That's a whole new level of crazy.  

New book I'm reading:

It is sooooooooooooo good.  It isn't hard to follow at all, which may be because I watched the show first.  The book has so much more detail in it though, like always.  I'm really into it, and I'm excited that this is only the first in a 6 book series and I'm enjoying it so much!

My new favorite thing.

VINEGAR.

Seriously, this stuff is amazing.  It's a disinfectant that isn't super harmful.  I use it in a 1:1 ratio with water to clean:

1. Delilah's exersaucer

2. Windowsills

3. Baseboards

4. Kitchen counters

(basically anything that needs to be cleaned.)

If you take a cup of warm vinegar and a cup of Dawn dishsoap, you have an amazing soap scum remover.  I now use that mixture to clean my bathroom...and no longer have to gag on harsh chemical smells.

1/4 c vinegar+1/4 c washing soda+1 T Dawn dishsoap in a bucket of warm water is the best floor cleaner I've ever used.

I have also made fabric softener with it and Suave conditioner.  (There is NO vinegar smell)

I used it in a new way this morning with my haul from Bountiful Baskets.  

I give my daughter fresh fruits for breakfast and veggies for dinner.  I want to make sure it is all cleaned up nicely, so I found that if you fill your sink with warm water and a cup of vinegar and let your fruit and veggies soak for 10 minutes, everything is so clean! 

Look at that fruit!  So clean!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(and hello.)

My bountiful basket haul!

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/OwuuJMnNX2/

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/OwultSHNXq/

@benshredz says this is a man size salad. He also said I couldn't take a picture of it, so I snuck one.

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/OuWZx4nNSz/

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/OuM7uynNcK/

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/OuM7o0HNcJ/

Choochy face

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/OuA_ZLnNTd/

Heard some interesting news today

As a reference, please read this post first:

http://dleaward.blogspot.com/2011/09/baby-name-drama.html

And know that this psychotic cousin of mine just had a baby with her much older boyfriend (who is still married...and so is my cousin...to other people).  So because of this cousin's jealousy over me for whatever reason, that has existed since we were small children...she has always felt the need to compete with me or challenge me.  It's completely unnecessary.

My mom and aunt still haven't spoken since my cousin lied.  Another cousin told my mom that if my aunt hadn't sided with my cousin, my cousin would have kept her children from her.  How true...and how sad that children are being used as pawns.  But honestly, after the couple swapping, STDs, and baby daddy while she's still preggo...I can't really be surprised about anything she does.

Found out this weekend that my uncle (who left my aunt a couple years ago after being together, not married, for 23 years) got married to the woman he left my aunt for.  Now, when he left my aunt, my mom did everything she could to help my aunt, even letting her and my youngest cousin move into my parents' house so she could save money and get on her feet.  They gave her furniture as well, and didn't accept any money for rent or utilities. (And that's the thanks my mom gets...)  I guess my brother found out about the wedding and told my mom.  He added that my aunt is pretty pathetic.

Well, I guess so.  That's the life she has made for herself, and now she only has her horrible daughter.  I'm sure my cousin will turn on her soon, she has before.  No loyalty to anyone.  Honestly, what sad lives they lead.  Screwed up in the head, screwed up lives, and now there's little kids mixed in with it who are going to end up screwed up too.  How pathetic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I read 2 books this week.  The first was

If you haven't heard of this book, please go to your local library or amazon.com and order yourself a copy.  It is completely sad, scary, beautiful, wonderful, and horrifying all at the same time.  Try to go into it with an open mind, and without reading any reviews of it beforehand.  I'm not going to try to explain it, because I like for everyone to make up their own minds about books!

The second was this young adult novel:

I picked it up because it looked scary and I thought it was going to be a horror novel.  It definitely wasn't, but the story was surprisingly good!  I don't want to give anything away, but pick it up.  It's worth your time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think he looks pretty

via Instagram http://instagr.am/p/Opgk6OHNQV/

The days are getting slimmer

Anytime something bugs me here, I remind myself that I only have a few short months left, and then I'll be with family for a year...and then my little family will be at a new base.  I'm up for changes, I'm up for adventure, I'm up for new friends.

Ben reenlisted yesterday for 4 more years.  Luckily, his 5 year mark slid in right before they took a big portion of his reenlistment bonus away.  I'm not sure how long the USAF will keep his job field bonus low, but I'm thankful we were able to sign up for the bigger one!  

We are all very proud of him.

Nothing really exciting is going on.  I'm looking to get some running shoes and start the couch 2 5K program.  I'm happy with my body, but I've always wanted to be able to run.  After many years of not being able to due to my heart (and made to feel inferior by many gym teachers...), I want to do this!  I remember one gym teacher in high school didn't believe me that I had a heart condition.  I wasn't even trying to get out of running, just letting her know that it took me a bit longer because MY HEART BEATS HALF OF WHAT IT SHOULD.  She didn't believe me and actually had me run extra laps.  I was furious.  I saw her after my first pacemaker surgery and showed her my scar.  Her eyes got wide and she slinked away without saying another word.  I was glad that I showed her.  Sometimes people do tell the truth...

Well, it's actually late, so I'm going to go put some blankets in the dryer and get to bed.

I'll leave you with some adorable pictures:

Fresh fruit (blueberries, mangos, cherries, peaches, etc...) for breakfast every morning.

Playtime!

In Daddy's strong arms!

Has it really been 8 months?!

Big girl is standing and using the furniture to move around!

Really?

Last night, someone who doesn't know me AT ALL had the audacity of telling me that I had no idea how good I have it (in regards to having full coverage insurance).  

Background: I posted a link to an eye doctor in town who has a machine that you can choose to use instead of having your eyes dilated and it's covered by military insurance now.  I felt like the people around here could use that information, and I really like my eye doctor and wanted to give him some business.

So this lady chimes in about how expensive he is and blah blah blah.  I respond that I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket, because as I stated before, military insurance covers it now.  She tells me that her husband is a civilian who works on base and they can't afford vision or dental after all their bills.  (Yeah, that sucks, but then the post wasn't for you, so STFU).  She then tells me that I have no idea how good I have it.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?

I proceed to put her in her place:

Listen, before you assume to know me or anything about me, let me fill you in.  I have a very serious heart condition that requires me to be seen twice a year and have surgery every 7 years.  I went without insurance for 4 years because no one would cover me or they wanted $500+ a month.  When I got married, I had to have an emergency pacemaker replacement to the tune of $53,000.  Yes, I know how lucky I am.

She never responded.  

Seriously, the nerve of some people really baffles me.