Suite 101...I'm In!

I have posted before about my delight in being approved to write for Demand Studios and I have to say it has not disappointed me. It still amazes me that at any time of day or night I can get online, write an article and be paid for it within three or four days. I was so hesitant to apply with them because I am terrified of rejection. I am so glad that I took the plunge anyway, I think it is going to be a tremendous help to my family over difficult winter months.

I have also heard a lot of good things about a website called Suite 101, but you have to apply and I had heard it is a bit of a challenge to get accepted there. I've been procrastinating for about a year and today, on a bit of a whim, I took the plunge. Imagine my shock and delight to discover that I have been approved!

Suite 101 doesn't work like Demand Studios, you get residual pay for your articles as opposed to upfront pay. Building a decent stream of residual income is on my to-do list and I have actually been getting serious about it lately so being accepted with Suite 101 has made my day. I am not allowed to divulge my earnings (not that I have any yet) but from what I've read most people do quite well there.

If you are interested, here are a couple of in depth reviews that you might want to check out:

Freelance Home Writer
Write Moms

I will keep you updated about my experience with Suite 101 and all of my other "earn money from home while in my p.j.'s with Grumpy wrapped around my leg and Bug jumping up and down beside me" adventures so stay tuned!

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the The Young Scientists Club Set 7: Bones and Muscles, The Senses and Light Science Kit is Abby! Congratulations to you and thanks so much to all of you who participated in this giveaway.

Help Me Someone Please

Disclaimer: I love Bug. There is no one in the entire world that I love more. I realize how blessed that I am to have him. Now, on to my complaining.

Bug will not stop talking. He will.not.stop. He's always been very active and talkative, but this is different. It goes like this:

"Mommy, look, look what I can do. Mommy look, come here and look. Look. Look what I can do mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Look. Watch this. I can make footprints in the carpet. Watch this. I can make footprints in the carpet. What kind of animal am I? Mommy. Look. Come here and watch. Mommy, I put tape on bubby's head. He's o.k. Mommy, come here and look where I put tape on his head. Sorry mommy. I won't put tape on his head again. Mommy. Look....".

I have never had a three and a half year old before, so I'm assuming this is par for the course. But tonight I'm a wreck. I have a headache, it actually feels like my head is in the grip of some sort of torture device. I am a little nauseous and I'm having thoughts about opening the door and running down the road. Fast. I just need silence. Just a little silence. My hands are actually shaking. I almost started crying a few minutes ago in the kitchen because I realized it was still over an hour until bedtime.

He is currently running in circles (literally) and talking nonstop. I don't think he even notices that I am not answering.

Grumpy has only slept through the night once in the past four months (and that was only until 5:00) so I think I am just...tired. I need a few minutes of silence and a long, long nap.

I Finally Did It...

I am the proud owner of thriftysouthernmama.com! I have been toying with the idea of purchasing my own domain for awhile and after some promptings from the husband I finally did. I love the idea of building websites, it's something about having control over my own little space on the web (did I mention that I am a control freak?) and I've taken my first baby step.

Don't expect anything major to change here for awhile, I am also a bit obsessive and the simple act of finding the right theme has been enough to send me over the edge. I have instructed the hubby to learn web design immediately so that he can build me a custom theme for free, but I don't think he's interested. Oh well. Hopefully sooner rather than later the new site will be up and running and too much of my hair won't be pulled out in the process. I will keep you updated!

Blessed

I have always loved Thanksgiving, partly because of the food and partly because it is a prelude to Christmas. When I was a little girl I thought of it as a practice run. Now that I am officially grown up I also see it as a great opportunity to acknowledge the blessings that I have been given. Since I have a blog now I figured why not list them here...

1. My relationship with the Lord. I know I am loved unconditionally by God, I know I am going to Heaven and I never have to face a single day alone.

2. My husband. I never believed I would find someone who could be what he is to me. I can completely be myself with him, even when being myself isn't necessarily a good thing. He even loves me when my nose is all red and swollen or I don't shave my legs for a week.

3. Bug. There just aren't words for this little blessing. He will always be my "sunshine baby", even when he's forty years old! He is beautiful, gives great snuggles and has a huge heart, I can't wait to see what he comes up with everyday.

4. Grumpy. I tell my husband that the Grump is the best bad idea I ever had. He makes our little family feel complete. While he is a bit cranky, he loves to be loved. He loves kisses, hugs, cuddles, and is as good at giving them as he is at receiving. He loves me more than anyone else, and while I know that it won't last, I am reveling in it at the moment. He is a mama's boy and I wouldn't have it any other way.

5. My parents. They still treat me like I'm twelve and I love it. They buy me things, worry constantly, basically spoil me rotten. I don't plan to try and stop them anytime soon, I blame this on the fact that I am the baby of the family.

6. My brother and sisters. I have always thought it would be so lonely to be an only child (which explains why there is a Grump snoring in the bedroom) and I am so glad that I have my siblings.

7. My nieces and nephews. There are a ton of them and they are all so special to me. Sure, when Jon and Kelli were little I wanted them gone, but now that we're all adults I'm glad I didn't follow through with my plan to "accidentally" lose them while shopping. Before you think I'm insane, there are only a few years between us, I was just a little girl.

8. A nice place to live. Sometimes I get so down about the fact that we rent, but we're fortunate to have a comfortable, safe home with plenty of room for our babies. If I'm tired I have three warm beds to choose from, if I want a hot shower it's a few steps away and a drink of clean water is always available. We are warm, we're dry, we have absolutely nothing to complain about.

9. Staying at home with my boys. I am amazed sometimes that it actually worked out. I still remember the night I sat next to my husband, huge pregnant, sobbing that I didn't want to leave my baby. It seemed impossible, but thank God, here I am.

10. My husband's job. These days it's a blessing to have one at all, and he also has a company truck which saves a ton on gas.

11. Freedom. I am so thankful that I live in a place where I am free to worship, live and raise my kids the way I want to. I know our country is far from perfect, but it beats the other options in my opinion.

12. I have a history. I can trace my family's lineage back generations, I know where I belong and it's one of the most beautiful places in the world.

13. My computer. Oh how I love my computer. It helps me learn, keep up with family, earn a little extra cash, pursue my dreams, play games, waste endless amounts of time...

14. Pajamas and throws. Sure it sounds silly, but there is nothing cozier in the world than putting on my p.j.'s, grabbing a book and curling up under a throw.

15. Books. I love to read, when I get a new book to read I am more excited than I would be if I bought five new outfits.

Of course, there is a lot more that I am thankful for, but I'm not going to bore you with how much I love cheese or how happy a shirt pulled straight from the dryer makes me. I hope you all have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!