The makeover

So, I really don't want to seem ungrateful but this makeover thing is turning out to be a bit of a pain. Initially, I was told to get ready for a "Day of Pampering" and to make sure I had the whole day free. Sounds great, doesn't it?? Well, they booked it for a Tuesday which is a little inconvenient because if I need the whole day, that would make for about 10 hours of babysitting while Chris is at work and ALOT of prep work since the kids need to get to and from school at certain times etc. So, it started to stress me.

Then, the lady from the magazine called (who is super duper sweet btw) to let me know that I actually wouldn't be getting my spa treatments on Tuesday. In fact, the spa is closed that day. I am just to show up at 9, looking normal/horrible, they will take my picture in various spa settings and then I will get my hair and makeup done, put on my new outfit from Posh Mommy and have a final "tada" photo. So, I had to go to Posh Mommy yesterday at 12:15 to pick out an outfit. The magazines photographer (who is also super duper sweet) came for a few minutes to snap a few pics. Then, a 'professional stylist' was on hand to help me pic out an outfit. I was given $300 to spend. Well.....that amount of money doesn't buy much. The jeans are all $250.00 and the tops average about $180.00. Yikes!!! So, it was a little stressful. I didn't want to spend any money...isn't that the point of WINNING something. I found it odd that it was impossible to get an outfit for that amount of money but that's all that they offered. I was expecting to be able to go whenever I wanted and to be able to buy whatever I wanted. Not be told that I needed an "outfit" to wear for the 'after' picture. So, I ended up spending $90 of my own money and then still having to go buy some shoes that the sylist recommended. I almost feel guilty owning these expensive "Joe's Jeans". How do people afford it? or justify it? The lady from the mag said "once you wear high end jeans, you'll never go back!" I don't have a choice but to go back. Our finances don't allow this type of thing and my heart/mind don't either to be quite honest. It wasn't even like I *loved* anything in there and wished for it. I honestly felt sick to my stomach that people honestly think that these clothes are worth that much money. I'll still have to tip for my haircut and spa treatments so after all is said and done, I'll have had to pay about $250 of my own money to win a package valued at $1000.00. Seems like a good deal, but if you don't really have the $250.00 ($90 at posh mommy, $40 shoes, $75 tips-because they expect 15-20%, $45 in babysititng) it's not such a deal. Chris has to stay home a bit in the morning and then the kids will have a couple of my friends to watch them from 10-2, when I get back.

AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It's been frustrating. I'm trying to just enjoy it because I never win and a spa treatment will be awesome (when I finally get there). The personal fitness sessions will hopefully be good too. At one point yesterday, while at Posh Mommy, the owner said to me "You need to spoil yourself" to which I replied "One needs to have money in order to spoil themselves". Some people just don't get what it's like to earn a lower salary and live within your means.

Well, I'll be sure to blog about how everything goes on Tuesday. Hopefully I'll just be able to relax and have fun and enjoy it since I never win and everyone means well. It's not the magazines fault that we don't have the extra money to put in to it. I just stress and loose sleep over stupid things!!!

And when the magazine publishes the article, I'll post the link.

Grand Prize Winner?

I subscribe to a magazine called "Birth of a Mother" and last week they emailed a contest for a "Mommy Makeover". To enter you had to tell them in 100 words why you thought you deserved to win. I just quickly made up a poem and sent it in. After I had sent it, I was quite embarrassed because I should have taken the time to look it over and think about it...it could have been SOOOO much better.

Well, I guess they loved it because I won!!! Here is what I won:


From Swizzlesticks Salon & Spa: 1 x Caribbean Manicure and Pedicure 1 x Aroma Wellness Massage OR Aroma Wellness Facial 1 x Shampoo, Condition, Cut, Style and Finish
1 x Make-up Consultation and Application

From Posh Mommy: $300 Gift Card and Style session with Personal Stylist Kim Flanagan to pick out a new outfit

From Milestones Grill & Bar: $75 Gift Certificate

From Fit Mom: 8 Personal Training Sessions

From bo bébé: $150 Gift Basket

From Shooligans: 1 pair of Robeez soft soles, 1 pair of Squeaky Shoes

Here is a copy of my ridiculous poem that will now be published in the magazine...how horrifying...oh well...at least I'll look good :)


I am a busy mom of three
and barely have time to pee.

I shower at night, (so I can do it alone)
and spare them all from the fright.

I work from home to earn extra money
and rarely get to spend time with my honey.

With a kindergartner, a preschooler and a toddler
…put on clean clothes? why even bother?

With a pony on top, and baggy pants on the bottom
It’s a wonder they have style with all I’ve taught ‘em.

My friends don’t dare laugh, we’re all the same way
I’d rather spend time with my kids than get ready all day.

Someday I’ll spend money on myself
I just keep waiting to loose my ‘muffin top’ shelf.

I love my kids, wouldn’t trade this for the world
But a day of pampering sounds like the best thing I’ve heard!


Now I just have to find someone to watch the kids on Tuesday!

Oh, and if you have little ones and don't subscribe to the magazine you should!!!!

The girls bedroom

The girls have a small bedroom upstairs right now. It's not so bad when they are sleeping in bunk beds but for the past 8 months or so no-one has wanting to sleep on the top so we have them seperated. It's so crammed you can barely move in there. It's driving everyone crazy. They want a place to play where Theo can't get at them but they can barely turn around in their bedroom. We have a large bedroom downstairs that we use as a guest/storage room and we've decided to move the girls into that room. They will be right beneath us but I know I'll have a hard time at first....they'll feel so far away :( They will have more space though and their own 'kid' bathroom! I hope it goes as smoothly as I'm hoping it does but I do have my reservations for sure. I got a *sweet* deal on the bedding thanks to my brother who lives in the States and was willing to allow me to have my stuff shipped to his place for him to forward on to me. I'm excited to have it done...but there is work involved first. We need to clean out the room and decide what to do with all the junk. I think we've decided that we aren't going to keep the guest bed. Initially we thought we'd move the bed upstairs but I think I'm going to need that space for homeschooling stuff. We rarely get overnight company anymore. We used to be like a hotel and I was constantly washing the bedding and getting the room ready for our next visitors but those days are few and far between now. It's hard to justify saving the second biggest room in the house for guests that come only a few times a year when we can be using the room on a daily basis. So, we will have a queen blowup mattress and for those that don't appreciate that, Chris and I will sleep on it and give them our bed for the nights when we have overnight guests.

I'm pretty sure I've decided on painting their room blue and brown...stripes. It's a lot of work but it will look tres cool when completed. I'm painting some headboards that came from Chris's sisters old bedroom and have already bought a nightstand. I'm still deciding on what type of storage system to get...will most likely end up being Ikea. They need a place to store some crafts and toys....and ideas?

I'll post pics as we go along! Hopefully by the end of April they will be downstairs living every teenagers dream :)

Here is a pic of the bedding.