Happy 4th of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

We're planning to have a BBQ....just us.....some Bratwurst, Steak, Potato Salad, Beans, Corn and a Flag cake for dessert.

Later we'll watch the fireworks, they're not exactly allowed on base but the military does sometimes put on their own show OR we will just enjoy the fireworks being put out by people outside the base.

What are your plans for today?

EDIT: I just added a few recipes to the food blog, they're perfect for today's celebration, go on over and check out the 4th of July Cake, Sandra's Potato Salad and the Best Grilled Steak Marinade.

So let's chat.....

It really does feel great to be back home.

One thing I've noticed is that before you go away on vacation you kind of get into this rut about your housework and as much as you may enjoy your home, there is nothing like leaving it for a few days or weeks to renew your love for everything inside and even for the chores which at other times become redundant.

I'm definitely enjoying my renewed love in my home and everything in it.

Here I sit, my laundry is all done, I just have two loads to put away. My floors are mopped and there is a shine and a beautiful scent of Lavender permeating the air.

The beds are all comfy and clean with freshly washed linens and quilts and my dishes are sitting on the rack drying.

I look around and I see my children and husband enjoying their computer games, but, it hasn't been this way all day.

Early this morning we headed out to get groceries something we never do together because either the kids are in school or hubby is at work, so having everyone there was a welcoming change. After a quick bite to eat we returned home where Curt proceeded to mow the lawn in the backyard, just two weeks of being away and it was like a jungle out there.

There's been swimming in the kids pool, ice cream melting down sugar cones, water sprinkling in the yards and now, there's dinner on the stove......Swedish Meatballs.

You have no idea how much I missed cooking and for those that don't particularly like it, you may find that a weird statement to make, but believe me, I really missed being in my kitchen.

The rest of the day is going to be an easy going one. We still have two weeks together before Curt returns to work, we plan on visiting the Pioneer Living History Museum close by...yes I know, remember I said there were none around here, well imagine my surprise as we arrived in the Phoenix City Limits and saw a bunch of signs for one right here.

Not quite sure what else we will do, I'm sure we'll think of something fun.

So tell me, what have you been up to the past two weeks while I was away? Are you having a vacation this year or a Staycation? Any fun things going on? Let's chat, I've missed catching up with everyone.

Oh and btw, I do hope you have some coffee ready, I'm finally going to sit down after dinner and open my Google Reader, wish me luck and if you don't hear from me by tomorrow morning please come and rescue me, I'm probably drowning in new posts.

New Review Blog!

I think it's about time I opened a different blog for all the reviews I have, I really don't want to turn this one into one, this is my main blog and where I get to share all my daily going ons with the world.

From now on I'll post all my reviews on the Diary of a SAHM Review Blog, but don't worry, you won't miss anything because everytime I post one, I'll let you know here, like now for instance, I just posted a giveaway for a Build a Bear Gift Card.

Go on over and check it out and be sure to follow the blog to get all the updates and giveaways, you don't want to miss out on anything do you?

Hugs,
Sandra

HairZing!

Remember I told you I have quite a few reviews for you, well this one is right up my alley, there's nothing I love more than summer and summer accessories.

No one says you have to go out and be uncomfortable in the summer heat, if anything, you can look absolutely fabulous with a super cute hair accessory.

I was sent some HairZings to try out and the minute the package arrived, Jasmine tore into it and immediately begin playing around with the clips and trying out new styles.

Let me tell you about them first, if you want you could just go on over to HairZing and see for yourself.

Our company is founded on the belief that business and education are two great equalizers. When used correctly, they increase the quality of life for everyone they touch.

One of our goals is to bring business opportunities to women, especially in areas that have limited resources and support. The second goal is as to ensure that girls in these regions receive education.

You change the world one girl at a time….

HairZing is based on the principle of "stretch and contraction." It adapts to EVERY type of woman's hair -thick, thin, long, short, and curly. You have all the control necessary to set the holding power in motion. Just stretch the combs far apart to make the hold snug and firm. For a looser hold, don't stretch them as much.. HairZing is made by women for women…and you'll feel the difference that makes!

I tried it for myself, I have extremely thick hair and I struggle to find a clip that will hold it back, it's actually frustrating going through so many hair accessories and spending so much money only to find that it does nothing for me, OR, the worst, it breaks off in my hair leaving the little teeth behind LOL

HairZings actually held my hair in place and I could feel it snugly against my hair, I loved it and Jasmine did too. I can't wait to try out the different hairstyles and play around with them a little more. They're also pretty inexpensive and right now you can buy one and get one for free for just $9.95.

Country Roads, Take me Home

to the place I belong.....

I'm home, finally and thankfully. I would ask you to guess what I did as soon as I walked through that door but I'm sure you already know......I cleaned. You can go ahead and start laughing but I just have to get things done my way and put into order before I can completely relax.

Needless to say, my house is once again spotless, all laundry is done, floors are swept and mopped and I'm completely unpacked. Whew, I'm exhausted which means that dinner is Pizza Hut though I tell you one of the things I most missed about home was being able to cook. I'm too much of a homebody, I finally realized that I'm most happy when I'm surrounded by my own things.

It's not that I don't like going on vacation or staying with family but no matter how much they make you feel at home, it's still THEIR home, right?

We had a pretty good drive home, well, if you don't take into account my poor little one's car sickness, at one point I was stretched out from the front passenger seat to the back, holding a bag while he threw up into it.

But let's not talk about that LOL

Let me show you a few pictures of what we did today, where we stopped and what we saw.

I love New Mexico's scenery, it's beautiful and there is so much to see as you drive through.

Our drive back took us through the Petrified Forest National Park and I don't think there is much I can say other than Wow and I didn't know that wood could do that?

Look at this big chunk of wood, it's literally turned to rock.

We stopped at this placed called Geronimo where you can see the biggest petrified tree ever.

Then we started approaching Flagstaff and as always I was just in awe of how beautiful it is.

Then it made me wonder why the military pick the worst spots for their bases? I'm not kidding, seriously, they could have placed this base further north, like Flagstaff you know, where it's green and pretty? LOL

Anyway, I am going to get some rest because tomorrow I need to go and get groceries and run some errands and then I'm coming home to do some blog reading, I'm SO behind on my Google Reader that it's tempting to just hit the "mark all as read" button, but then I would miss out on tons of good posts I'm sure.

Also, just a heads up but the next few days you will see a ton of reviews I have for you, some of them great book giveaways and I even have a Build a Bear gift card up for grabs too.

Alright I think I've babbled enough for today, it's so good to be back, I can't wait to catch up with you all.