My Geek Voice

I received my free sample of John Frieda’s Root Awakening Shampoo and Conditioner. I loved it! The eucalyptus smell was great and it felt so good on my scalp! I felt like I was in the salon having someone wash my hair for me! (And we ALL love that part of a salon visit the best, admit it!)

After my hair dried (naturally, since I don’t use a hairdryer), I have tons of volume and body, which is amazing, as I have baby-fine hair with no body whatsoever! I highly reccommend this product to anyone whose hair as body-issues!

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This the on-going ecomonic crises (will it ever end???) and fees for the gyms getting higher due to the crisis, more and more people seem to be heading the way of the video game for their workouts. Having just bought EA Sports Active game for the Wii, I can see why this trend is happening.  It was a fun game and that worked my body over! Good Lordy! I wasn’t expecting to work up a sweat, because I figured it was a lot like Wii Fit, which was fun, but never caused a sweat. This game was a whole different ball game! I was dripping with sweat by the time it was over! However, for dripping a sweat, I didn’t feel like I was going to die. (You know what I mean!)

The personal trainer was encouraging, but not a pain in the butt, like the ones on Wii Fit, which are placating and sometimes condescending. This trainer was the perfect balance of encouragement and challenging. The exercises were fun and challenging and I have to admit, it was the most fun that I have had working out. This is perfect for someone who cannot afford or does not want the monthly gym membership.

Now, for my question: Will video games replace personal trainers? That depends on the person. If the person is self-motivated and is somewhat in shape, but needs a boost, I think that the Wii’s EA Active is a great workout for them. This is also great for someone who is intimidated by the gym. However, if the person is either obese or in kick ass shape and is not self-motivated, this is the not the best route for them. Meeting with a personal trainer is probably the best option for them, especially if they need the accountability or custom workouts. Also, if your gym provides childcare and your children are younger and prone to bugging you while you workout, I would highly suggest hitting the gym! (That is unless, you have a highly motivated youngster that follows the workout alongside you, like my goof ball Sophia!) Both EA Active and the gym are great options and I personally use both. I swim at the local YMCA, where I work, and I will now be hitting EA Active during the day time. For me, I find that this is probably the best way to get back into my pre-pregnancy shape.

Do you think that gyms will become obsolete in the future due to video games?

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Well, as if being a mom to a four year old and a 1 1/2 month old wasn’t crazy enough, this week, I headed back to work and school. (Grab brick out of backyard and pound head repeatedly.)

Work s going good, however, I realized in my two months off that I am more of a night person than a morning person, however I can do quite well at both. I went back to work as a lifeguard on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 4:30am to 7:30am and am teaching Water Fitness on Monday and Friday from 6:30am to 7:30am. I have to be honest when I say that I like my Monday and Fridays the best. I am happy that I have Wednesdays off, that makes a huge difference.

As for school, nothing like a Biopsychology class to get you back in the swing of things! Thank God I remember a lot of Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology! I am going to need it for this class! So, if you have been checking back here and not noticing a whole lot going on, sorry. Life is catching up to me and well, let’s face it I am not Super Mom! (But God, do I wish that I was!!!)

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I recently got a copy of Tori Spelling’s new book, Mommywood by Tori Spelling. So far, I am loving it! I may be hard for some to do, but I feel for Tori. She struggles with what every mom struggles with, especially working moms: finding the balance between work and home. It’s a hard struggle, after my first child, Sophia, I had to go back to work at a large bank, where I was a Branch Manager. That was rough, when I was at work, I thought about home and when I was home, I thought about work. There was a never-ending crazy cycle.

After Sophia was 1 1/2, I was able to quit my job and be a full-time stay at home mom, which I enjoyed. When we moved, I got a part-time job at the local YMCA, which totally works around my life, I work from 4:30am to 7am. I don’t have to worry about childcare and well, I am awake anyways. The job is not stressful and I enjoy it, so I don’t feel like I am constantly in limbo between worlds.

But back to Tori, she is a hilarious author, who is not afraid to tell it like it is. I admire that about her! I especially loved her Halloween party story. I won’t give anything away, but just know that has happened to me too! I also admire that she is not afraid of calling out the broken relationship with her mom, Candi, who in my opinion, is a total nut!

If you like Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, then make sure to check out Mommywood and sTori Telling.

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Do you have issues with losing socks in the wash? I know that I did! No matter how hard I tried, I ALWAYS lost socks in the wash! I would do that particular load, which had both socks when I started the load, only to lose one sock when I pulled everything out of the dryer. I even resorted to looking in the space between the washer and dryer, no such luck.My poor husband was quickly running out of dress socks and I was tired of buying them over and over!

My cousin mentioned safety pinning the socks together and then washing them, well, this worked for one wash. I unpinned the socks, only to find big gaping holes and then would have to throw the socks away. Finally, I decided to buy some small lingerie bags and hang them above our laundry hampers. My fmaily puts their socks in them together and lo and behold, they come out of the wash together. You can typically fit three pairs of adult socks, six pairs of kids socks and countless baby socks and it works!

So, if you are tired of losing socks in the wash, give this a try. Also to find the smaller lingerie bags, try Dollar Tree, that’s where I got mine.

Tags: Clothing, Laundry, Shopping, Sock, Socks and Hosiery

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I finally got to see the new Star Trek movie. (I am a huge fan, and would have liked to have seen it opening weekend, however I ended up having our newest daughter that weekend!) I totally LOVED it! It was amazing from start to finish, like a roller coaster ride that you want to get back in line for as soon as you get off the ride!

The cast was amazing, Chris Pine did an amazing job as James Tiberius Kirk, he was cocky, bold and everything that you remember about the Captain. Let’s not even get started about Zachary Quinto as Spock. There were times when I literally didn’t realize that it was not Leonard Nimoy at a younger age! There were a few times, however that I was thinking, “Come on, point your finger and slice them!” (insert laughter at the Sylar reference) One of my favorite cast members had to be John Cho as Sulu. One of my favorite parts is when Captain Pike asks for anyone trained in hand to hand combat. Sulu volunteers and is asked by Kirk what type of training he (Sulu) has had. Sulu answers “fencing“. At this point, both you and Kirk are thinking “we’re screwed!“, that is until you see what Sulu fences with!

The special effects in this movie were outstanding and I seriously hope that they win an Academy Award for them. The special effects were perfect, not too overdone and they were believeable. I think that those are the best kind of special effects. The kind that make you believe that anything is possible and you immerse yourself in the new world without thinking that it isn’t real.

I know that millions of people saw the movie “Titanic” over and over and over, which was not even a great movie, this however deserves to be seen over and over and over and over! This was not only one of the best Star Trek movies ever, but one of the best overall movies!

Tags: Academy Award, James T. Kirk, John Cho, Leonard Nimoy, Sci Fi, Spock, Zachary Quinto

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A few weeks ago, I picked up some of the best lip gloss that I have ever used! Soap & Glory’s Sexy Motherpucker is the yummiest tasting lip gloss, it stays on for hours and it keeps my lips hydrated too!

The best thing about Sexy Motherpucker is the lip plumping action. Simply put on the lip gloss, lick your lips and your lips will start to tingle! Tingle-action means that your lips are plumping up. There are some great colors and they all taste delicious. I simply hate lipstick that tastes like butt! This lip gloss is also not super sticky, unlike the ones from Victoria Secret, which my hair sticks to if it’s even remotely windy. My husband likes it, because, well it’s super kissable, but again doesn’t feel like he’s kissing spirit gum and it doesn’t leave sticky stuff all over his handsome face!

This lip gloss is also a great way to pick up your day! I find that when I put it on, I feel a whole lot better! It’s like Prozac for your lips! I feel like Marilyn Monroe!

So, buy some and Motherpucker up!

Tags: Lip gloss, Soap and Glory, Victoria Secret

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So, I was cruising through the Homemaker Barbi site, which I am TOTALLY addicted to, and I ran across this great article about refreshing makeovers for tired moms. I was encouraged beyond belief!! I actually printed it and taped it to my bathroom wall. I know, it sounds silly, but as a mom of two, I need all the help I can get. With my youngest one being only 2 weeks old, I will admit that I am tired.

I look in the mirror and try not to stare too hard at my face. Yes, I have the dark circles, the tired looking eyes and etc. I know that typically when you try to gussy yourself up, you tend to feel better. So, I am going to try out these great tips and see how it goes.

Again, thank you Homemaker Barbi!!! Please, make sure to check out her site, I have to admit, it is one of the best! Besides, you never know what great tips, recipes or etc you might find!

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Okay, so today started out so well! Sophia (4), Sarah (13 days) and I snuggled in my bed and watched Nick Jr cartoons.  After an hour or so of this, we got up, got dressed and headed to Michaels for some yarn for a baby blanket that I need to make for a friend.

We were in the store and Sophia was acting really good! I was very proud of her, until she saw a toy she wanted. I firmly told her no and then she proceeded to throw the mother of all temper tantrums. So, as any mother would do (or at least what I did), I said goodbye and walked the register to pay, she followed me screaming the whole way. So, I pulled the ole’ Penguins of Madagascar ideology “Just smile and wave”.

As a psychology major, I fully understand that she is going through a MAJOR udjustment period, however, she is driving me crazy! She is really strong-willed. I mean REALLY strong-willed. I have tried all the parenting books, Love and Logic, Shepherding a Child’s Heart, and Grace-Based Parenting. None of them have worked. I have taken bits and pieces from them and applied them to Sophia. They are great books and I totally recommend them to others, however, my little munchkin is jsut to headstrong for these methods to work.

So, I decided to pull out the big guns. I reserved The Strong-Willed Child by James Dobson. I hope that this will help! I read it before I had kids and thought it was good, so hopefully it will help break her will, but not her spirit.

If you have any other great book ideas, please let me know!!! Thanks!

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I recently discovered this great website called Homemaker Barbi. This website has everything! I recently had my second child and have totally felt out of balance. I have tried to clean my house, or organize it and have felt so out of place and unsure where to start!

I read this great article from Homemaker Barbi on Setting up a Housekeeping Plan. This great article even has cleaning checklist forms, which have totally helped me!

Thank you Homemaker Barbi! You rock!!!

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