Jaime Loves Stuff : July 2014

Jane Austen

Image Source Edit by me

These next two weeks may be a bit slow posting wise as we transition back to the new school year. However... please enjoy some Jane Austen and a quote from teh book that inspired my daughter's name

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Fuel Your Mornings With Nestle: Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone #CollectiveBias #MyGoodLife

Ahhh mornings. They're so much fun, right? *crickets* I guess they aren't. Mornings are full of rushing around and trying to get out the door in time. Sadly, most of the time, we make it out the door with an empty stomach and a rush through a drive-thru. I have chatted about this previously about my struggle with trying to eat breakfast at home because not only is better for you, it's less expensive. I try to find ways to get something in both mine and Emma's stomachs before she goes to her morning physical, occupational and speech therapies. Since her therapies are so early in the morning (7 am), I thought making a morning smoothie with Nestle Nesquik and Carnation Breakfast Essentials I picked up at Walmart.

SMOKING hot deals RIGHT NOW!

**Affiliate Links***

Hey there! I just wanted to share with you some smoking deals that are going on right now (and ENDING SOON!) that you may want to jump on sooner, rather than later. I know with the new school year being right around the corner, it's never too soon to jump on some fantastic deals!

Febreze #noseblind review + giveaway with $60 AMEX

"This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Febreze. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine."

Are you familiar with what noseblindness is? It's essentially a nasal condition where you become accustomed to the odors aroundyou over time. Initially, our olfactory system was used to identify life-threatening dangers such as wild animal predators or poisonous plants. Due to modernization, the system has another role to deal with signal overload so it can stil be capable of executing its primary role to identify dangerous situations.

This week has been... interesting. I don't know if I would categorize it as good or bad. I did decide to transfer to a different position at work. I interviewed with that department's manager and we really got along well. My pay won't change and that's a-okay by me and I have done this position before. My daughter will be 11 and entering sixth grade when school starts back up (*screams*) and when her program turns from summer program to after school program- she goes to the next classroom up. She's excited because she gets to join friends who "graduated" to the big kids room. She has a one-on-one aide due to explosive behavioral issues and for safety on the van rides now. The Lead from the room she is in now was her one-on-one until summer program (she was promoted so she handpicked her aide for the summer) called me and said she didn't think Em needed a one-on-one going forth except on the van. The Lead for the room she is heading into has a LOT of experience with pre-teens/teens with behavioral issues and they think that it's unnecessary for the room because if she has a behavioral issue, she will get one on one attention anyways and she is more independent now.

Waaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. She's growing up. This past six years has been a whirlwind. She started walking at five years, her skull was repaired summer 2009 (no more helmet!), she became 100% potty trained last summer, she's making more reasonable choices, she's able to reason and talk versus screaming and fits. Sigh.

Enough mushiness.

#1- I am obsessed with the Counting Crows (among a few other bands). I own every single album they have ever released and am a bit heartbroken that they are finally on tour again and they will be in Phoenix on August 7th. I don't have anybody to watch Em so I can go and I am a bit bummed about it. I have been wanting to see them live for so many years and ... well, it's all good.

#2 - I have a huge obsession with lingerie. I buy so much that I am on first name basis with the girls who work at Victoria's Secret.

#3 - I am obsessed with clothes. I have a closet full of really nice dresses, skirts, shoes, etc. and I don't wear any of them because I am self conscious about my weight.

#4 - I am also obsessed with boxes. I love a good sturdy box. What? A quality box is hard to come by and you never know when you need to move stuff.

#5 - I am obsessed with candles. I have a hall linen closet full of candles. Various kinds- Yankee (You're welcome, Ryan! LOL), Bath & Body Works, Febreze, and Glade. My coworker sells Gold Canyon. I ordered three. LOL - have to help support a small business... *whistles innocently*

#6 - I am obsessed with K-Dramas. I am out of my mind in loooove with them. Haha.

What are you obsessed with?

PS- I have comments on moderation and I will approve them as I know I can respond to them. I am still trying to balance everything out :)

Live the life you have imagined

Image Source - Edit by Me.

The other day I posted about goals that were more personal in nature.

I am thinking more and more about there I want to go professionally.

Some days, I do dream the dream of being self employed. Who wouldn't want to be their own boss and write your own paycheck? Other days, my realistic self chimes in and says "Really?" and that's all I need to stop day dreaming.

I still want to launch my soap and jewelry businesses. That's going to happen but I am not sure that I want to quit my job (well, depends on the days at work. Ha. Oh and my mood). I would love to be able to cut to part time status and get the product lines really going.

I would love for my blog to grow (which it is! yay!) and really help improve my writing skills, my content marketing skills and of course, social media marketing. Actually. I think goal has been achieved. Well. Not to professional levels but the fact that I am growing and improving is proof that my goals are being achieved. *virtual high five*

I think I will really focus on my professional goals this weekend. I really need to lay it out much more clearly than I already have them.

What goals do you have?

Shot@Life: It's Back To School Time

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiveaShot #CollectiveBias

I can not believe in a little less than one month, not only will my baby turn 11 years old she will be entering 6th grade. I just can not wrap my mind around how much time has flown by! This is a huge deal. This also means that we have a LOT to take care of in the next few weeks to prepare for this new school year! We need to get her new glasses ordered, school clothes shopping, hair cut, dentist and well child check up. Since she is going into sixth grade, she's also due for her meningococcal as part of her required vaccines.

Image via Unsplash.com, Edit by me.

Goals. Hoarding. Books. Fonts

Goals.

They're good to have, right? Whether they are personal or professional, goals are wonderful and as Ernest Hemingway said it's the journey that matters. Goals may not be hit in its entirety but the journey of working toward them is what's most important. I have been working towards a few goals and I am trying to hold myself accountable. I have achieved some success this past weekend in regards to my hoarding problem (LOL), books and fonts.

Friday Musical Break

T. G. I. F.

No. Really. I am so glad. Fridays are my down days at work and where I pretty much play catchup and I am soooo ready for this weekend.

Today is a good day for some feel good music. The following songs always make me feel good.

Panda Express Orange Sauce Chicken

disclaimer: I bought this out of my own pocket but affiliate links may be included.

The other day, I was at Smart & Final and came across a bottle of Panda Express's Orange Sauce and I had to snatch it up. Emma LOVES Panda Express but we rarely go because I am allergic to shellfish and they cook their shrimp and chicken in the same oil. I have a few copycat recipes saved on Pinterest but you know what? Bottle? Easy peasy. I'll give it a shot.

I coated chicken with cornstarch and cooked it in oil.

Easy. Nothing to it, really. I have been in a bit of a writing/blogging/job/cooking funk and haven't felt much like doing anything except being lazy. haha.

When the chicken was cooked and browned, I added half the bottle of sauce to it and let it simmer and thicken up and then served over rice.

I thought it was good and definitely helped with the cravings for Panda but... it was a lot more vinegary than I recall the sauce being BUT it does work for now. I liked it. We ate it up. I think next time, I will do a bit more with the chicken (it may be the bland chicken) and maybe add some more soy sauce and orange marmalade to the sauce.

I will definitely buy it again.

If you would like to try it, too, you can find it at your local store (maybe?) or definitely on Amazon: Panda Express Orange Sauce

Keep Moving with Stayfree!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone #FreeToMove #CollectiveBias

I don't know about you, but I feel like I am ALWAYS on the move. GO. GO. GO. No breaks. Whether it is for my daughter or for me, it feels like we are going nonstop. Emma has therapies, doctors, and lots of activities. I have my job, my blog and I make jewelry so I try to be prepared and I am not always successful but I do try to always have a book, bottle of water, snack bars, and feminine care in my purse. I try to be prepared for some... surprises. Especially at my age - anything can happen and I want to be free to move without worry!

#AD: What Makes You Sparkle? #SparkleWithDASANI

*Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Dasani and all thoughts are my own.

Dasani has launched a NEW line of amazing product- Dasani Sparkling. Dasani Sparkling is a line of sparkling waters and you know what? They are DELICIOUS! I am drinking the lemon flavored Dasani as we speak. Yum! I am in love! So far, I have tasted the lemon and the lime flavors. Tomorrow will be the Apple!

To celebrate the new Dasani Sparkling line, Dasani wants to know- What makes YOU sparkle?

Life can be full of ups and downs, right? However, we all have something that makes us sparkle.

Sundays & Injurversary

Man oh man. This last week has been quite ...draining.

July 8th was Emma's 10 year injurversary. I try to celebrate it as a second birthday but internally, I am heavily mourning. I should have taken the day off from work but I didn't have enough PTO because Em had an appointment with her rehabilitation specialist (physiatrist) on the 9th and Monday I had a meeting with her developmental disabilities case manager to make sure all her programs are in place. These are all routine but I am just exhausted from the emotional toll that her anniversary brings.

Each year- it's a reminder of two things: betrayal and survival.

10 years ago - the child I gave birth to died and was revived.

Budget Meals: BBQ Turkey Meatballs and Italian Veggies (with a surprise side dish!)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone #RollIntoSavings #CollectiveBias

As a single mom, I am always trying to find ways where I can pinch pennies without giving up quality. 10 years ago, after Emma's traumatic brain injury, I had to stop working to take care of her. We lived off of her social security disability and food stamps. I had to learn how to stretch the $137 a month in food stamps we received. I made it work! When I went back to working full time in 2009, I had to adjust spending habits again. I also had new bills to account for- I got into a car wreck and totaled out my car that was paid. No way I could be without a car especially in a city as large as Phoenix and having a child with disabilities who has a ton of doctors appointments. I am also hoping to purchase a home in a year, so I am pinching pennies even more so now and the need for budget friendly meals is even greater.

"It's Monday! What Are You Reading?" is a weekly link up hosted by the wonderful Sheila at Book Journey. Each week, we share what we read and what we are reading! I totally think you should join in on the fun!

So. Remember last week when I showed your my ~~hoarding~~ purchases of books and I had gone a bit out of control purchasing a few book series? I wasn't sure WHICH book I would start first. Well. I have it figured out! It just took me a week but....

Watermelon Iced Tea Drink

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser, #KoolOff #CollectiveBias

Three day weekends rock but I am so greedy- they aren't long enough! I demand FOUR day weekends! I am glad that the Fourth of July fell on a Friday! I was able to get so much done prior to the time to head out for fireworks. I was worried they might get cancelled because on Thursday night we got hit with a haboob (major dust storm) and some rain and they were forecasting some rain on Friday night. Granted- we will take ALLLLL the rain we can get here in Phoenix. We desperately need it! Alas, no rain on Friday BUT that meant two things: Fireworks and watermelon iced tea beverages to cool down on the hot summer days!

Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken Tacos

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone #choosesmart #collectivebias

Who doesn't love tacos? Seriously- if you said no, I don't know you. Tacos rock my world. I love to eat them, I love to make them and I really, really, really love to eat them. I love beef tacos, chicken tacos, bean tacos, scrambled egg tacos, you name it... I love it. Unless it has fish or shellfish and then I will throw some serious side eyes and run away screaming that you are trying to murder me. Haha. A few months ago, I talked about my love of Smart & Final when I made the delicious teriyaki bowl (you can see that post here). Well, I am getting ready to tell you once again about how much I love Smart & Final. why? Because TACOS!!!! Okay, seriously, their Montecito line of products are awesome (as are their others lines such as La Romanella, First Street, Ambiance, etc.). They are consistently high quality and frankly, the right price! You should definitely check them out if you have one in close by. It's a smaller warehouse store that doesn't require a membership. WIN! I love, love, love my Smart & Final!

Hi there! I hope you had a fantastic 4th of July!

Last night, I took Emma to see the fireworks for the first time in five years. Yes. FIVE years. The last time I took her, she had seizures back to back the following morning. I gave her the klonipin wafer as a rescue med and she seized right through it. I had to call the paramedics and unfortunately, she stopped breathing and started choking and needed a breathing tube. She went unconscious in the ambulance.

Celebrity Crush: Marky Mark and His Funky Bunch

Because these.

He might work out or something...

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen a post or two from me about "The Hungry Introvert"

The Hungry Introvert is a new project I am working on. I am NOT scrapping "Jaime Loves Stuff" but I have been wanting to move to WordPress.org and self host for quite some time. I am NOT sure I really want to migrate this blog over. There are many old posts and although I can migrate them all over- I am not sure the stress and aggravation is worth it.

I think I want to start over from scratch.

Again, I am not going to close down this blog but I am going to start focusing on building my new site and go from there. As you all know- I love to mess around with the name of my blog so maybe I will rename this one. Maybe I won't. My blogspot will always have a special place in my heart :)

I just have a thousand thoughts flowing through my head along with millions of ideas.

ETA: I decided to go ahead and build it on Blogger (just for now). I am still working on WordPress but I haven't found the perfect theme... yet.

go here now and start following :)

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