Annie Bananie

Today my sweet baby girl turned 3. It is hard to believe that I don't have a little baby anymore, but a little girl. Annie surprises me everyday. If it isn't something she does, it is something she says. This girl cracks me up and keeps me on my toes.

It seems just like yesterday when I was in labor with her and she was the cutest baby ever. And now she is going to pre-school and talking and talking and well, talking. This last year Annie has grown up so much. Annie stopped taking a pacifier, by force, but none the less she got rid of something that made her seem more like a baby. She is potty trained and what an awesome reward that is to me, as her mother, the one who changed 99% of her diapers.

A bit about Annie. Annie is smart, witty, cuddly, and full of energy. I am so blessed to have such a sweetie for a daughter.

Both my daughters bring me pure joy and endless laughter in my life. Not one day goes by where I can't imagine my life without my girls.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Annie Bananie! I love you and look forward to the years to come.

Peeved!

So, how many of you have credit cards? How many of you carry a balance on your credit cards? How many of you have seen an increase in your monthly APR? Not one, but two of my cards have gone up to 14.99%. Really. Actually, we got a notice on our Bank of America card that was 8.9% and was going to increase to 14.99% if we did not call before a certain date. So, that one technically didn't change. The other credit card that did go up from 6.9% to 14.99% was Citibank. We did not receive a notice in the mail, but they claim to have sent them out in November. So, that card has more than doubled in interest. Citibank will not lower our monthly percent back because we didn't call before the date given.

Who in their right mind would want their interest rate to go up so they could pay the bank, that received bailout money, more money because they are greedy? Yes, 116 banks received money from the Obama plan to help out the banks. The banks then turn around and stick it people who are in good standing and have not defaulted on any payments. The banks are going to get their money, but why do they need to hurt tax paying Americans, in tough times, just because they are getting greedy? Isn't this why they had to get bailed out in the first place, because of greed?

Obama is going to meet with four or so banks that took bailout money. I hope that since he is the one that bailed the banks out with his step in good faith with the banking community he makes the banks go back to the original percentage rates that people signed up under. I totally agree with the banks who go after people who don't pay on time, but not the ones who have done no wrong.

I know that when these two cards get paid off, we will no longer be doing business with Bank of America or Citibank. Both of these banks have taken bailout money because they needed help. But look at these banks stick it to hard working Americans who are in hard times, but are still getting their money, I might add, I just don't get it.

Mary Kay Makeover Monday

This is Mary Kay's "Botox in a bottle". Well, it does not have botox or needles, just a wonderful solution, that prevents those not so funny laugh lines. This is a two step solution. Well, not exactly two steps. There is a day solution and a night solution. It is a wonderful product that you can see results pretty quickly.

TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25
Think of it as a veil of defense. This innovative product helps prevent lines and discoloration before they occur by blocking damaging UVA/UVB rays. Plus, a calming peptide helps relax expression lines.

Characteristics

• Suitable for Sensitive Skin
• Fragrance-free
• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic

TimeWise® Night Solution
A unique delivery system of encapsulated vitamins and antioxidants combined with collagen-enhancing peptides help fade away deep lines and wrinkles. Nutribeads® microcapsules are even more vitamin-packed.

Characteristics

• Suitable for Sensitive Skin
• Fragrance-free
• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic

Like all Mary Kay products, they work best if used together. They have been chemically designed to work together for the best result. These products should be used with the TimeWise 3-1 Cleanser and Moisturizer. With all these products your face will see benefits of anti-aging.

Mary Kay Makeover Monday

This product is called TimeWise Firming Eye Cream. It is so awesome. If you have trouble with tired looking eyes that are baggy or have darkness around the eyes this will take care of that problem instantly.

This product was tested and here is what the end result was.

• 96% saw an improvement in the overall appearance of the skin around the eyes *
• 100% saw a visible reduction in roughness/dryness around the eyes *
• up to 25% firmer skin around the eyes *
• up to 40% reduction of dark circles under the eyes *
• up to 75% improved silkiness of skin around the eyes *

*Based on a 12-week clinical study

Characteristics

• Suitable for Sensitive Skin
• Clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy
• Ophthalmologist-tested
• Suitable for contact lens wearers
  

How It Works
As the skin ages, it loses moisture and becomes dry and porous, weakening your skin’s natural barrier that guards against free radical and environmental damage. TimeWise® Firming Eye Cream works to better protect the skin around the delicate eye area while it counteracts this damage. The combined power of a collagen-enhancing peptide duo works to build/restore the supporting structure to revitalize cells for firmer skin. Soothing botanical extracts and brightening agents are employed to condition and prepare the skin for moisturization, resulting in a more even skin tone.

You should try it, it really works.

Oh, The Possibilities.....

Just a short blog here. I just wanted to show this house as a possible house for us. This house was built in the 1900's. It is 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms on 1 acre, in town. I know a little big for us, but oh, the potential. The inside is a little dated, but since the mortgage isn't going to break the bank, we could totally remodel this house and make it our own. Matt and I have not seen this house in person. Isn't the internet wonderful? We are going to try and look at this house on Monday. It has been on the market for 460 days. Hope nothing major is wrong with it. We are not too thrilled about the way the inside looks, but it will work with some work. We absolutely love, LOVE the outside. Just look at that porch. Can you see me rocking on the porch in my rocking chair. No, I am not an old lady either, but the joys of a small Texas town could do this to me. Anyway, what do you all think about this. This could be a possible home for my family. I will keep you updated.

For Sale by Owner

Yes, we finally got around to putting a For Sale by Owner sign in our yard. So, I guess it is official, we are moving and this is just the first step in this whirlwind process. Our house offically is not ready to show, but since that sign is out there we will have to get our act together and get stuff done. And in the meantime we will be advertising and seeing if there is an interest in our house. I think I might post some pictures on Craigslist and see if we get any bites.

We found nine acres in Comanche with a small one bedroom house on the property for not too much. So, while my husband is working he can live there. When we sell the house we will build a suitable size house for our family on that property. The existing house will become my mother-in-laws house, a little granny unit as we call it. The property has Coastal grass which is hay. We can have someone cut the hay and make some money. So, I guess we will have a working ranch/farm.

Nothing is set yet on the house. We will go out and see it tomorrow and see if it is worth it. I am kind of excited about this because at least it will be a plan and I will know where I will live in a year. I don't like having uncertainty in my life, so this is a good thing. I just pray that it all works out and this is where we are supposed to be.

The City of Comanche is growing on me. It seems like the more I go out there the more I like it. The people are all really nice, but I am sure that once we get there we will learn the inside and out of the small town politics that always exist. Last visit we ate at this restaurant called Star Beau's. It was a really cute restaurant. They had the best chicken salad sandwich. It was so good. They also had a really good homade cheesecake that was drizzled with carmel sauce. Yum. Anyway, when we go out there I would like to try this place again. Plus, the guy who I think was the owner was really nice and more than willing to help us find a place to buy. I do love that aspect of small town living.

Mary Kay Makeover Monday

I thought I would show you our limited edition of our spring colors. We call this our Coastal Colors Collection. In the pictures above the colors look a little bright, but when you look at the model on the front of our magazine, it looks so good. You can see a picture of our model wearing the Coastal Colors Collection by visiting my website at www.marykay.com/jenshand. I have not had the opportunity to try these colors out yet, but will soon.


Here are the colors up close with more detailed information. With global beauty as the inspiration, the Coastal Colors Collection embraces the color and cultures of the world. Straight off the catwalks in New York, Milan and Paris, the makeup colors are inspired by scenic locales around the world.


The limited-edition Mary Kay® Eyeliner Pencils come in two shades that complement the eye color palette perfectly: Tahitian Gold and Bahama Blue, $10 each.






The Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Color Palette in Coastal Colors is a reflection of earth, sea and sky and enhances the beauty of every skin tone, $15.

Choose a limited-edition Mary Kay® Lip Gloss in Polynesian Petals, Caribbean Coral or Hawaiian Sunset, $13 each.

Don't you just love these trendy colors. When I try these new colors I will tell you about them. And with every Mary Kay product we guarantee our products, 100%. If you purchase something that you don't like or doesn't do what if claims, you can return the product to your Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and get a full refund or trade for another product. How many products can you try out and return if you are not satisfied? I don't know of any.

If you are interested in this product or another one of our products from Mary Kay go to my website www.marykay.com/jenshand. Let me know if this is something that interests you.