When it comes to glasses and vision, I of all people know the importance of having the appropriate prescription and glasses or contacts that suit you. Part of the reason my vision is so bad now is because in high school I refused to admit to the fact that I had problems seeing and instead resorted to squinting and using friends glasses which weren’t designed for me.

I’m paying for it now. Believe me.

In any event, I also know just how expensive eyeglasses are and that for most people, especially if you don’t have insurance it’s next to impossible to actually afford glasses, let alone afford the exam.

Thankfully there is now a wonderful company Zenni Optical that makes glasses both affordable and stylish. So for those of you who have been putting of purchasing glasses or are taking the route I did when I was younger—don’t. You’ll thank yourself in the long run and you won’t have to deal with the horrible vision I deal with now. Sure, there are people with worse vision, but being preventative is a good thing and believe me when I say that I learned that the hard way. Yes, I sure did.

Current Mood:  awake

In the recent years, more specifically as I’ve gotten older, my health has become more and more of a concern. If I’m honest though, my concern isn’t really for myself, but for Robby whose family history is known to have medical issues concerning weight.

This concern is particularly prominent now, given that Robby recently suffered from pneumonia and the medications given to him comprised what the doctors like to refer to as the “good bacteria”. It was recommended that he start eating yogurt to offset the effects of the medication, which he has, but I am also a fan looking for natural methods to assist with sickness. In that regard, I have heard that Oregano oil is a good supplement to take as it has been proven to be effective against even drug resistant bacteria.

Despite that, I am no fool and understand that medication is sometimes necessary. As much as we’d like to think that there is a good natural way to help with sickness, that is not always the case and I won’t be disillusioned into believing that. This is especially prudent when it comes to Vitamin D, as Robby’s family also has a history of skin cancer and Robby is prone to getting sunburns when he’s out in the sun for too long. In an effort to assist with our upcoming trip to the river, I think I’m going to suggest Bio D-Mulsion which is a vitamin D supplement enhanced in a manner which helps the body absorb it.

Either way, health has become a serious concern for me and I hope that I’ll be able to convince Robby to be more health conscious as well!

Current Mood:  accomplished

Ever since I was younger, I’ve had this fascination with picnics. Maybe it’s because of all the movies I watched growing up, where the man always swipes the woman off her feet with a picnic basket in tow on a beautiful sunny day.

I think though, if I’m honest, I’ve always been more inclined to moonlit picnics. There is just something so peaceful about doing something so romantic at night that calls to me. Course if Robby had his way, I don’t think his choice would be a picnic backpack, rather a picnic basket—which to me isn’t as romantic and takes away from the entire experience.

Either way, despite what route anyone decided to take when it comes to picnics, whether it’s picnic baskets or picnic backpacks—the entire gesture in itself, to me, is just so breathtaking. But then again, this applies to my more romantic, hopeless side, otherwise for the most part, I’m much happier doing something spontaneous and adventurous. If you want “brownie points” from me, spontaneity is the way to do it.

So ladies, when it comes to your significant others and earning brownie points, what do you think is the absolute most romantic thing they could do for you? Why in particular?

Current Mood:  sleepy

Let me start off by saying that this is probably going to piss some people off and if you’re among some of those people then you’re exactly who I’m talking about- so it might be a good idea to think about evaluating the reasons that you’re pissed off, when to me they’re unjust reasons to begin with. Alright, moving on.

You know for the longest time when someone would tell me that I was being distant or I was closing people out, I felt bad about it. I genuinely felt like a jerk for being such a crappy friend and would go out of my way to reach out to those that I had been “ignoring” and worked really had to strike up a conversation and keep that conversation going.

Then today something dawned on me– why should I? Why should I feel obligated to try and reach out to others because their feelings got hurt that I don’t talk to them on a semi-regular to regular basis? What does it matter that I don’t feel the need to IM people every single day to make them feel as if I’m not being distant or closed off? I mean honestly, why?

Newsflash, for those who didn’t know– I hardly talk with my family on semi-regular to regular basis, so please enlighten me as to what makes you so damn special that I should feel obligated or that you should feel that I should feel obligated to reach out to you? What makes you more important than my family who, while I do love dearly, I freely admit can go months without talking to them? Course, I get reprimanded for it after the fact, but they have that RIGHT cause they’re FAMILY.

And on a more personal, semi-related note, I am tired of being told I do not try hard enough to communicate and hold a conversation, because when I do try, I get very limited responses and the conversation just dies. So for those of you who continue to throw the, “you’re a shitty friend for not reaching out to me”, etc card, please familiarize yourself with the following:

Because guess what? I am.

Current Mood:  accomplished

For a long time I had opted for shared hosting or resellers because it seemed like it was the most affordable. I had really wanted to switch to a dedicated server given the perks, namely having my own server and not having to worry about slowness or unreliability when on a shared server due to having to share space with other clients, but doing so wasn’t feasible given that it cost so much per month. Despite that little problem, it still didn’t prevent me from checking out sites like Gigenetcloud.com and other sites to check on prizes.

Shortly after my realizing that I really did want a dedicated server, the opportunity to get one presented itself, which is odd, given that I’m certainly not one of the luckiest people on the planet. In any event this lead me to Compare Gigenetcloud to Other Providers and determine which one would be the most feasible. Essentially a few friends and I got together to split the cost of a server and while I still pay the majority between the 3 of us, I don’t really mind because it is well worth it given the benefits, like daily and weekly back ups, and never having to worry that my site is going to be slow and cumbersome due to an overload on the server because of all the other sites sharing the space as well. All in all, I’m pretty pleased with having a server and given the numerous sites I own– it’s well worth it!

Current Mood:  lazy

For the past several weeks, I have seemed quite distant to a lot of people. Some assumed that this was due largely in part because of Jenn, which isn’t the case at all because I wasn’t talking to her either. What a lot of people fail to understand about the person I am is that I have a big heart and with that I feel emotions of those around me to a higher degree than others—all of this leads to and can only result in one thing: it drains me. A LOT.

My sudden disinterest in communicating with people is not because I’ve gotten close to someone else and therefore block out others, it’s due to the fact that any energy I had was utilized and I am working on re-energizing myself which I am unable to do if I talk with others and try and help them through their problems. I know that’s selfish and I know it hurts a lot of people, but I hope that you can at least understand that given the person I am and the fact that I feel so deeply and strongly for those I care about, it taxes me as well.

I am emotionally tired and just do not have the fuel nor the capacity to continue to hold conversations and act interested when I have nothing left to give. If you know me at all, you know that I would never ever want you to feel as if you’re being ignored but at the same time I do not think it’s fair to attempt to talk with others when I know I just do not have the energy to give what I would normally.

So for anyone who’s been hurt by my lack of desire to talk or lack of interest, I sincerely apologize and I hope that from this point forward you will understand that it’s not you or anyone else for that matter; it’s me, it always has and always will be and I hope you can forgive me for that.

Current Mood:  drained

When Robby and I were house haunting, one of the biggest factors for us was the look and space of the kitchen. I am very particular about how the kitchen is because I don’t like to feel crowded when more than one person is in there and as a result we turned down several houses due to the lack of space in the kitchen.

While I do love and enjoy the space in the kitchen we have now, I also really would like to have an island in the kitchen because I like to bake and I think it would make things easier on me. The problem is the way the kitchen is constructed which places the sink right where the bar is which means when we decided to remodel we’ll have to make a lot of adjustments, which includes knocking the bar out and then moving the sink to another location.

Despite that, I’m pretty excited about checking out Stainless Steel Kitchen Sinks for our future kitchen and I think I will definitely take a look online because I have found that generally the selection is much larger. Are there any remodels you want to do for your home or are considering? If so, what and why those changes or additions in particular?

Current Mood:  excited

When Robby and I first started to considering signing up for DirecTV we were taken aback with how many different companies had similar offers with similar packages and line ups. It was also very difficult because we heard a lot of good things from everyone who had signed with all these different companies like DishNetwork or DirecTV by DirectSatTV and it got to be a little overwhelming in deciding which company was going to work the best for us.

Ultimately what we found it boiled down to was research. We took the time to investigate all the companies we were considering which at the time was DishNetwork, DirecTV, and DirectSatTV. First and foremost we compared DishNetwork pacakges, with DirecTV packages, and DirecTV packages by DirectSatTV to see which company had more bang for the buck so to speak which narrowed the results for us to DirecTV and DirectSatTV.

Ultimately when it boiled down to it, we decided to go through the actual DirecTV corporation to ensure that government dish rules were observed properly where we live because we don’t really live in the city and wanted to make sure there were no issues regarding that particular aspect. All in all we’re pretty pleased with our purchase and are quite thrilled with DirecTV. DirecTV by DirectSatTV offers the same packages as DirecTV but seems to be widely available to those who don’t necessarily fall within the DirecTV servicing area, which is a nice alternative for those who want DirecTV service but live in an area where DirecTV does not operate.

Current Mood:  tired

Ever since I was introduced into the sex toy review world, I have been branching out a little by reaching out to other companies and offering my services. I feel I have a lot to offer to my readers given Robby’s participation in my reviews and I think it’s always nice to get the thoughts of both a man and female, especially when it involves sex.

Recently I reached out to Babeland.com as a means to expand my horizons and I am super excited to get started. I have heard wonderful things about the company from several people and the girls at toywithme.com have always highly praised them.

So for those of you who are currently reviewing sex toys and are interested in another company to correspond with, I would go with Babeland.com, given how prompt they responded to my inquiry; and while, I, myself have yet to review one of their products when I initially reached out to the company, I received a prompt response and feel that was a good indicator of the type of company I would be dealing with. I’m really looking forward to getting started and hope that I am able to provide reviews which are helpful in your sex toy decision process¹.

1. Because we all know how extremely important this is.

Current Mood:  excited

One of the biggest relationship killers (well at least in my opinion¹) is often taking your significant other for granted. The little things done out of love are expected and overlooked which often results in resentment.

For the most part, while I wouldn’t say I resent Robby, he is hurting me with his attitude of late. When he makes dinner every night I make a point to say thank you because I realize he doesn’t have to and he does it because he enjoys it and loves me. Now I will openly admit that I didn’t always use to thank him for his actions, but after a few tiffs here and there and his continual mention of feeling unappreciated for making dinner, I made more of an effort to recognize what he does.

I can’t say the same for him when it comes to me and it hurts. A LOT.

Yesterday when he came home and saw that the leftovers from last night had not been put away, he started slamming drawers and cabinets which only lead to my anger and frustration so I told him to just forget it and not worry about making dinner. He stormed off in a huff saying, “FINE!” and went upstairs.

After I calmed down, I went upstairs to talk to him and told him that he acts more like a girl then I do because instead of just telling me what’s wrong he starts slamming shit which only serves to piss me off. So he says to me, “I asked you to put the food away last night.” and I said, “Um, I didn’t hear you say that.” and he follows by saying, “Well, I said that and you all got up and so I assumed you had heard me.” I laughed and said, “We all got up to wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen because you had cooked dinner.”

Finally we were able to resolve that little issue, but then he and I got into it again later and to be honest I’m not even sure what it was about, but his negative attitude and lack of appreciation for what does get done finally took its toll and I broke down crying last night while he slept. I just feel like what I do it’s never good enough. I can do one thing but it doesn’t matter because that didn’t get done so it negates any of the effort that I put in.

I’m just tired and hurt and fed up of feeling like it’s never enough, more specifically I’m never enough. A thank you goes a long way and I don’t think that it’s too much to ask—but maybe I’m wrong?

1. Cause we know mine’s the only one that counts.

Current Mood:  depressed

One of the biggest aspects we had to consider about being homeowners was insurance and which company offered the best rates. We looked at several business insurance quotes, along with what the company offered in terms of coverage before we could really make a decision as to what would work best for us.

On top of our quote checking we were also bombarded with offers from all kinds of insurance companies, which ranged from Alaska business insurance and Hawaii business insurance quotes. To be perfectly honest, it was beyond over welling.

I suppose part of the reason for that is because we had companies that were constantly try to push us into agreeing to accept their coverage and their terms and phone calls were constantly coming in. It got to the point where I absolutely refused to answer my phone if I did not recognize the number and as a result, I’m still that way now.

Despite the hassle and the headache we finally found a company that we were familiar with and gave us the coverage we were looking for. It was a very frustrating time but I guess in the long run it was worth it because now we have an insurance company we adore!

Current Mood:  bored

As we draw closer and closer to the holidays and Black Friday starts to creep up on us, there are a lot of things that need to be considered. Yes, we’re the crazy people that camp outside, you know assuming that there are products in the ad that’s worth camping—but I digress.

In any event, part of the biggest worries for those who have never camped out before is crowd control. They assume that the camping out would entail a mass riot of sorts and as a result they tend to shy away from the velvet rope, so to speak.

The truth is though, a lot of companies do a great job managing the large crowds by using barricades or stanchions to block off areas were consumers are not allowed to access. It’s actually relatively safe and in the years that Robby and I have camped, we’ve never been scared of being trampled by a crazy crowd.

So for those of you who have considered camping, but are too afraid based on what you think the experience will entail, I can ensure you it’s not as bad as you would assume. It’s actually pretty fun and I would recommend that everyone do it at least once in their lifetime!

Current Mood:  apathetic

When you hear the term testosterone creams, what jumps to mind? For me, it’s just like the term implies testosterone as a cream. You’d think given the term and all that I would be right which would in turn mean you’re right (assuming you thought exactly what I did), well my friends we’re wrong.

Yes, wrong.

Apparently testosterone cream is actually a pill. I know right, what the fuck? I mean seriously, wouldn’t it just be easier and smarter for that matter to say testosterone pill? I mean, it makes sense and it would be describing the product, item etc. exactly was it should be described—but apparently, it was easier or maybe the marketing “experts” thought it was much more clever to call it a cream. All I have to say to that line of thinking is, whatever—grow a brain.

In any event, I guess it’s a pill that men can take to as hormone replacement therapy, if they have low levels of testosterone. The pills can help with things like sex drive, hair loss, and impotency—but come on, it’s a man, do we honestly really think they’re going to openly admit that they suffer from any of the items listed?

Yeah, I didn’t think so either—unless there happens to be a woman in picture because at that point, they wouldn’t have much of a choice.

Current Mood:  amused

As many of you know from this post, we adopted another Pit Bull, Trouble after I saw him on Craigslist. When we had first acquired him he was in BAD shape. On one side of his body he had a big patch of fur missing and was all red and splotchy and on top of that his paws were just as worse, if not more.
They were HUGE because they were swollen and very bloody. So bloody in fact that he was leaving blood marks on our carpet and had a lot of difficulty walking on our gravel when he went outside to use the rest room because he was in so much pain.

In short, it broke my heart.

After doing a bit of research, I found out that he has eczema. We knew when we got him he had allergies, but I wasn’t aware of how bad these allergies were until I saw him. We continued the course of treatments of antibiotics and after a few weeks, his symptoms started to get better and I noticed a considerably difference in him.

Every now and again his symptoms start to flare up again, but they’re much more manageable and not as bad as when we first got him. This makes me happy because I could see how much pain he was in and how uncomfortable he was. I just wish there was a true fix, but I know there’s not and there won’t truly ever be one.

Current Mood:  moody

You know it’s so funny to realize how much the world has changed from just 10 years ago. Once upon a time when diet pills and fat burners like apidexin were not of anyone’s concern, the world in my opinion was better off.

I understand the market for such items, especially given the huge focus health and obesity during these last 10 years, but I am also a believer that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to monitor your diet and exercise. I know I do not really have a right to comment on this given that my struggles with weight have always been in gaining weight and losing it, but even despite that I still worry about the lasting effects of taking a short cut, so to speak.

It’s always nice to believe that with the good doesn’t come back, but unfortunately that theory doesn’t ever hold out, especially where drugs are concerned. It’s always funny to see commercials about new drugs out on the market and then the side effects which follow them. I think people tend to forget about this when it comes to their weight and a way out and I hope that for the sake of us all the repercussions aren’t too great.

Current Mood:  bored

Those who know me, know that one of my biggest pet peeves is having someone not listen when I ask them to do something or just decide that whatever they’re doing is much more important than my request. If you’re trying to get my blood boiling, that’s probably the best way to go about it because not only do I feel disrespected but I also feel very devalued.

A great example of this is when I was younger and I asked one of my sisters to get me one of the hand dryers. It wasn’t of great importance but for them to acknowledge my request and then wait about 45 minutes before fulfilling it really frustrates me. It’s true that I could just get it on my own and alleviate the middle man, but usually if I make a request for someone to do something for me it’s because I’m currently pre-occupied with something much more important and can’t go about doing it myself or I am physically or mentally unable to do it.

If I had to pick one of the biggest annoyances when it comes to Robby and our marriage, I would definitely have to say it’s that. It’s frustrating and half the time I end up just doing it myself and turn around to find him all sad and pouty because he choose to wait before doing what I asked. As much as I see how upset he is about the situation, given that it has happened on numerous occasions and continues to happen, I refuse to apologize for it nor do I think I should.

It’s not my fault he can’t do what’s asked of him to begin with and that ultimately when it boils down to it, I’m better off doing it myself then relying on him.

Current Mood:  annoyed

Last night Robby and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary and his birthday. We didn’t do a lot or anything really special, but despite that I had a great time and the night reminded me yet again, why it is I fell in love with him to begin with.

There are few people in this world or in my life that get me. Fewer who are of the opposite sex. I suppose it is this reason alone that I have always had such difficulty in maintaining friendships and relationships because while I thought they understood and got it, I was only disillusioned and when it meant the most, when things mattered the most, true colors always came out and often times I was left starring at the backs of those I had called friends and lovers, only to discover that when the going got tough, it was much easier to just walk away.

In truth, given the problems Robby and I have faced, a lot of people in our shoes, particularly his would have adopted that same mentality. Because if I am honest with myself, which I have no problems being, it would have been much easier for him if he had just walked away. I think deep down, he knew this, but rather then give into that instinctual desire to protect yourself after you’ve been hurt, he choose instead to overcome it and resolved himself into fixing what had been broken.

I am lucky beyond any shadow of doubt and I realize this. I have a man who loves me, despite my flaws and mistakes and who despite what everyone had told him and what I had assumed would have been the course of action he took, decided instead to take another path. Love isn’t about having someone who loves you when it’s convenient to them– well at least not for me. It’s about having someone who sees the easy way out, knows it’s an option, and instead shoulders on because you’re worth it.

In all my life, I have never had that, even from the very woman who pushed me from her womb and so when I think of love and what it means to me, I look at my husband and just know that love is there inside him. In every step he takes and every move he makes, even the ones that drive me up the wall– because when it boils down to it, the love he has for me and I for him transcends the little irritations and scawbles, because love isn’t about having a relationship where you don’t fight, argue, or disagree, love is knowing that even despite all that, you can wake up the next morning and just know that your special someone is there and always will be.

To my husband, my best friend, and my knight in shining whatever of 5 years, I love you and thank you for being who you are and never wavering in your love for me. Happy Anniversary, baby.

Current Mood:  grateful

As much as I want to follow Cesar’s advice about walking the dogs every single day for at least 2 hours, given how hot it gets in Arizona, that’s very difficult to do. I had been getting up at five every morning, but after awhile it just started to kill me and so I stopped.

As the summer continues, it only gets hotter and hotter and despite it being night it’s still too hot to walk the dogs and as a result they have not been getting their exercise. Due to the whole heat issue during the summer, I have started to look into used tread mills as a tool to use to exercise the dogs during the summer.

We had originally looked at new fitness equipment, but after discovering that new tread mills start at about $650 dollars, we decided it was best to go used. So far I haven’t found anything on Craigslist that matches the criteria we’re looking for, but I’m really starting to get desperate. The lack of exercise is clearly showing through, given the dogs rambunctious behavior and the fact that they don’t listen as readily as they used to.

I really hope we’re able to find something soon because I hate not being able to walk them, but it’s just too hot for me and for them if I do try to walk them. I can’t wait until summer is over!

Current Mood:  sick

When I was just a kid, sports, well particularly basketball was a HUGE part of my family’s life. It wasn’t uncommon to see us crowded around the television, watching the Chicago Bulls play against a competitor and screaming in frustration when the ref made a bad call. Of course back in the day we didn’t really have cable companies that provided such services like Time Warner sports or Cox sports, so all of his was watched on a standard cable box.

Now though, given Michael Jordan’s decision to retire, sports is no longer a huge part of our lives. It’s not that I’ve lost interest or that it’s not something I would enjoy now, it’s just that I haven’t found another team which I felt so passion and dedicated for. A lot of people say look down on me for only having loved the Bulls when Michael Jordan was on the team, but if I’m honest that’s when I felt they were at their best. As a family we continued to watch them even after Jordan left, but for us the team wasn’t the same and as a result, nor was watching them.

Despite that, there is one event I have always wanted to see live, because it just looks like it would be so much fun watching live, even though I’m not really familiar with the sport at all, but despite all that I still think it would be amazing if I could get a sunday ticket to see a hockey game live. From what I hear it’s pretty amazing and entertaining, which is better than most sports in my book!

Current Mood:  blah

It’s been quite some time since I did a meme and I have actually missed it, so I figured hey, why not? Plus on top of that I really do adore the questions for this week’s Friday 5 and as a result I just had to give my two cents– but come on, who didn’t see that coming? After all, it is me and you all know (it’s okay you can admit) miss reading about how absolutely riveting I am (okay so what if that’s just in my own little world). In any event, today I present you with my happily ever after… or at least one version of it.

1. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the knight in shining armor?
2. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the evil villain?
3. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the loyal, comedic sidekick?
4. In the fairy tale of your life, what comes right after “Once upon a time…?”
5. In the fairy tale of your life, who is the fairy godmother?

1. Robby of course! Now, I wouldn’t necessarily say knight in shining armor– more like knight in shining whatever given that he is an oof, but he’s my oof and I love him even more for that.

2. Okay so it’s not really a villain, okay well it’s my villain but it’s not a person and even if you think it doesn’t count, when I tell you what it is, you’ll say it does! Okay ready? My evil villain is bills. Yup that’s right. The pesky mortgage, car payment and utilities that I am forced to pay each month.

3. My loyal, comedic sidekick is none other than my whoremonger Jennfur, because I mean come on, who wouldn’t laugh at someone who manages to trip over their own feet going down the stairs and ends up breaking their tail bone? Yup, I laughed too.

4. Oh this is probably beyond hilarious, because hello I’m not exactly conventional, but if I had to choose I’d probably say Once upon a time there lived a very misguided Princess– well at least that’s what her parents believed….

5. My fairy godmother? I get one of those? Neat! Wow, let me think on that one… I think it boils down to two people, if I’m honest. My mother-in-law who I love dearly though she does have the tendency to drive me crazy at times and Danika who always manages to be that voice of rationality in my head, especially when I’m thinking about doing something crazy, which let’s face it is about 99.9% of the time.

Current Mood:  amused