My Favorite Apps for the iPad

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 A few months back my husband and I made the decision to buy an Apple iPad 2.  We figured since they were bringing out the iPad 3 that the iPad 2 would be cheaper, which they were by like $200.

At first I was reluctant to buy one since I already had an iPod touch my husband owns the iPhone 4, and the two older kids each have a touch as well. 

With all these Apple products I didn't feel the need to add on.  However, after giving it more thought and reading all the reviews about how many educational programs there are for the iPad, I decided that our family (at least Ross, my youngest) could benefit from one. 

I have to say after having this thing for a few months it has become my favorite piece of technology.  I'm able to call anyone or text anyone through face time as long as they own an iPad, iPod, or iPhone.  This comes in handy since I don't own a cell phone.  I can write post's for my blog anywhere I go, and it has built in Internet if I ever want to pay 15 a month for it.  Not to mention all the handy educational programs for my three year old. 

Because I'm in the sharing mood.... haha, I decided to share with you my favorite list of apps.

For kids

Disney's Toy Story Digital Book (free, this is my favorite free app for him so far, it reads the story out loud in the voices of the actual characters, also shows sciences from the movie)

Lego Jams (free)

Elmo Loves ABC's Lite (free, but if you want the full version it's $5)

Play 123 (free)

For adults

You Version Holy Bible ( free, this is such a great app, it has different programs for bible study, and daily devotions.  Also if you have the option to either read it yourself or have the guy read it to you)

Apple Office ($10 a piece, very helpful if you have to do any school work, or write anything, this has been such a great helpful tool for me)

Bills Free (free, keeps track of when your bills are due, how much you owe, and how much is past due)

Houzz (free, love having this free app with tons of home inspirations)

So there you have it, my favorite app's list.  I hope to find more that I really love but for now these are the ones I use most often, I'll let you know if I find any great free apps or cheap apps that are note worthy.

I'm sure I have forgotten a few or just don't know of them so if you have any apps you would like to add to the list please feel free to do so.   I would love to add to my list.  

I Finally Got Some Common Sense

Here lately I have been itchy, like all over.  I know great way to start a post. 

Seriously though it started with my legs then all over.  and not just a little itchy like drive me crazy itchy.  At first I thought it could be my laundry soap, but I have been using the same brand for a few years.  Then I thought I might have some very weird form of cancer, and might actually be dying after looking up severe itchiness on WebMD.  But when I voiced my concern to Mr. Fireman he just rolled his eyes (he's very use 

to me searching up symptoms on WebMD) and said "its probably just your soap".  

As if I didn't already think of that, but since my body wash is the same brand I have used forever it never crossed my mind.  I figured since I'm getting older my skin must be changing.  So off to the local health food 

store I went to buy some kind of organic body wash. 

 I love looking and smelling all the different natural body washes that are made with actual essential oils, especially anything made with peppermint, lemon, or lavender.  Those three are my favorite scents they just 

put me in a good mood and make me smile.  

Anyhoo, I came across this body wash called Common Sense Peppermint Body Wash made with all natural ingredients and smelled like of course, peppermint. 

Ingredients: mint infusion, castile soap (saponified oils of olive, palm, coconut & castor) , peppermint essential oil,  rosemary extract, & grapefruit seed extract

 I've only been using it for a short time now but already my skin feels so much better.  

I guess Mr. Fireman was right after all. 

So if you are like me and you love smelling like a stick of gum, you should defiantly try some Common Sense.

Oh and My Hubby loves it as well, he has severe allergies and he says when he uses it, it helps him breathe better, and the scent actually carries into the rest of the house.  I was able to smell it all the way in the living room.  Great stuff!!

Has anyone else ever tried this stuff??  If so what did you think of it??  

Have a lovely weekend everyone, I have a graduation to get ready for.  My sweet Nephew is graduating out of Pre-K  today :)

Saying "See Ya" to my 20's

And Hi'ya to my 30's 

My 20's were such a crazy whirlwind time for me, as well as for my hubby.  It first started at age 20 when I was fortunate enough to land my dream job, then I got married to the most wonderful man ever, had a baby making it two, bought a house, lost my dream job, lost my house, had another baby, and started college.  All in that very same order.  Of course other things happened but those were my "main events" sort of speak.  And while I did have some heartbreaks and misfortunes I would not have changed any part of it.  I love where I am today, and I'm very excited to start a new chapter in my life.  

Because I  love setting goals and making list here is what I'm planning for my 30's, and while I'm not really sure what my future holds, I do know that I'm going to make the very best of whatever cards I'm dealt.  So without further adieu my Turning 30's To Do List.

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1)    I won't let other people determine my happiness

2)    I will focus more on my family and less on myself

3)    Church will be more of a priority than it has been this last year

4)    The past is just that, and I will remind myself that I can't change it

5)    Visit Colorado with my family

6)    Visit New York with my family

7)    Enjoy watching my daughter turn into a young lady (she will be 20 before I get out of my 30's)

8)    Continue on with my blog

9)    Buy a house

10)   Start nursing school

11)   Finish nursing school

12)   Get fit

13) Join a fitness class (and stick with it)

14)  Learn to love this Texas heat

15)  Take cooking classes with the hubb's

Well that's about it, it's not a very long or even a very exciting list, but I'm sure I can add to it later.  Right now I just want to set small workable goals.

And guess what I'm so happy to be 

I'm curious, what are some goals on your list?? Did you wait till you were 30 to go back to school, or get fit???  

Avocado Face Mask

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While on the 100 day vegan challenge I have been eating a ton of avocados, and since here lately they have been on sale I've been buying even more than I can eat.  So what do I do with all those left over avocados???  I make a face mask.  Avocados have vitamins C, and K.  And more than any other fruit avocados have the highest amount of vitamin E than any other fruit according to Live Strong.

Something I didn't know about avocados is that avocados contain sterolins which help produce more skin collagen and reduce the incidence of age spots.  Avocados are also moisturizing, and hydrating to the skin. 

Hallelujah!!!  This is just what my dry skin needs.  :)

To make an avocado face mask just mash 1/2 the avocado in a bowl (save the rest for later)

1 tablespoon of olive oil, (optional)

7 broken capsules of vitamin E

Mix well and smear on a clean dry face, neck, and décolleté.  Leave on for 10-15 min rinse off with warm water and follow up with a good moisturizer.

Easy peasy pudding pop!!

*this mask is very messy so don't wear good clothes, or just do this mask right before getting into the shower*

Don't forget if you have any leftover you could also do a great hand or foot facial. 

Happy Friday!!!

Summer Love

Summer is just around the corner, for some of us especially here in the Great State of Texas we are already experiencing summer temperatures and have been for a month or more. 

This could explain my excitement for July to hurry up and get here.  July is my favorite summer month, I especially love the colors red, white, and blue, and our oldest son was born July 8th, also one of my favorite holiday's is in July.

So while skimming through the PB website I came across some inspiration pictures for a Fourth of July gathering, or just a backyard Summer BBQ. 

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Don’t that get you all in the mood for summer???  If not maybe this will.

Ahhhh Summer, I can't wait.  :)

Ruthie's Homemade Fabric Softener

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Fabric softener is one of those things I usually end up waiting to buy on the next pay check.  I always forget about it until it’s too late.  When I do buy fabric softener I spend about $5 a box which I have to say is a bit pricy. 

One good tip I read about was that you can cut the dryer sheets in half making them last double time. 

Unfortunately, I'm one of those people who add like three dryer sheets to one load, yes I understand this is wasteful but I love the softness and the scent it leaves behind.

A while back I posted a recipe for Ruthie's favorite homemade laundry detergent.  Yesterday she sent me her recipe for homemade fabric softener to go with her homemade laundry detergent. .

In a one gallon jug, add three cups of distilled vinegar,

One bottle of your favorite scented vo5 hair conditioner,

And 8 cups of HOT water,

Shake well until all the conditioner is dissolved, add 1/2 a cup to your laundry.

I have wanted to do this for a while, I can't wait to give this a try!!!

Have any of you ever made your own fabric softener or laundry detergent??  What did you think about it??  

Spicy Kale Chips

 

Since being on my 100 Day Vegan Challenge I have been trying to replace all my favorite fatty foods with healthier tasty foods.  With so many options to choose from it's not hard to come across a delicious recipe somewhere. 

A while back I bought a bag of kale chips from our local Whole Foods Store as recommended by the store clerk, and was very excited to try these things that everyone had been singing praises about.  Once I took one bite I just knew all those people had to be out of their minds crazy.  Those things were the most nasty tasting things I have ever tried.  I could care less how healthy they were I was not going to eat them.  I ended up wasting $10 (I bought two flavors).  A pretty expensive loss but no one liked them, so what else was I to do??

Later on I came across a recipe for kale chips on allrecipes.com which had great reviews, (more crazy people) but they did look pretty good, and the reviews from everyone was pretty convincing so I decided I was going to make my own and pray for them to turn out better. 

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Guess what? My prayers were answered, my kale chips turned out fantastic!!!  I LOVE THEM!!!  Their light and airy and crispy, and Kale is only around three dollars a bag at Walmart. 

I sprayed Pam on them and sprinkled them with sea salt and hot pepper flakes; I set the stove temperature at 350 degrees and let them bake for about 12 minutes.  I ate half the bag in one setting, seriously tasty.  And so healthy. 

I think I'm going to have some spicy kale chips with my vegan burger tonight for dinner.  What are your plans for dinner tonight?? Anyone else love kale chips too???

Drive in Theater Night

Last night the new movie The Avengers came out at our local Drive In Theater at midnight last night, so on the spur of a moment we decided to load the kids into the car and as a family go see the movie we have been waiting to see.   Don't worry the kids were off from school today due to Cinco De Mayo

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It's a lot of fun to go to the Drive in Theatre because it's so laid back, we bring the kids in their pjs, fill the back of the car with blankets and pillows, and although you’re not supposed to, we pack up a good amount of fruit, and snacks to bring to make it even more cheaper.  But to be fair Mr. Fireman always buys their popcorn, and the occasional burger. 

We have never done a midnight showing so by the time we got home everyone was wiped out and we were able to sleep in a little today, which never ever happens. 

The drive in cost was a total of $24 which included all our tickets and large popcorn. I would say that was pretty good, compared to paying almost $10 a person at a regular movie theatre.

I hope y'all all have a great weekend.

What are your plans for this weekend??? 

PS.  Great Movie!!!

Vintage Find

I have a great love for vintage stuff, all the colors of vintage linens, and art, I can sometimes spend all day on Etsy just browsing through the vintage housewares section and wishing that I had thousands of dollars just to buy everything on my favorites list. 

Recently I came across some old vintage advertisements that I fell in love with from this shop I added a few to my favorites list, these are a few that I added.

I love the look on the husbands face
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The colors on this print are so happy and bright
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Vintage DIY
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Last week I gave in and bought one.  Yep I splurged and figured this was my early Birthday present from my hubby.  Guess which one I bought.

1947 original advertisement
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Did you guess right??  Of course you did, how could you not?? 

 I LOVE it!!  I love it so much that instead of getting buyer’s remorse like I usually do, I sort of designed an imaginary room around my pretty vintage print. 

Eventually I plan to display it in a nice white frame, but for now it's just going to sit in the closet waiting for a home.

What are some of your favorites from Etsy??  Do you love vintage stuff as much as I do?

Vegan Banana Strawberry Ice Cream

I found this recipe for banana ice cream off Pinterest,  all you have to do is freeze the bananas in the freezer for a few hours, then put them in the blender and add a pinch of vanilla, and a little cinnamon if you like.  I also added just a bit of almond milk to help my very old blender chop the bananas better.  It thickens up like soft serve ice cream and it taste really really good.  I added frozen strawberries to mine to give it even more flavor. It's a healthier alternative to regular dairy ice scream, and  you could add anything you like, the possibilities are endless.  One that I would like to try is an almond joy flavor, by adding dark vegan chocolate, and shredded coconut, topped off with a little bit of crushed up almonds.  Yumm!!  Sounds good to me.  What are some favors you would like to try???

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Ps. I have only been doing the 100 day vegan challenge now for a few days, but I am feeling crazy energized.  It's strange because the first time I tried this, my body went into detox mode and I felt awful..  So far I feel just fine and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.  I hope this is a good thing, I really do.

This taste really good, but my favorite part about it is the price. a whole bundle of bananas cost only a dollar and the rest of the ingredients I always have on hand.  So much cheaper than Blue Bell or Ben and Jerry's.