What to do w/ an extra pant leg

So I bought a pair of hot pink knit pants at Target for $1.74. While they would be great for Kindergarten, I knew that there was no way they would ever be worn to middle school. Knit pants=social suicide. I cut them off and made them into Capri PJ's.  She loves them.

I had 2 legs leftover and since I love green and pink, we fixed up a $4 Wal-Mart shirt.  I just cut the legs into long strips, tied the end and then wrapped into a rose shape.  Then I sewed them on the shirt. Easy Peasy.

(Did you see her bracelets?  She made them.)

Linking up here.

Click on the fashion tab to see other fun stuff we've made.

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOUR BLOG!

I was reading over at  this  morning and Jennifer had a great post called "10 Things I Hate About Your Blog".  I thought it was blogging gold for a new blogger and the comments were great (hysterical) too. 

I give her a big "AMEN SISTA!" Although I have no idea if " 2   You don't have an email registered with Google." applies to me or not. (it doesn't-thanks Jennifer)

So since Jenifer already took all the good ones, I don't have 10 but here's some more stuff that bugs me:

1. Linky parties that require me to backlink on the actual post.  I get why people do it, I just think it makes things look way too cluttered.  I have a separate link page and will participate in any link party that considers that "linking back".

2. I love comments, but I can't figure out a good way to reply back to people. (thanks again Jennifer)

3. I'm never sure how to respond when people ask me to follow in comments.  I usually do, I just think it's weird.
4. This one's not really a "hate", but more I think "I think it's funny".  Some people will label every item of clothing or jewelry in a linky party "Anthro Knock-off". 

5. When people try to cram too much into one post. If you have your European trip, a give-a-way, a link party and a tutorial all in the same post-BREAK IT UP. It's not like your saving paper or something.

Here's stuff I like

1. When linky host take the time to comment on the project I link.  It's got to be a ton of work and I don't expect it, but I'm impressed when people do.

2. When people have a quick and organized  way to see all their projects (you can have up to 10 pages).  I'm afraid I'm missing out on some fabulous ideas to steal if they don't have someway for me to find them.

3.  I like when people have their followers near the top of the page.  I'm more likely to follow, if I don't have to search to do it.

4. Humor

5.  I like when people post their "fails". 

So here we go, I'm putting on my thick skin and asking you my readers what you hate about my blog?  If it's something technical that you want me to change, please also leave some directions how to do so. Also while I'm asking for your feedback, I was wondering if anyone would be interested if I made a Facebook page for this blog?

Also, I should mention that that thing I had removed off my face ended up being no big deal  and just what I thought it would be(Basal Cell) . Stitches are out and I only have a tiny scar that I hope w/ a little Melederma will fade quickly.  Thanks for your warm thoughts and prayers and wear sunscreen. Now that you know that I'm not dying of cancer, you can feel free to give me your harshest criticism.  Bring it on.

Update:
From now on, I will use a bigger font size.

I turned off the word verification (I am so embarrassed it was on there-I thought I turned it off when I started the blog).

I figured out how to reply when people comment. Woohoo!

I will make greater attempts to proofread-I really do try, it's just that my brain autocorrects everything, so I don't see the mistakes.

I am trying really hard to take better pictures, but that may be a lost cause.

Thanks for the input!

Happy Cinco De Mayo-Let's Eat

In honor of Mexico's big day, I will share with you 2 of my favorite sorta-Mexican recipes.  The First is White Chicken Chili.  I found this recipe on the back of Bush's Best Great Northern Beans.  My kids hate it, but I love it so it make it all the time anyway. That's the kind of Mom I am.

Saute 1 chopped medium onion in olive oil. 
Add: 1 (4 oz) can of chopped green chillies
3 Tb flour (optional-I never use it)
2 tsp ground cumin.
Cook and stir for 2 minutes. 

Add: 2 cans drained beans
1 can chicken broth ( or just through in 14 oz of water and a bouillon cube)
1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken. 
Simmer 10 minutes/

I've made it from dried beans and it works great too (just takes WAY longer). If you're in a hurry just boil the chickn breasts and then add everything else and a few bouillon cubes and you're good to go.

Garnish w/ cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado etc. and serve w/ chips (my kid's like the chips).

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

I love this stuff.  We eat it with chips or as a side with grilled chicken.  (honestly, I've also eaten it straight out of the bowl).  This is actually a Paula Deen recipe.  Shocker, since it isn't deep fried or smothered in butter.

Recipe found here:

 

Black Bean Salsa

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time:

20 min

Inactive Prep Time:

7 hr 0 min

Cook Time:

--

Level:

Easy

Serves:

12 servings

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (17-ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
• 2 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 large avocado, peeled and diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Cover and chill overnight. Taste and add salt, pepper or more lime juice as necessary. Serve with tortilla chips as an appetizer, or with grilled chicken breast.

I add a lot more lime juice and vinegar and use red onion and some garlic.  I've used lemon juice in a pinch and once used a bottle of Paul Newman's light lime salad dressing.You can also use canned corn. I also never add cilantro.  Those of you that don't speak Spanish, may not realize that cilantro is Spanish for "how to ruin perfectly good Mexican food.

No canned biscuits were harmed in the course of this blog post.


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Win an iPad!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ogilvy for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
What do you get when you combine your favorite magazine with your iPad? An appazine.

the collection is a brand new “appazine” .  Each interactive issue will explore a single topic and offer readers vast amounts of information via text, video, photos, and panoramic photography, audio and even 3-D effects.  You only have to buy the issues that interest you. 

If you woke up at dawn to watch the pageantry of the royal wedding, that issue might interest you.  If serious matters of global importance interest you, than there will be issues that explore those topics as well.  You get to stay informed with global events and play with your iPad at the same time.  Go to the App store, check out the App and let me know what you think.

To celebrate the launch of this new appazine, they are giving away a free iPad with free one year subscription to the collection App for the rest of the year!

Do you want to win an iPad? Of course you do. The complete rules can be found here: http://izea.com/contest-rules-regulations/stay-current-with-the-collection-app-contest/.  The short rules are all you have to do is tweet the following message: Stay up-to-date with current events by using #thecollection iPad App
tweet to enter
Contest ends May 15
Good Luck! 

      .  The tweet to enterthe collectionthe collectionthe collection

Wicked Mother's Day Idea

First of all, it's really hard to take pictures of your own hand.  Second, they look really old.

I just got back from the cutest Mother's Day activity EVER.  My youngest is in Kindergarten and last week I got  invited to a "Mommy Makeover Day".  Dad's were solicited to send in breakfast foods (I'm sure the momss actually brought them anyway) and moms were invited to bring all of our beauty supplies for a morning of pampering.  My son was not thrilled with the idea.  He told me, "Mom, I'm going to mess you up."  I kept asking him to come, because I knew he'd be disappointed if I didn't.  He was being a little bit of a stinker, but right before he left for school, he finally reluctantly agreed that I could come.

I got there a minute late, and I could see pure relief and joy spread over his face that I actually showed up. Like every good mom, I held in the "I told your so". He brushed my hair and applied some lotion. I didn't bring a lot of make-up, because I don't really own much and I didn't really want him getting near my stiches (they're coming out today!).  I wish I had my camera because some of the Moms were masterpieces of make-over glory.  I'm not sure if some of them had any make-up left to take home. 

 I did get a lovely green manicure.  I texted a photo to my hubby and he declared I'd been Lady Gagad, but I think it's more Wicked. The professionals usually only apply polish to your nails, but I have it all over my hands as well. I'm one lucky girl.

After our breakfast and makeovers, the kids sang to us.  Adorable.

It was a great morning!

Linking up here

How to make $ with your computer

Updated 1/04/2012

First of all, I'd be far better off working just about anywhere else if this was just about the money.  I blog for fun, but earning a little money helps me justify the time I spend doing this.  I'm new to all this blogging and am no way an expert, but I thought I'd pass a long what I've learned.  It may be poor manners to discuss money, but I'm putting what I've earned out there so you can judge for yourself if it's worth it.


Google AdSense
So you may have noticed that my blog now has ads.  If you want to make some $ off your blog, go to your dashboard and click "monetize" and follow the directions. I've seen google AdSense on other blogs, but never added it because I didn't know if it would be worth it.  I know it's rude to discuss money, but  I'm throwing etiquette aside so you can decide if it's worth it to you.   So far today I've made a whopping $.02, but I've made about $25 in the past week. I average about 1000 page views/ day. The more people that click on the ads, the more money you earn.  So even if you only have 25 page views but they all click on an ad, you can make some money. It's a big no-no to tell people to click on your ads and google will drop you. However, if you are visiting a blog and there is an ad for something you are genuinely interested in, click away. (especially if you are on my blog)


The ads that pop up crack me up.  Whatever word I mention in a post, suddenly a product w/ that word pops up. Sometimes they have nothing to do w/ my blog.  I've clearly got to do some more craft posts, b/c today all the ads are about skin cancer and investing.

Amazon Associates

I signed up for this the same day as AdSense, but I haven't made any money yet.  Although, I did put their ads at the bottom of my page, so it might be my fault.  When I added them at the top, they kept showing up on top of the posts, and I thought that was annoying.  If you're interested, you can also sign up by clicking the "monetize" button. 
UPDATE: I canceled it, I wasn't making anything and it was just junking up my blog


Social Spark
I signed up for this a month ago.  Basically how it works is that you get offers to write blog posts and then you get paid if they are accepted.  I've gotten offers for about 25-30 companies, but have only accepted the one for Kidzmet and I earned $15. I'm probably too picky about what I blog about.  I am just not good at gushing about a products that I have no intention of ever using, nor do I feel it's very honest. For example, I've gotten a few for online dating services and I just didn't feel that I could blog much about that. Although it might have been funny. I have decided only to accept offers to blog about products I would use and things I think would interest my readers.
UPDATE: Social Spark made me the most $ last year. I've made close to $350 since writing this post.
If you're interested click here  (I'd really appreciate it if you signed up through me-I get a little commision)  .





Swagbucks
We've also recently signed up for Swagbucks.  You earn points by using it as a search engine, taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, buying Groupons, shopping online etc. I figured that since I do all those things anyway, I might as well earn some cash and prizes. Then you can trade in those points to earn prizes.



 My kids are a little obsessed.  They are trying to earn an Ipod Touch (22,000 points).  At their current rate, they should earn one in about a year.  If you want to check it out, click on the button in the top right corner of this blog.  You have to install their tool bar, but it works as well as my old tool bar and in about a year my kiddo's can get an Ipod Touch. I don't really see a down side.
Click on this button to sign up.

I think I may also earn some extra swagbucks if you sign up through me and that would make my kid's day:)
UPDATE: My kids work this way more than I do.  They take all the surveys to try and earn swagbucks and they've earned several $5 gift cards.  I just use the search engine and buy the occasional Groupon and have earned about 3000 Swag bucks (which I could trade in for $30 of gift cards. I didn't do anything that I wouldn't have done anyway, so it's like getting free $.



UPDATE:  I just became a Shabby Apple Affiliate.  Basically I will get a portion of any sales from traffic from my site.

Linking up here.
You might also enjoy: 10 Things I hate about your blog
and I made a button

Maxi Skirt #2

Between a broken AC and my skin cancer adventure, last week was a little crummy.  We were melting (it was 87 in my bedroom), when the phone rang and our friends invited us to dinner.  The food and company were great distractions to my itchy face.  One-by-one each of the men (all in the military), got phone calls of a base recall.  Since none of them work together, we knew something big had happened.  I don't know if it's appropiate to delight in someone's death, but I think there's a sense of relief that at least there will be one less crazy plotting to kill Americans. So a big Woohoo! and a bigger GO NAVY SEALS!

  As we left our friend's house, we noticed that the temperature had dropped almost 30 degrees!  Since our AC will not be fixed until Wednesday, we were thrilled. 

  So far this week rocks!

My kid wanted a hippy skirt too. (To see how easy-click here) I should have timed it, but it was easily under 30 minutes.  I again used the selvage edge again so I didn't even have to hem.  I used a little less than 2 yards of fabric that I got on sale, so I think the grand total was only about $6. Fast, cheap and cute!

 The only thing I didn't like, is how grown-up she looked.

Linking up here.

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I think today is the day I will pass 50,000 Page views!  Thanks for stopping by. Double thanks if you left a comment!!