What Lies Within The Mirror

Ouchies!

2007-10-30T14:47:19Z

While I was out shopping yesterday, I managed to trip/fall and twist my ankle. Grrrr. I hate that I'm such a klutz and that I almost always fall in public. I think I'm used to looking like a fool though. So, I simply pick myself up and go about my day.

I'm feeling rather banged up today. No trip to the gym for me. *pouts* I can't believe I've become such a dedicated gym person, but I am. I hate missing a daily workout. It's not all about the exercise though. That's a big part, but I miss the social time as well. It's my one chance in the day to really interact with people. However, I know better then to push my ankle. It needs at least one day of rest. I'm still pouting though!

I may go out long enough to buy a new ankle brace. Who knows where my last one went. It probably didn't even make the move from Indiana.

Get Your Tactical Gear

2007-10-30T14:00:39Z

If you are a former military member or simply love police/military gear, you should check out 511 Tactical. This blog offers a variety of great deals on tactical gear. You could find a great deal for the military/police people in your life. It's a fairly new blog looking to expand it's readership. Go check it out!

This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to 511 Tactical

Last Chance For TS!

2007-10-29T18:17:27Z

One last call for anyone who wants some of my TS products. Every item 5.00 each plus 5.00 s/h. If interested, leave a comment. I accept paypal and personal checks just let me know your preference. If you need my address for payment, leave a comment or email me at reid@rarereflection.com

seraaalicious & lfs, your packages will be going out this week!

Warm The Oven Savory Cheese Dip ~~2 Available~~ 1 Available

Raspberry Divine Dessert Sauce ~~2 Available~~ 1 Available

Rhubarb Strawberry Fruit Spread 1 Available

Balsamic&Basil Dipping Oil ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Fiesta Party Dip Mix ~~2 Available~~ ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Bacon Bacon ~~2 Available~~ 1 Available

Onion Onion ~~2 Available~~ 1 Available

Spinach&Herb Dip Mix ~~2 Available~~ Taken

Nana's Apple Cake Mix 2 Available

Oh My Chai! ~~2 Available~~ Taken

Savory Wheat Beer Bread ~~2 Available~~ Taken

Absolutely Almond Pound Cake ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Bountiful Beer Bread ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Corn Black Bean Salsa ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Key Lime Cheese Ball Mix 3 Available

The Trio ~~1 Available~~

Chocolate Ugly Cake ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Wahoo Chili ~~1 Available~~ Taken

Cinnamon Muffin Melt 1 Available

Wild Rice Soup Mix 2 Available

Italian Romano Cheese Ball Mix 2 Available

Items No Longer Available On The Site But Still Fabulous!

Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix 1 Available

Twzzleberry Drink Mix 1 Available

Creamy Cucumber Dip Mix 1 Available

Lemon Dill Sauce 1 Available

Red Bell Pepper Sauce 1 Available

Chipotle Ranch Dressing 1 Available

Monterey Cheese Sauce Mix 1 Available

Caramel Bliss Cheese Ball Mix 1 Available

Milan Pasta Sauce Mix 2 Available

Weekend Review

2007-10-29T18:05:08Z

Where did my weekend go? I swear time is passing way too quickly these days.

E took Friday off from work. He said he needed some "Me Time". So, he spent some time doing his own stuff and I went about my normal day. We were going to meet up with one of his friends for drinks/etc, but got tired of waiting around. Eventually, we headed off to a little bar/grille for a late dinner. He called his friend and apparently he got home late.

So, he invited us to meet up with him and a few other people the following night at a local bar. Saturday afternoon was fairly quiet. We grabbed an early dinner and did some grocery shopping. When we headed over to the bar at 6pm, it was pretty busy. I had never been there before, but E assures me that it's not normally as loud or busy. His friend wasn't there. E called him and found out he wasn't going to be there until around 8pm. So, we figured we'd have a drink and then head home for awhile and return later. The bar is probably 10 minutes from our house if even that far.

Well, one of the guys there knows E and decided to buy us a round of drinks. So, we ended up having 2 drinks. Unfortunately, this guy was already pretty smashed and it wasn't even 7pm yet. He came over to talk to us, but E got distracted by someone else he knew. That left this very loud and very drunk man talking to ME. He kept touching my shoulders and such. It was really starting to annoy me. Thankfully, he stopped talking to us after a bit and staggered towards other people he knew. That's when we left. E said I didn't have to come back with him later on if I didn't want to. That was fine with me!

Just as the World Series game was getting ready to start and E was about to leave, our power went out. It flickered a few times and then went out for good. It remained out for over 2 hours. E didn't feel comfortable leaving me home alone with the power out. So, he stayed home with me instead of heading to the bar. It's quite possible that the bar could have been without power as well. We're not sure how far the blackout went. That made for a very quiet Saturday night though.

Yesterday, E made beef stew. I don't usually let him cook, but I figured he couldn't mess this up and he really wanted to do it. It turned out really well. It cooked all day in the crockpot. While it was cooking, we went out to grab some lunch and buy some beer for beer bread. I figured it'd go really well with the stew which it did. When we were at the liquor store and walked up to the checkout line, E's Dad was in line ahead of us. How crazy is that? There are several liquor stores between our house and the one we ended up at. It's really odd that we ended up at the same liquor store and at the same time. After dinner, E decorated the front yard for Halloween and porch for Halloween. Then, the evening was spent watching the baseball game.

Overall, it was a quiet but relaxing weekend. This coming weekend is E's birthday. He's not much into celebrating, but I'm hoping he'll let me take him somewhere special for dinner at least.

Christmas Trees To Your Door!

2007-10-26T17:00:42Z

I love fresh Christmas trees. While growing up, we always had a real tree every year. My parents have opted to go the artificial route for many years now. We do too. Though, I'd prefer a real tree. I love the smell and helps to add a little more Christmas spirit.

Don't have time to go pick out your own tree? You can have one delivered right to your door! Don't stop there. You can also have Christmas wreaths and Christmas garland delivered as well. Simply pick what you want and the date you want it delivered. How easy is that? You don't have to give up tradition due to a busy schedule. You can have the tree sent to you! Or better yet, you could send a tree or wreath as a present. Spread a little Christmas spirit!

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to Christmasfarms.com

Lose Your Accent

2007-10-22T18:48:35Z

Have you ever thought that your accent might be holding you back? I remember an episode of King of Queens where Carrie attempts to lose her accent in hopes of getting a promotion. Some people love their voices, but others wish desperately to lose their native accents.

There are courses available for accent reduction. You don't have to let the sound of your voice hold you back any longer. While you're working at that, you could also learn a new language. That's another great way to make yourself more marketable in the workforce.

The course is geared towards non-native Americans who wish to reduce their native accent and sound more American. They are willing to work around your busy schedule and make training easy and enjoyable. What do you have to lose other then your accent?

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to Executive Language Training

6 months and counting

2007-10-22T18:36:50Z

E and I celebrated our first 6 months of marriage yesterday. Where did the time go? Seriously. I have no clue where those 6 months went. It flew by. I feel as if I blink I'll be at a year. We had a nice dinner at Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse. E had first suggested The Cheesecake Factory which I love, but I didn't feel like dealing with a long wait or the traffic. I'm sure we'll go there sometime this fall though.

There are days when I stop and think "I can't believe I'm married". It doesn't always seem real to me, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Sadly, my brother and sister-in-law are starting the process of getting a divorce. It makes me very sad to think about it. Now, I'm going to be the only married sibling. I can't imagine how my parents feel about this. I'm sure my Mother is heartbroken. I know it's weighing heavily on my mind as well.

If anything, their divorce makes me appreciate E even more. I'm thankful to have found him.

Get Paid To Blog

2007-10-19T01:20:28Z

Get paid to blog!

I discovered another great site, Smorty, that allows you to blog for money. I know that a lot of people are skeptical of these programs, but they are legitimate. If you have an active blog, why not get paid for blogging?

Smorty has a wide variety of advertising clients that pay you to review their products or sites. They don't tell you what to say. Most advertisers simply ask that you have a link back to their site in your post. How simple is that? Getting paid to blog is the new wave of internet advertising.

I have done a couple of assignments for them now and received my first payment shortly afterwards. So, I speak the truth that it's not a scam. It's a great way to make a little extra cash. Who doesn't need some extra holiday shopping money? It's easy and profitable.

Got a product or service to offer? Advertise on blogs!

If you enjoy blogging and would like to make a little extra money, check out Smorty.

Money Isn't Always Evil

2007-10-18T19:49:20Z

As most of you know, I have been writing some paid posts. Ya know, the reviews under the lj-cut tags. The individual reviews don't make me a lot of money, but they are slowly adding up. I've been using my new domain rarereflection for some paid opps as well.

It's nice to see my paypal balance growing on a regular basis. It can be frustrating at times to not be bringing in any money. My MT studies are progressing, but I still have some time to go on it. So, I'm happy to be able to earn a little cash. E's birthday is coming up and I'll actually be able to buy him something nice with the money from my blogging. That makes me feel good.

Even though I've lost a couple of "friends" due to my paid blogging, I'm happy that the rest of you have stuck around!

I might even be able to feed my new Lush addiction a little with my earnings. :)

Want to go to college?

2007-10-18T12:04:25Z

Have you ever thought about going back to college or even grad school? If the idea of writing long college admission essays stresses you out, you don't have to worry. Help is just a click away.

I honestly don't remember having to write an essay when I applied to college several years ago, but I'm sure I would dread the process. I believe I have strong writing skills, but it never hurts to get a second opinion. You always want to put your best foot forward. That's where sites like admissionessays.com come to the rescue. Rejection letters are no fun. So, why not give yourself the best chance possible for acceptance?

If I decided to go back to college, I would definitely get all the help I could afford.

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to AdmissionEssays

Random Thought

2007-10-15T19:53:11Z

While talking to my friend who owns the gym, we got on the topic of massages/massage therapists. She mentioned that the massage therapy has come a long way from the days of "massage parlors". She went on to add that she doesn't like the idea of getting a massage by a male therapist and that she'd feel uncomfortable.

Well, I have this weird knack of linking Seinfeld episodes with real life conversations and this was no exception. When she mentioned this, I automatically thought of the episode in which George gets a massage from a man. He doesn't want to have a male therapist because he's afraid it will feel good. So, I go looking on youtube for Seinfeld clips. Sure enough, I came across a clip from the episode I referred to in my conversation this morning.

For your enjoyment...

Coupons For Everybody!

2007-10-15T18:01:25Z

Who doesn't love Online Coupons? They really do make online shopping a lot more affordable. This particular site is updated daily with new coupons from a variety of companies. You never know what you might stumble across. Plus, I found the site to be very easy to navigate.

Being the foodie that I am, I love all the Cooking.com coupons. Even better, I can find Disney Store Coupons for the little kid in me. There are coupons available for every type of shopping you enjoy. I even came across Kohls. My Mom will love those coupons.

If you're in the mood to shop online, check this site out. You'll be glad you did.

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to NCNatural.

Case of the Mondays

2007-10-15T17:52:22Z

I'm not sure if it's my back injury or just a serious case of the Mondays, but I'm feeling crummy today. I managed to get some sleep last night and woke up early to study. The rest of the day (thus far) seems like a blur of nothingness.

I managed to go to the gym and weigh-in for our Biggest Loser contest. I didn't work out though. Yeah, I'm hard-headed but even I know my limits. A work out wasn't in the cards. I'll see how I feel in the morning and decide whether I can handle any exercise. I might be able to at least use the treadmill.
Any exercise would be better then nothing.

When I weighed in, I was down another pound. That makes four since we started the contest three weeks ago. I'll take it! Hopefully, I can keep this going. That's one reason why I want to get back to my workouts as soon as possible.

I'm tempted to go crash on the couch with a movie, but I think I might do some extra studying this afternoon.

Fundraiser Supplies

2007-10-14T22:03:34Z

When I was little, we normally sold candy for fundraising or maybe gift wrap. These days, things certainly have changed. Having a fundraiser? Sell silicone bracelets. They are easily the #1 fundraiser item. Everyone loves to wear the trendy little bracelets. I remember we used to sell them at my last retail job and they sold quite well.

The experts at arcmktg.com can help you design your own bracelets. They can also help you design the ever popular car magnets. Forget the empty calories of candy! Offer people items they can actually use and wear. No matter who/what you are raising money for, you can design a product to fit your needs.

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to arcmktg.com

Ow!

2007-10-14T21:55:03Z

I wrenched my lower back yesterday morning. "Ow" doesn't begin to describe what I was really feeling or saying. Some of you may remember that a few years back, I took a nasty fall on the ice and hurt my lower back. When I went to bend over yesterday and pour food in Tig's bowl, I must have triggered that old injury.

I spent most of yesterday moving as little as possible. I used a combination of heat rub, heating pad and a long soak in the tub, but the muscles would not loosen up. Sadly, I'm still not moving much today and am poppin' advils like candy. I would kill for a muscle relaxer! Feelin' so crummy that I actually broke down and had a glass of soda today. I managed to last 3 weeks without a drop though.

Back to the heating pad for me...

Lush Love!

2007-10-12T19:23:06Z

sisterhavana was soooo freakin' right!

Haagenbath is FABULOUS!!!! I'm in love with this bathbomb. :) It has the sweet smell of mint chocolate chip ice cream. I find it to be quite a relaxing scent and was pleasantly surprised. This item is a must-have for any bubble bath loving woman. I may have to stock up the next time I'm at Lush.

Another product that is true love for me is The Comforter bubble bar. I buy one every time I go shopping there. Of course, I use it sparingly so that I can get more uses out of it. They typically say you'll get 4 baths out of it, but I can make it stretch. The bubbles last a long time and the scent is subtle. I could soak in the tub for an hour. I"m surprised I don't drift off to sleep.

Now I'm in the mood for a bubble bath...

Is It Nap Time?

2007-10-11T17:42:17Z

I have been up since a little after 5am. I feel like I could use a nap. The weather is very dreary today. We've needed rain for months now, but it sure doesn't help my mood. I'm glad that it wasn't like this last week when my parents arrived. The rain brings out the colors in the leaves more. While driving home from the gym, I was enjoying the fall colors.

Days like today are good for baking, but I'm resisting the urge. I don't want the temptation of devouring desserts. I'm the only one of my Biggest Loser team that is actually losing weight and working hard at it. If the weather is nice this weekend, I might go in search of an apple orchard. I know if I make an apple dessert of any kind that E will devour most of it before I can. Plus, I'm craving some fresh apple cider. That's one splurge I will allow myself. It's simply not fall without apple cider.

Need Cash?

2007-10-11T01:16:15Z

CashAdvance1500 can offer you cash advance loans. We all know what it's like to be strapped for cash. The nice thing about this site is they do not require a credit report before approval. CashAdvance1500 can help you because they offer you Payday loans that can help you when you need it the most.

It doesn't matter what your credit is like (good, bad, non-existant). They will help you get the money you need. The best part is that you can apply online from the comfort of your own home. Who needs someone standing over their shoulder right? You can receive a cash advance while sitting in your pajamas. Another great feature ofCashadvance1500's site is that it gives you access to several other sites, that are designed for particular groups and interests. For instance there is one especially for women who need some quick extra cash to see them through until pay day. Once the application form is completed, the details are sent to the online cash advance loans lender for review and approval.

Once you are approved, your loan of between $100 and $1,500 will be wired overnight into your checking or savings account. If you have full-time employment, earn $1,000 a month or more and have a bank account, then that is usually sufficient for a pay day loan.So, what are you waiting for? Need Cash Advance? Go Ahead to> CashAdvance1500.com!

Early Holiday Shopping

2007-10-10T22:32:20Z

Do you know what time of year it is? That's right. It's time to start holiday shopping. Yeah, it makes me cringe as well but it has to be done. I figure the sooner I start the better deals I can find. Last year, we gave out a lot of gift cards and I'd rather give actual gifts this time around.

The great thing is that I can shop online and use great promo codes for even better deals. Over at Coupon Chief, they have a fabulous list of stores to shop at. The best part is that they also offer coupons for all of those stores.

I was just browsing around the OverStock Deals section. I could take advantage of some of those coupons to find great gifts for my Mom. E's Dad loves Hickory Farms Deals. So, we'll be able to take care of him as well. The gift giving possibilities are endless over there. I even stumbled across Weight Watchers Deals which is what we'll all need after the holidays.

Holiday shopping won't be a chore this year!

Don't Pester Me!

2007-10-10T18:25:30Z

I decided to go to the mall today. After my daily gym visit, I headed to the Providence Place Mall. Sometimes, I really hate driving down to the mall because of stupid drivers and traffic. The drive today wasn't so bad. So, I was optimistic that it'd be a good outing overall.

My first stop was Sephora. I knew exactly what I needed. So, I spent a matter of minutes in there. Next on my agenda? I head up to the 3rd floor and visit Lush. I was rewarding myself for losing a couple of pounds. As soon as I step into the store, I am bombarded by sales associates. OY!

The shop is very tiny. I have no idea whey they needed 3 people working, but they were all on me like a moth to a flame. Unfortunately, no other customers were in the shop. I honestly could not take a step without one of them trying to pimp a new product or ask me a million questions. It was beyond annoying. "Here try this product..." "Have you ever used...?" "Oh you must try..." Grrrr! I wanted to smack them all. I would have spent more time in there browsing with the possibility of buying more if they hadn't been so annoying. When I checked out, the associate ringing up my purchase was still trying to get me to buy more products.

I went to the actual store as to avoid paying shipping online, but I'm beginning to believe paying shipping costs might be worth it. I wish E would have been with me. They more then likely wouldn't have been on me like that if he had been there. I know they weren't like that the first time I was there (and he was with me). I'm contemplating sending an email to corporate just to voice my aggravation with this particular store. I've worked retail enough to know how you should handle customers.

Now I need to try and scrub off the scent of this shampoo sample. It's giving me a headache!

Who Gets It?

2007-10-10T13:31:25Z

I thought I had seen all the different twists for winning prizes online. That was until I discovered whogets.com online game show.

You register on the site for free and then proceed to submit your name for various prizes. How do they pick a winner? Other users vote on who gets the prize. Apparently, you can write a statement as to why you deserve the prize (if you make it to the semi-final round) and then users cast votes. How crazy is this?

Sadly, I'm not eligible to win a prize because it's not allowed in Rhode Island. Bummer! I can still cast votes though. So, if you sign up and enter a drawing, let me know and I'll vote for you. It's definitely a unique twist to winning prizes.

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to whogets.com

Weigh-In Day

2007-10-09T13:58:47Z

It's weigh-in day for the Biggest Loser contest at my gym. ACK! I really don't want to see a gain. I wasn't feeling overly motivated when the contest began 2 weeks ago, but quickly found my competitive streak. Now, after a long weekend with Mom&Dad, I'm praying not to see any added pounds.

I have successfully avoided soda for the past 2 weeks and am still going strong. When we went out to dinner the other night, they ordered a pitcher of soda for the table but I stuck with drinking a glass of water instead. I was quite proud of myself. I didn't think I could give it up so easily, but I haven't had too much of a struggle so far.

I've also been trying to break myself of eating out so much. During the weekdays, I would normally grab lunch out somewhere. I spend so much time at home during the week that I felt the need to treat myself to lunch. I can't keep doing that if I want to lose weight. So, I've been buying Lean Cuisine and Smart One meals for my lunches instead. It saves some calories and some money in the long run. I may still treat myself every now and then, but certainly not every afternoon.

This week begins Week 3 of the 8 week contest. Here's hoping I can keep going strong! I'm heading off to the gym in about 15 minutes...

Gifts For Guys

2007-10-08T23:35:17Z

My Dad has always loved cars. Every few years, he gets the urge to trade-in for a new car. I'm not sure if it's the thrill of the search or simply having a new "toy" that excites him more. My Dad currently owns a Mini-Cooper. I remember he was talking about them for months before he finally got one. He loved taking them for test-drives and researching them online.

It's only natural that I believe my Dad would love a car vacuum. He takes very good care of his cars inside and out. If your favorite guy has a birthday coming up, you can find gifts for him. You'll find everything imaginable for men who put their garages to good use.

*This has been a Sponsored Post. Thanks to carguygarage.com

Now I'm Sad

2007-10-08T13:43:58Z

My parents left to fly back home this morning. I was so sad to see them leave. :( We had a really nice weekend together. They celebrated 46 years of marriage yesterday. All those years and they are still very much in love. My parents are so cute together. They balance each other out much like E and I do. I noticed a lot of similarities between them and us.

Today is going to be a quiet day. I wish the gym was open. I haven't worked out since Thursday. Ugh! Tomorrow will be weigh-in day for our Biggest Loser contest. I am not looking forward to that after this long weekend. I tried to eat sensibly, but did indulge a time or two. I'll be glad to get back to my normal workout/eating routine. I was doing well and don't want to lose my momentum. "I think I can. I think I can..."

Hope everyone had a good weekend...

One Step Closer

2007-10-03T12:15:28Z

WooHoo! I'm done with the cardiology report section of my studies. Looking at my word doc that I've been using to type the reports, I have over 30 pages of text. Holy Crap! It's no wonder my head is spinning. I'm definitely being more productive in my studies since I started the early morning routine. Of course, I feel like I could easily go back to sleep right now but I won't.

I think I'll reward myself with a long hot shower!