's Food Feature Friday! Sort of. Well, you'll see.

All I'm going to say is this: These Oreo's are part of a new promotion from Nabisco where you purchase a box of their well-known cookies and try to guess the flavor they've created. If you have a guess, you're then given multiple ways to enter your guess to Nabisco for a chance to win up to $50,000. Not too bad if you only have to buy one box of Oreo's!

I feel this is an ingenious way for them to gather new ideas for future recipes. You see, you're not given multiple choice to guess the flavor, you have to literally write in the flavor. This allows Nabisco to gather fresh ideas from the nation (world?) and potentially create a whole line of new flavors. It's utterly clever if you ask me, even though it's a small rip off if any of our "guesses" are actually used, but it didn't halt me from buying my own package and making my own guess.

What's my guess? I shall not yet.

Have you guys seen this new foodie detective item? Have you tried it? I won't ask your guess, but I will ask if you're "yay" or "nay" about the entire cookie/guessing game.

Food Feature Friday #50: Piping Made Easy!

Hello Jedi's! Today's Food Feature Friday is all about piping frosting.


I know it probably doesn't sound like an exciting topic, but you have no idea how difficult it can be to get a pretty design on a small cupcake for the first time. Personally, I would have rather had learned Mandarin than to have frosted anymore cupcakes with piping bags.

Found HERE

I had just about given up when I gave myself one last chance by browsing on ol' reliable AKA Pinterest. There I looked up easiest piping tip to use, which is when I came across the Wilton M1.

It's a simplistic tip that can create a multitude of frosting styles, but the best part is it's so versatile that even true beginners can use it with ease. Including a time-crunched busy mother.


From rose, to swirl, to a flower of sorts, this tip is a way to fancy up your beautiful creations no matter the occasion!


After finding out that this was supposedly the miracle tip, I decided to browse Walmart during a random outing and ended up finding it for less than $2!


After having a chance to test it out, I will say this: I love it. I haven't mastered every style, but I've used it as a swirl and a one tier "flower". The great thing is both made my cupcakes look somewhat professionally made! I couldn't believe that I - someone who has always struggled with frosting cupcakes with piping bags - could actually create a masterpiece!

Ok so I'm bragging a bit, when you've struggled with piping frosting, your first big success should be celebrated. As a mother I hardly get recognition for making it through the day with all my hair intact and clothed in anything other than sweats.


From now on I will be using this bad boy to decorate all my pastries and I'll share pics of any improvements that may or may not come!


What's your favorite hack/tip when it comes to decorating desserts? How about styling them? Got a favorite technique? :et me know in the comments below or on Instagram!

I'm Asleep.

I've fallen asleep sitting up twice already. That's how beyond tired I am.

I had been preparing all day, baking my pieces, setting up more practice runs, and trying to make tomorrow go as easy as possible. Thankfully I'm 99% done and I couldn't be happier. I do have 4 pieces left to create tomorrow, but that's not hard at all.


Initially I had planned to discuss a really neat tip regarding piping cupcakes, but I just can't focus. So please excuse me while I drift off into slumber land.


Don't worry, I have a new plan on how to stop these apologies for my blog!


Stay tuned for more informative posts and happier times. Keep on rockin' and may the force be with you all!

My Night of Preperation.

It's that time once again where I'm preparing for another event this weekend. This time however, I'm giving myself [practically] 3 days to get ready. Normally I give myself a day and a half, but I'm sick of stressing so I'm going to make this one smooth.

Luckily this crafting event if close by, so I won't have to worry about traveling too much, which in turn settles a tremendous amount of anxiety for me.


Yesterday I showed you a sneak peak into my newest "marketing" idea, helping my pieces to really "pop". How it will all turn out, I'm still unsure, but I'm hopeful that things will be awesome! Positive thinking right?


I took a break today from preparing to take my son to his little Kung Fu yellow sash test. I'm happy to announce that my little guy passed with flying colors and is happily a yellow sash!


With him tucked away in bed and slumbering away, I finished up a good portion of my items and even devised an idea on how to potentially downsize my display to a more suitable size. That will have to be laid out tomorrow, but the good news is I'll be ready to regardless.


I wish you all a wonderful night and I'll talk to you all tomorrow Jedi's! Keep on rockin' and may the force be with you all.

Exhaustive Preperations.

Today was filled with a whirlwind of emotions that I still don't quite understand. In light of it all, I still managed to pull together some preparation for an event I have this weekend.


I wasn't sure on how to properly display/price my pieces, but after some much needed pinning on Pinterest, I came to the conclusion I'd create my own "tags" for all the jewelry bits I make.


I simply measured out what a simple tag would look like, wrote the words on it, hole punched the top - potentially to hang from - and created the perfect "card" for my pieces. I also outlined the border with a gold pen, to help give it some contrast.


Honestly I feel like this has upped my game quite a bit, because before with the translucent "organizers", you couldn't really see each of the pieces individual qualities. Now that everything has it's own "set up", they can exude their wondrous beauty.


I for one truly am excited to have finally finished each tag, but now I'm struggling with how to properly display them. I thought about simply laying them on the table, but with a lot of foot traffic I worry about them getting..."misplaced" if you know what I mean.


Stolen. Stolen is what I mean.


Pinterest will probably have a few ideas for me, so I'll be laying in bed trying to come up with a plan to properly display them. Perhaps a wooden display with nails to hold them up? A picture frame?


Who knows. The only thing I know right now is that I'm going to rest and relax, because lord knows I need it.

Costco Scores And So Much More!

Today my mother and I decided to have a "mother-daughter" day at Costco - one of the greatest stores EVER. While browsing all the aisles, we found so many awesome finds and I just had to share with you guys. At least one, because the food items will be saved for this week's Food Feature Friday. Believe me, you don't want to miss it!


How many times have you gone out for errands, grabbed a couple cold food items from the grocery store, and then sped through any other store (or skipped out on them all together), because you're worried your perishables will indeed perish?


Granted you could probably just use a bulky cooler, but why not go in style AND have a reusable bag! Which is awesome, because here in San Diego we get charged for bags.


Near the laundry aisle, I spotted an oversized [almost] beach bag sized for only $6.99 - which I recall being $25 over the Summer. This bag however, is completely insulated, making it the perfect grocery bag. Plus it's super stylish with the option of black and white or cream colors.


Yes, I'm aware that it's the littlest things that entertain and make me happy. I'm completely content with this realization.


With so much excitement, my mom got us matching bags for our future 'cold food' purchases. Even leaving today, we were able to use our new bags!


This bag fits about 7 bulky sized items from Costco and 2+ bags worth of "regular sized" groceries. As far as material, it's a very sturdy bag with a simple material and a "leather" style zipper, helping to seal the entire bag closed. There's also a front pocket for your coupons, phone, wallet, keys, whatever you may need. Not your entire purse, but just the necessities.


I can foresee myself using this practically every time I go to the grocery store - I've even stored it in my backseat as to never forget it - and on road trips or adventures. Packing multiple lunch boxes and bags can be a little annoying, but with this beauty we can not only pack everything perishable, but also non-perishables!


These bags are durable and have an easily cleanable surface on the inside, so really you could use this bag for anything. Personally I'll stick to my groceries, but the versatility can't be beat. Especially for the excellent price of $7!

Food Feature Friday #49: DIY Rice Milk, Fail or Win.

Our family isn't necessarily anti-milk, but we don't drink milk at all. Not only is the flavor less than appealing to us, but we don't like the affects it has on our tummies (lactose intolerant). Soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk, simply didn't compare to our rice milk, hence why we only drink that.

As a DIY momma, I got the idea to make an attempt of making my very own rice milk. I did some research and looked up a few recipes on how to create this potential money saver, but I will give you an immediate spoiler: I failed.


I found one recipe that gave me these details:

Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 4 cups filtered water
- dash of salt
- 1 tbsp sweetner
- additional flavoring (vanilla, almond, etc.)


The basic directions were to cook the rice, blend it with the water and the other ingredients mentioned, strain the mixture, and then you'd have this magically mixture to end all future rice milk purchases.


I was utterly confused.

I understand that it's a homemade recipe and rice milk isn't necessarily thee most "flavorful" milk, but this recipe did not give me any hope. It was way too watery and not sweet AT ALL. After doctoring it a bit and doing what I could to alter the power of the flavor, and the sweetness, it still wasn't a good replacement for my Trader Joe's rice milk.

A tad bit disappointing but I am hopeful, so I'm opening this recipe up to anyone who can potentially offer a solution on how to BETTER re-create my milk. I will give each recipe a try (I have loads of milk) and give whichever one helps me, full credit here on this post (with shoutouts in later posts).

I'm really interested in making any and all products I can at home - it's the hippie in my - so if you can help a Jedi out, let me know!


Happy Friday everyone. Keep on rockin', stay safe, and may the force be with you all.

Manhunt: Unabomber, A Netflix Triumph To Appease My Inner Nancy Drew

Hello Jedi's! As you can see my internet has finally gotten fixed - not even really sure what was wrong, but apparently it's all ok now?

I sincerely think our network is being cyber attacked, despite the numerous attempts to block, encrypt, hide, and reset our router and wifi settings. How I'm going to figure it out, I'm not sure. We could also just be experiencing poor signal due to so many people being on a Cox server here.

This is all besides the point.

Netflix is an excellent source of late night entertainment and for me I tend to watch a wide variety of genre's, including detective styled shows. So when I came across the show "Manhunt", which showcases the Unabomber that terrorized the USA, I was more than excited to see an "inside scoop" of serial killer.

The whole series is mostly told through the eyes of one detective, who doesn't get nearly as much credit as he should, but there are also key moments in showing what made the Unabomber what he was. It also goes back and forth between past and "present", to show how they came to capture the infamous bomber after 17 years of terror.


Personally at first I got a little bit confused on the timeframes, because they do bounce around quite a bit, but I do like how they described the beginning, middle, and end. However, I do wish that they would have laid out the story a little bit more in sequential order. Perhaps from start to finish without skipping, but after the first 2 episodes, it starts to make sense on why they really told the story in that order.


I will say that the entire story line was told with ease and the intricacy was impeccable with how each and every detail was laid out. The process of finding out how the Unabomber was indeed the Unabomber, truly turned forensics on it's head.


All in all this series was enlightening, riveting, and interesting. Between helping us inquisitive beings dive into the mind of a very unique man, we saw numerous new beginnings in crime solving take place. We also saw how the real world can be a hold hard "B word".


With enough clues to really help you stake out how you could indeed capture someone with little evidence, while still proving without a doubt that they are the culprits, it definitely helps when coming to real life mysteries. Like who ate the last cupcake... Although that's not much of a mystery around here, as it's either my Padawan or I. If I didn't eat it, I immediately know who did and vice versa.


I don't want to give too many details out, to help keep the curiosity peaked in hopes that you'll truly watch the series, but I will say that I wholeheartedly recommend checking out "Manhunt: Unabomber" on Netflix. I also hope that maybe someday they will have a Season 2 of Manhunt, surrounding another true villain captured.

Internet Down, Again!

In the middle of my original post, apparently my internet decided to die on my laptop for some reason. I repeatedly tried to troubleshoot and reset the router, to no avail. I plan on posting this for acknowledgement that I did in fact intend on posting viable content for you guys (a review) and then shutting down my wifi for the night. If someone is trying to use my signal, it won't be available much longer.

New/Old Fridge.

It's no secret that this apartment isn't necessarily the greatest complex on Earth, but it's not the worst either.

With our own upgrades - like my mother purchasing a new carpet - and consistent cleaning on my end, it's turned out to be a fairly awesome safe haven for my Padawan and I. Unfortunately we've had to deal with numerous "issues" (i.e. termites, window replacement, etc.) and today was another for the books.


For the last few days (really years) we've dealt with an "off" fridge in many different ways. A while back it started with the back of the fridge simply causing frost on our food, but over the years it's become a full blown solid block of ice in the back. Not only that, the front started to actually "warm" our food. This was extremely concerning, seeing as how we had poultry I desperately didn't want to go bad.


I notified our company as soon as our water came out warm from inside the fridge (plus the center of the fridge was overflowed with water from the ice block slightly defrosting), with an almost immediate response.

A maintenance man came by to try and fix the problem, but it was quickly found that there was absolutely no fixing the fridge. Only option left was to get a replacement, so I waited for the call that my fridge had arrived.


It ended up being a 5 day delay, but thankfully today I finally got the call that our "new" fridge was 20 minutes away. So I quickly grabbed everything out of the freezer and fridge, to have the oversized ice chest removed.


Finally my "new" silver/black fridge arrived and the old white one was whisked away to spend his final days [probably] in some recycling pile.


The reason I keep quoting the word "new", is simply because while this fridge is new to me, it's not new in general. It's a used fridge that was most likely taken from a newer/old property or an extra fridge from the property management office. The "wear and tear" was quite visible, but in all honesty I wasn't going to worry too much because I finally had a working fridge.


Only thing worrying me now is the fact that the entire fridge tilts slightly backwards, but that's from them trying to offset the legs to stop the wobbling. Wonderful.


Hopefully it doesn't drip or cause more issues and it does suck a tad that I don't have an ice tray shelf anymore, but I'm trying to think positive. How long this particular appliance will hold up, who knows. Only time will tell.


I finally finished wiping down the inside and replacing all my perishables, winding down the night with admiring my new/old fridge. The kitchen itself is extremely outdated - supposedly illegal cabinetry, but that's for another topic during another day - but I can't complain when two of my three appliances have been replaced. Last one standing so far is the stove/oven. Question is, will it be another 10 years or 10 months? Not even sure I want to find out!


Happy taco Tuesday Jedi's. May it have been a splendid day filled with numerous memories. Much love and may the force be with you all.

Young Sheldon: Perfect Premiere or Complete Miss?

Happy Monday Jedi's! Today was the premiere of "Young Sheldon", a spin-off based around "Big Bang Theory's" Sheldon Cooper, which happens to be one of my favorite shows of all time.

I will say that this show has come in time to kill any worries I had about BBT ending soon. Of course I'll truly miss the entire cast if that were to happen, although the newest season just started today [as well], I was still worried about not getting enough Sheldon in the years to come. With BBT reportedly reaching closer and closer to the end of it's impactful run, "Young Sheldon" brings to life what we BBT fans have always wondered: What was Sheldon Cooper like as a child?


I for one had extremely high hopes for this show truly depicting the era in which young Sheldon truly would've grown up in, including seeing how his transitions would've taken place. Luckily the creators made this entire hope of mine come to light with excellence and ease. Also, the commentator is Jim Parsons (the actor who plays Sheldon Cooper on the BBT) which is pure perfection.

"Young Sheldon" 's debut circled around Sheldon's first day of high school and how it's drawn a bit of a fuss from the town in numerous ways, ultimately affecting everyone in his family. It also makes the entire show seem to really take place in the age of what Sheldon truly would've experienced, with the outdated school, old morals, and the outfits showcasing what life was like "back then". I for one REALLY loved this aspect, because I have a fascination with how life was like before 2k.


Without giving away too many details or any spoilers, I will say that with the first episode you'll be given loads of humor and laughable moments. You'll also be left saying "that's Sheldon Cooper alright".


Seeing the beginning of an iconic character is awe-inspiring and truly exciting. Like watching a superhero get it's start.


With a full recommendation from yours truly, the full show won't begin until November 2nd. In the meantime, watch the premiere on CBS on-demand, and catch the newest season of "The Big Bang Theory" on Monday nights!

Food Feature Friday #48: Edible Egg-less Cookie Dough

If you're anything like me, you're probably secretly addicted to cookie dough. Yes there are numerous warnings stating to NOT eat raw cookie dough, but it can be hard to resist the temptation to devour the delectable dessert before it's been cooked. Luckily there is a solution to this problem! Egg-less cookie dough.

There have many a multitude of people who've created this recipe and one lady even made an entire eatery based off of edible cookie dough. While I don't intend on ever taking credit for this amazing creation, I do intend on sharing it with all of you beautiful Jedi's.


I personally recreated this exact recipe - which I unfortunately can't find the original source to or have my own photo of it for some reason. I did include a photo from a similar batch that I found on Pinterest, so please excuse my poor planning but please accept this recipe in it's absence.


Ingredients:


- 1 stick of butter
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 14oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup mini choc. chips


Directions:


1. Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla until creamy
2. Gradually add flour and condensed milk until combined
3. Stir in choc. chips
4. If dough seems too sticky, put in the fridge to set for around 30 mins
5. Serve


That's all there is to it and believe me, you'll be shocked by how much it truly tastes like actual cookie dough! Whether or not you can actually bake it is up or a discussion - I'm pretty sure the answer is no - but this is about enjoying the pre-cooked dough, so it's not really that much of a concern.


So go forth and create the dough to eat all night long with zero guilt...or risk of salmonella.

Thursday's Delayed Post.

I have released my ultimate hermit powers and shut off the world.

Mini Easel DIY!

It's no secret I've been participating in crafting shows. While I do think marketing and presentation are a big part to how your product is viewed, I also believe that spending a chunk of money on it can break your entire budget. This could in a sense even ruin your potential profits, as you'll have to calculate the price of your "decorations".

Yes I understand that a one time investment could pay off in the end, but perhaps you're starting off with limited funds and you just don't have the ability to make that type of investment. Well I might not be providing the ultimate solution to completely decorating on a budget for crafting shows (although I can), but I will be providing an option on how to display mini signs showcasing what you have for sale!

What you'll need for this adorable little easel is:

- 4 popsicle sticks

- hot glue gun (and sticks)

- pliers (to break the sticks)


Directions:


1. Prepare your pieces. Break 2 popsicle sticks on one end, less than an inch down. These two pieces will be the front legs of you easel. Then break one stick a little further down (about an inch) on one end. This will be the back leg. Now take one popsicle stick, break off both ends (just to rid of the rounded edges) and then cut the popsicle stick in half. These will be the shelf portion. Lastly take the extra piece you've broken off from the back leg popsicle stick and cut off JUST the rounded edge. This will be the link to holding everything together.


2. Assemble the front. Take your link piece and place hot glue onto it, just enough to provide a good hold. Take your two front legs and glue them onto the link, both at an angle. This portion is the back. Now take one of the shelf pieces and glue it flat onto the front side (not where you can see the link portion). Your front legs are now secure. To finish off the shelf, simply take your other shelf piece and glue it sticking out (like a floating shelf) to the other shelf piece.

3. Assemble the back. The last step is to add some glue to the edge of the bottom of the link piece in the back. Immediately attach the back leg piece, while setting it onto a flat surface. Adjust the angle quickly, so the glue sets at the angle you want it to stay at. Wait a few seconds while applying VERY gentle pressure, securing your piece altogether.


And there you have it! A cute little easel for you to use for your display. To add a little more pizazz you could easily paint it with metallic paint (or any paint), add some jewels, or even decorate it with fabric. Personally I kept mine "wood like", as it adds a little extra texture to my entire table. Small but powerful details can help make a huge difference.


The total cost? Less than $2 for a multitude of them, because you can't just buy 4 popsicle sticks! You can easily find a pack at Dollar Tree (or your local dollar store), making this DIY and DIYes!!!

Health Nuts Unite!

It's no secret I haven't been feeling too well for the past few weeks (feels longer, but I'm really not sure). Granted a majority could very well be due to stress and anxiety. Unfortunately I don't know for sure.

Yes I'm aware I'll probably sound like one of those paranoid hypochondriacs you see rant on social media, but I'm truly hoping this will relate to someone out there.


Every single morning for months I've been unable to drink or eat anything for the first few hours of the day after waking up. Doesn't matter what time it is, I just can't stomach it (and no I'm not pregnant for those of you who are thinking it). I'm also being constantly bamboozled by consistent, painful, debilitating headaches that come and go in waves. They make it hard to do almost anything, let alone think straight. I also get horrendous pain near the lower end of my left rib cage. So bad to the point where it takes my breath away.


At night it's a whole other issue. I have severe anxiety attacks, night sweats, nightmares, and back pain.


Sometimes I'll get extremely shaky and weak. I suppose jittery is a more suitable term, but I'll use both to help get my point across. Almost as if I've had WAY too much coffee, even when I've had none.


All in all I feel like I'm being worn thin to the point of no return. I don't know if I need a disconnection from my life - minus my Padawan because he's my everything - or if I just need a good weekend of rest. I'm not sure, but I'm hoping that maybe someone could possibly shed some light onto what might be going on.


Other than what seems to be a never ending ordeal of health issues, I'd like to say this: I miss when my life was boring.


Recently I've been dealing with dating drama (I haven't shared mostly to keep certain situations private), friend drama (lost someone I had known for 26+ years), and now life drama. Before things were simple, I only focused on homeschooling and my son, I didn't dabble in people's problems, and I sipped teas during the night.


Honestly I'm seriously considering making a huge change that could alter my direction of life. Quite possibly I could go backwards in a way, returning somethings to how they were. It's late so maybe it's the anxiety talking, but I can say that something has got to change. I'm just not sure what or how much.

Free Toys Just Because!

Happy Monday Jedi's!

Today I've been running around deep cleaning the entire house while my Padawan was at school. 7 loads of laundry, scrubbing the carpet, deep cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, vacuumed everywhere, fed Yoda, and picked up the bedrooms.

Phew, I'm tired just thinking about it again.

Instead of boring you all with the details of what I've been cleaning, I thought I'd share with you guys a really cool little adventure my little guy and I had this past weekend.


Gepetto's is a store that - while a bit pricey - has a decent collection of toys that you wouldn't normally find at Toys-R-Us. They have more of the "STEM" themed play things, along with really cool trinkets. This past Saturday Gepetto's decided to celebrate their 25th anniversary at all their stores, commemorating it by handing out bags of free goodies for the youngans.

In hopes of getting a good spot in line, we headed to the Fashion Valley Gepetto's in San Diego around 8:30am, for their 10am opening. Luckily there was only one 4-person family ahead of us, making us in the perfect position to wait for our own early mini Christmas.

While we waited we talked with the other family about their adorable dog, played the iPad, did a little Pokémon Go, and made our own guesses on what might be included. I will say we also drooled a little when their food vendor started setting up, giving off a rather enticing aroma. Nonetheless we stood strong in line.

After a few more moments, we watched as they opened the doors and popped a confetti...thing. We were handed a ticket, walked straight back, and received one red Gepetto's drawstring bag.

Outside they had a mini robot/spaceship station, where you could "make" a cardboard robot or spaceship. Of course my Padawan chose a robot, so he popped it out of the pre-cut cardboard, put it together, and left with a pretty cool robot.

Once in the car, we dumped out everything to check out what all he scored. Of course we became more anxious to play with it all, so we headed home where we played with each new awesome prize.

Inside the bag my little guy got:

- mess free glitter

- an owl who's eyes pop out when squeezed

- a click flashlight

- a pack of Chima Lego's

- a Minecraft blind box

- connector pens

- a super soft squishy banana

Overall my little guy was super stoked and felt like the wait was worth the fun that soon ensued for him. I for one don't mind waiting in line for free stuff or a really good deal. In this case, they had both. Their entire store was also 25% off, but I didn't take advantage of that as I didn't have any extra funds to spend. But again, he scored with a bunch of goodies that more than sufficed.

Hopefully you guys had a good weekend and it was filled with stupendous memories. I for one was able to finally escape the chaos from last week. Now just to get through this week with no big hitches and I'll feel like I've finally regained my mental strength.