High Heels & A Smile

Hank's birthday is next week. I've been given strict instructions to buy nothing. But I have other plans... I mean what wife worth her salt doesn't have some secret, devious plan?? Does he really know who he's dealing with?? Have I ever NOT bought him a present? But, I know for a fact he won't complain. Because I plan to go shopping for something a bit more intimate than a CD or clothes. I plan to find something to make him sit up and pay attention. I want to find something authentically NOT me. I want to give him a fantasy for his birthday. So while I sit here blushing and thinking about wearing a corset, or fishnet stockings, or saran wrap even... I know it's for a worthy cause.

I want him to have an unexpected spicey birthday!! (Do you hear my devious laughter now??)

Now, please!

I think it's time... I think it's well past time. And I'm tired of waiting!! I've been chained to this desk long enough. I'm ready for freedom. I want it... and I want it now!! I'm talking about a laptop. I really, really want one!! And I want one in green. Cause that's just how I roll. I want it to have tons and tons of memory to support my picture taking habit. And I want it to have photoshop to support my photo adjusting habit. And I want it to have publisher for my writing habit. And I want it to have a video editing program so I can learn to make my own little videos of my kids and my family. I want it... I want it now.

Do you think making a selfish declaration like that will get it?? That's what I thought... I'm not seeing any money magically falling from the sky either. Sigh.

My family rocks!

And they're beautiful too!

Future Plans

When Hank and I were first married, we had the essential insurances, but we did not have life insurance. Once we started our family, our focus and priority quickly shifted to making sure that our kids would be taken care of no matter if we were there to take care of them or not.

So I went to a local insurance agent and educated myself on life insurance. At first, I wanted to get Hank and I both whole life policies... because at the end of a 10, 20, or 30 year term, you receive a pay-out no matter what. So, essentially, it would be a sort of savings account.

But we wanted to increase the amount of coverage after our second child came, and we couldn't afford whole life rates. By this time we had a new agent who was right around our age and in our stage of life as well. He told us that a 30- year term life insurance policy was a smart move.

I have whole life policies on all my children, because it's cheap to start them with one. And I have a term life on me and Hank. Recently I was able to convert my policy to a whole life, and we hope to do the same to Hank's when money allows.

For now, we feel comfortable that our children would be well looked after if we weren't here.

VACA

We have always been really good about making sure we have proper insurance for all of our property and on ourselves. We have home owners insurance, car insurance, life insurance, and liability insurance. When I was single and lived in an apartment, I was responsible enough to have renter's insurance. When I worked for the local ABC affiliate, we did several stories on pet insurance... and I even have a friend who has their pets insured and says that it saves them money on vet bills. But this is the first time I have heard of travel insurance. You can bet your booty I'll be looking into it too! Some questions I would have would be:
If you have to unexpectedly cancel your vacation plans, are you reimbursed for the expense you already paid... like hotel, plane tickets, etc?
How much does it cost?
Is there a catch about repayment?
Does it cover road trips... or maybe if your car breaks down on the way to your destination?

Scooter Shopping

You will never guess what Hank and I are very seriously considering purchasing! This would be for Hank going to and from work. We went in and talked to a sales associate and found out that we could get this for LESS THAN $60 a month, and it would cost less than $20 (at current gas prices) a month in gas. So the payment on the scooter and gas would be equivalent to one tank of gas in our mini-van. We could handle that and it would bring us some relief.

The only thing is, we would need to add it to our current car insurance, get the tags for it, helmet, and I'm sure other things we aren't thinking of right now.

But, man... I filled up at $3.99 yesterday. Not cool. So if you see my husband riding around on a scooter and you think he looks uncool... you are wrong. He looks smart!

Us V. Time

I have never truely worried about aging. I take precautionary measures... and have for a very long time... when it comes to sun exposure. My kids and I are ALWAYS lathered up with the highest degree of sun block when we spend time by the pool. But I've been starting to notice some fine lines around my mouth, smile lines I think they call them. Also lines around my eyes... or the dreaded crows feet!

So now I need to know... what can I do to keep my age at bay for a while longer? Are there some top wrinkle cream prodcuts out there that can help me?

I have collected tons of little samples from department store counters and tossed them after I didn't use them. The most recent one, I started using just until I settle on something!

So now, I guess I'm looking for a way to stop the hands of time... or at least hit the pause button.

Helping Hand!

I'm doing it! I've been going running every other morning. I've enlisted the help and accountability of my husband for food, and my sister as a work out partner. WE meet at a local park every other morning and run for nearly 2 miles. On our path, we stop and do ab work, thigh work, and arm work with an elevated heart rate for maximum results. I've looked into some metabolism boosters and things like Orovo to help me see some results, but just haven't pulled the trigger on that just yet! While my husband is opposed to any sort of 'magic pill' approach, I don't mind trying to help out my metabolism since it doesn't function as proficiently now at 30 as it did when I was 18!

By The Hour?

Hank and I have been having to steal moments together lately! In the den, in the toy room, in our kid's rooms. What with kids trying to stay up late every night since it's summer and that is a child's rite of passage.... apparently. And the baby has been teething and up and down at night, which, let's just be honest, is more of a hindrance to Mom than Dad. Lately, I've wished for a babysitter during the day and a little extra cash, so I could rent a hotel room at one of the cheap hotels around and have an afternoon delight with my husband! Are you all shocked?? Well, you can only flirt and tease so much before you need to take action people!!