Michael's

When I have the chance I love to go to Michael's
I had my hubby print out their weekly coupon
My daughter was with me in the store.
She saw some horse/ponies figurines and she didn't want to let go.
I used my 40% coupon when her daddy took her to the car.
I am going to give it to her either for her birthday or Christmas present.
It looks like we are going there weekly to pick up a few more.
There were 4 or 5 different types.
She is going to be a very happy girl when she opens her presents.

Sweets

I love sweets.
I love anything that has sugar.   Lots of them.
I also love to bake.
However, being a mom of two (or three is you count my hubby).
Twice I have tried cake on a stick.
I thought I should learn how to make them.
I have found out they were created by bakerella and she was featured by Martha Stewart a few years ago.
They are called cake pop.
It looks pretty easy to make.
It looks like chocolate truffles that I use to make when I had the time.
I think I will make them as a dessert for my Thanksgiving Dinner Party (If I am going to have one.)
People are just to busy with their family that friends don't get together to celebrate it.
http://www.bakerella.com/category/pops-bites/cake-pops/

I also took out an old breadmaker that my in-law use to own.
It is really, really old and it does not come with a manual.
So I search and search but no lucky but I did find some useful information.
I will try it anyways.
If it does not work I will have to buy a new one.

Worried

So I picked up my daughter from the bus stop.
She asked if her teacher called?
I asked why?
She said "I didn't hurt them."
Now that got me worried.
Then I asked, "Who did you hurt?  The teacher?"
She said "Nobody."
Then I asked "Then why would the teacher call me?"
She said "She is not."

This conversation does not sound that she was not being good today.
So I have checked her bag to see if the teacher left a note and waited to see if I will get a phone call.
No calls today.
However, I will be meeting the teacher this week just to get to know them and to see the classroom and her cubby.
I wonder if the teacher will ask us to set up an appointment to official discuss "the situation".

My little girl does have a hard time listening and following instructions.
She likes to do what she wants to do.
I know she is very smart when it comes to what she wants.
She has been in day care since she was 10 months old and has participate other programs like soccer, ballet, and karate.
Most of the time she just does not want to do what you want her to do.

Home Audit

This year we are thinking of insulating the walls and attic.
Since I do find it really cold during the winter and hot during the summer I thought it was time to fix the house so we can be more comfortable.
We found out the attic was not properly insulated and the walls has no insulation at all.
So far we have 3 quotes and I am waiting to book another one...we are playing phone tag.
I think after it is completed we will be all nice an warm this winter and save on our energy bill.
We were thinking of replacing the A/C but the auditor said it is not worth it since we need to spend about $4-5K to apply for the grant and using it 2 or 3 months out of the year, we wont be saving much.
He said spend $300-$400 to have it maintain or fix is fine for now until it dies and then spend the money on a new A/C.
Owing a house is like hooking a big hose to your bank account.
We did purchased an older home with no or minimal fix up.
So far we replaced the windows and doors when we first moved in.
New fridge and dryer (we barely used the dryer so we didnt need to get one)
New furnace
New pavement for our driveway (it does not look new anymore)
Then we redid the basement
Then the upstairs bathroom
New roof
New ceiling lights and potlights (never existed before)
New backyard fence.
Yeah, that is within 5 years.
It does not stop here.
Lots more to do.

Yoga

Tonight was my first yoga class.
The teacher was really good.
Unfortunately I have a sore neck and stiff all over that I was unable to do most of the work out.
It was really interesting and kinda fun to learn something new.
Can't wait to go again and see what happens once my neck is all better.
I wish I can remember what I did so I can practise at home.

Bliss Test

I have tested another skin care product called Bliss.
I have a complicated skin problem where it is very oily after every 3-4 hours.
I have large pores especially on my nose I am trying to get rid of.
What also drives me nuts is that it flakes all the time.
I have found out that I do have oily skin but also dehydrated - flaky skin.
OH!  I thought I was oily and dry at the same time.

So I went to Sephora to try out two products by Bliss because I am frustrated how my nose behaves.
The first one I have tried was called bliss fabulous foaming face wash.
I have tried it for 2 days now.  It does not seem to do any thing.
The other one I am trying is called bliss clog dissolving cleansing milk.
I have only tried it once last night.
It looks it is doing something but I will wait and see after 2 more days of use.
The drug store products are not working so I am going to try out a few items.

http://www.blissworld.com/skincare/shop-by-skin-type/oily/

Test Products

The first night I have tried the Laura Mercier and it was ok.
Not sure if I will like it but I will try it for another day or two.
Last night I did try the Moroccan Oil for your hair and Meradesso for the face.
I really really like the Meradesso.
I cant believe the face and neck gel cost $120 and when I checked online they also have a cleanser for $45.
I was thinking of getting the cleanser but then it mentioned about I have to pay for shipping too!
Damn.
So I didnt bother...maybe if I find a distributer I might just get it from them.

September Luxe Box Review

Just received my first Luxe box by Loose Button
I subscribed to the one year membership which is $10/month.
If I subscribed month to month, it will be $12/month
I was very excited to see what I will get.

The breakdown:
Moroccan Oil - full size bottle $42 (100ml) Sample is worth $10.50 (25ml)
City Lip - full size $35 (5ml) Sample is worth $3.5 (0.5ml) I think
Laura Mercier - full size $38 (200ml) Sample is worth $1.90 (10ml)
Mereadesso - full size $120 (50ml) Sample is worth $16.80 (7ml)

Total worth $32.70+taxes
Yeah, cant wait to try them out
http://luxebox.loosebutton.com/friend-sign-up?referrer=ZmFjZWYwMzI=

Samples junkie

I love samples especially when they are free.
I always sign up for the P&G samples when they come out a couple times a year.
It is also a great way for me to try item that just came into the market.
What I really like are also makeup samples.
In the past they use to give out perfume miniature bottle samples.
Now it is just paper or packaged samples which really sucks.
Sometimes you get samples when you order $34 worth of items but sometimes you have to spend alot more than the minimum to get the freebies which really sucks.

I love going to Sephora to browse around.
I usually don't buy anything because I have no idea what to get.
My mom never taught me how to wear them so it is basically trial and error and lately tons of research.
I am so lucky to have youtube to help me along the way.
I can't remember how but I discover the Luxe Box by Loose Button who ships out beauty product samples to your door for a nominal fee.
They are like Birch Box like the US but Luxe Box is only for Canadians.
Then I was trying to find another company like Loose Button but couldnt find any in my google search...but I did find another one! via facebook of all places...LOL
Yeah!
Glymm Box is another one just for Canadians (for now)
I am still waiting for my first Luxe Box and I won't be getting my Glymm Box for another month.
Also, with Christmas coming and any samples I don't like I can use as stocking stuffer.  :)
Hey, Christmas is expensive so I need to find ideas where ever I can.

Shots

I took my baby to the doctors for her vaccinations shots.
Lucky I didnt have to wait long.
I hate that I make the appointment but I end up waiting for an hour or so.
I mentioned this to the other mothers while we were waiting at the bus stop to pick up my little girl.
The other mom does not believe vaccinations.
She said that the school allows it only if you have this letter notarized by a lawyer.
I thought everyone has to have it done or the school expel the child.
She mentioned about side affects and religion issues and if you organics and no meat and etc... her kid will be OK....I was not going into a big discussion or politics or whatever.
I have never met anyone who does not vaccinate their kid but whatever.
I rather get the vaccination than take any chances but I am not a big believer on the flu shot.
I am not worry about being safe.
It is just that it is possible that you can take the shot but end up getting a flu.
It is like trying to cure the common cold...
However, if I was exposed like a nurse or doctor by all means get the shot.

School

My little one has officially started school.
Met a few moms which is really nice.
If I have any questions I will know who to ask.
It feels like my heart is breaking when she goes off to school.
I cant believe my little girl is going to school.
This will be her 5th day at school.
She seems to like it which is really nice.
She will ask me if she is going back to school tomorrow and when I say "yes" she is very happy.
My worry that she will listen to the teacher.
She is very stubborn and thinks of ideas which will get her way...doesn't everyone?
I think the benefit of putting her at the day care is she get use to other people and routine more easily.
Plus her good friend is also attending the same school and class.
A friend's kid who also started this year, who has never been away from home was a terror.
First day he had to have a talking and a time out.
Poor kid

Yesterday I found out her teacher was suppose to be on maternity leave but lost the baby around 5-6 months.
It is very sad.
We dont know the details but that is what the other mom told me.
I am surprise that she is back to work so soon.
The other mom also told me that another teacher lost her second child.
When that happened she took about 2 years off.

Working

It has been about six weeks I have been trying to lose weight.
The past 3 weeks I walk 5K and later in the early evening I go for my run...more like a jog.
It was tough for the first 4 weeks but it is getting a little better.
I am hoping to lose as much as I can before the summer is over.
I have read that this Fall, the weather will be room temperature so I think I can go out until the end of Oct or early November.  Fingers cross.
Once winter comes I will not be going out for a jog or a walk...it will be too bloody cold.
However I am thinking of taking out my floor mat and teach myself a few yoga moves.
I am even thinking of joining a community center yoga class to get me started.
It will be during the winter session I will be looking into.
I have about 25lbs to lose so I have a long way to go.
Ideally more like 30lbs +
Having two kids really did some damage to my body :(
I am not going to sit and cry about it...baby steps...I just wish it could go faster.