The fine arts

*puts pinkie finger up to mouth*

Hey yaaaaaaaaa! I'm in a better mood thank you very much. The kiddos are out of school today, I'm thrilled I promise you lol. But what to do on a weekday with three children and low low funds? The museum of course. (You didn't guess that? Shame on you!) I love being around art.

Once upon a time when I was a wee little lad... *coughs* When I was a little girl, I always was drawing. I drew on everything. Cereal boxes, test papers, anything. I just knew I was going to be an illustrator one day *sigh* But then I grew up and I had no time to sketch. I had to clean, do homework, go to work...

Stepping into a museum is like looking at some of my woulda, couldas. What if I had supportive parents that nurtured my love for drawing and making things? Obviously my work wouldn't have been in a museum just yet, but a gallery would have been enough :) My oldest daughter now has "The Juice" <---- Tupac reference She draws all the time. Has been since she was 4. And her talent is way above anything I was drawing at 8 years old. When I told her about going to the museum today, her eyes sparkled.

So Baltimoreans, if you're not doing anything today and need something pocket friendly, go to the museum. We have two nationally acclaimed museums, The Walter's Art Gallery and Baltimore Museum of Art. Pick one.

Baltimore Museum of Art

Walter's Art Gallery

                                 


-Toodles

Optimistic ---> Disappointed ---> Hopeless

Hey. I'm feeling kinda emo today. Yesterday the effect of putting off bills has hit me hard. First my phone service was suspended then cable & internet. I had to make a choice on which was more important and I chose to lay my pennies at Comcast's feet. Not because of my love for television but because job searching via internet is a must. We have 2 prepaid cell phones in the house so I'm not without service completely. I went online today and edited my phone number on my resume and other profiles.

This has been the longest I've voluntarily went without a job. It's now been 4 months and counting.  I was always the kind of person who stumbled into jobs and started working within a couple of days. But now the economy is in the s-t hole, I'm competing with more than overqualified people for entry level positions. *sigh*

With Officer shouldering ALL the bills, it looks like our wedding has been put on the permanent back burner. Of course I'm devastated. Officer's overtime should be going to our wedding deposit :o/ Our deposit is 2k and we've already put out decent amount towards it. I hate to see that money go to waste.

*Otis scream* <----from JayZ & Kanye song, Otis






-Toodles

Explain this.

Them New Balance have had a hard life...

Um, yeah, that is all.



-Toodles

Things I love....

...besides my kids. :)

Before I left my last job, one of the women who worked the jewelry counter near our kiosk gave me and my 3 coworkers gift cards. It was both unexpected and thoughtful. She gave me a card for Bath & Bodyworks and told me to indulge :)

I held the card for months before deciding to finally use it. Right before I officially used the gift card, I visited the store. I was on my way to my plastic surgery consultation and had a lot of time to spend. So I walked around the store for an hour taking everything in. I put some picture frames in the cart and headed to check out. As I presented the card I noticed I was really in Bed, Bath & Beyond! (All those B's!) I left my cart, never to be seen again!

Putting my previous shopping experience behind me, I decided to online shop instead. Whenever I online shop, I always check the clearance and sales tab first. $$$$ To my surprise there was at least 100 lotions, body washes, candles etc on sale, yay! I went through the whole list and settled on 2 body washes, 1 hand soap and 1 lotion. I bought all this with my $20 gift card! Plus some of the card paid for the shopping and I only had to add $2.

The body washes were winners. They are a part of a coconut line that I hope to Beyonce Bath & Body Works doesn't discontinued. I love the coconut/mango and coconut/pineapple scents, yum. Sadly I can't report on the hand soap because Lady J used the whole body in less than 5 mins :( Parents, when your kids are silent, something is up #RIPHandSoap <---Twitter thing


But what prompted this post was my love for this...



OMG! Breathe Romance is the best lotion ever. The smell is wonderful and the scent lasts forever and ever and ever and ever..... Every time I wear it random people compliment me on it. I love the fact that the scent is both subtle and still is noticeable. I have terrible allergies which prevents me from wearing perfumes so I fell on my knees thinking God for this lotion. If I had a grading system:

!!!!!!!

-Toodles

Turning down jobs, where they do that at?

I'm unemployed, or I ain't got no job man! in the words of the wise Martin Payne. So why did I turn down the opportunity to work for a bank today? Believe it or not, I had good reason (I always think I make the best choices...).

Bank hours are typically 9 am- 5 Mon-Thur or 6 on Fridays. Saturdays vary. I was totally fine with the hours and the schedule. However, Lady J would have to attend daycare. Parents know the price of daycare is NO joke. I called around and for Lady J to attend M-F, it would cost around $125-200/week. *collapses* Did I mention the bank position was part time? If I took the job, I would be basically just paying for Lady J to attend daycare. D'oh. There would some money left over but nothing to handle any bills. Back to square one...

Tomorrow I'm working for a day laborer company. $100 for 6 hrs of work. I'll take it. Something is better than nothing at this point.

-Toodles

Sickness

Lady J has been sick for the past couple of days. Although the house has been quiet and peaceful, I hate seeing her feel bad :( And even worse, Lady J has turned into a spoiler version of herself. Granted she's only 2, Lady J is now acting at least 8 months lol. She wants to be swaddled and held all. day. long. Thankfully I'm unemployment (but still need and want a job) and have the ability to "nurse" her back to health.

But secretly, I'm loving this. I've been a little sick myself recently, baby fever. A couple of my friends/family are either pregnant or recently had a baby. Seeing the updates and pictures tug at my heart strings. So Lady J's need for attention is fulfilling my need for a baby. *sings* It's the circle of lifeeeeeeeeeee!

-Toodles

*Ahem* My children

Yeah so, as I mentioned a loooong time ago (probably 20+ blogs before) I'm a mother of 3 precious little adorable girls :) *snatches the word little back* Lady J, my 2 year old, is little :). My oldest, 1st, is 8 and middle daughter, Dancer, is 6. They are the apples of both my eyes, my breath, will for living....

You get the point, right? I love 'em and I'm thankful I am their mother.

I like this image, just add 2 more girls!

Because each of my girls are unique in their own way, I'm going to give a brief description (you wanna know, right?)

1st: Obviously my first daughter. Basically taught herself to read. Always wants to know everything! She rarely gives me trouble. She's the best older sister her little sisters could ask for. Her birthday is 3 days after mine so we're both Pisces <3 Right now she's reading to Lady J.

Dancer: Is nicknamed so because she loves to entertain. She dancing and loves music. Dancer also have an excellent memory. If she hears something twice, she knows all the words. Right now we're trying to feel our way through school, but we'll get the hang of it. My "wild" child <3

And Lady J: Lady J has a whole stock of nicknames depending on how's she acting. J's spoiled to the core and knows it. Everyone in the house gives in to her. She's cute, tiny and does the most darling things. Trouble's ahead! lol

And there you have it. A glimpse into the makeup of my household. I left my dog son, MJ, out but I'll get to him another day, lol.

-Toodles