Affordable Pictures...Can It Be???

Hey all! I hope all of you are enjoying your summers so far! :) Ours here in Montana just started last Thursday and we have had mostly rain. LOL! Oh well, I have also been sick so I have been just in bed and on my laptop editing pictures.

Which is why I am doing this blog post-Pictures!

As a mother, I know the importance of documenting your children and family through the years. As the manager of MY HOUSE...I also know that it can cost a fortune at times and with the economy being what it is right now even a sitting fee can be too high for my pocketbook. :(

It does make me sad, because I know a lot of photographers that I would LOVE to use. I have very talented friends who LOVE what they do and it really shows.

If I was making more money, I would definitely get my family's pics done professionally. I am not talking Sears or Wal-mart professional either. While I feel that those places are good places to go for a "quick pic fix", they just are not for me.

Before I started working again, I was a scrapbooker. Taking pictures was part of that. Documenting my family's life in pictures and words was what I did. So, I appreciate a more on-location feel and different lighting that you just can't get from Sears or Wally World.

My youngest was turning 5 this year and my family was chomping at the bit for updated pics of her. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get them done because of living paycheck to paycheck. So, I took matters into my own hands and after work on my daughter's birthday, I dressed her up, did her hair and we jumped in the van with my camera and off we went.

Living where we do, there is A LOT of beautiful parks with LOTS of green and natural settings for us to take advantage of. So, that is what we did. It was an overcast day so the lighting wasn't too bright at all. :)

I even found some graffiti to try as a back ground! :) And it was "G" rated! :)

The camera I use is a Canon Rebel T2i. I absolutely love this camera and wonder why I didn't buy a Rebel in the first place.

I actually have to shoot Sasha in sports mode because she will not slow down for anything and is always moving. I have tried posing her and telling her to be still and she still moves. The girl has ants in her pants I tell ya! ;)

By the end of the shoot I had 244 pics that I could go thru and have family go thru and edit. :)

I use two programs to edit. On my BIG computer downstairs I have Adobe Photoshop Elements and on my laptop upstairs, I have GIMP. All of the images you will see on this post are edited with GIMP. I will tell you, if you want a easy editing and free software..get GIMP. The site is---> HERE.

Now for the pics:

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps! :)

Get ready for more from me!!

Hey all! I have been on a pretty long hiatus here on Mommy Management!

When I first started this blog I wanted it to be separate from my weight loss blog and from my creative blog. I wanted to be my parenting/family blog. I was couponing at the time and part of a couple fun groups that would give extra coupons or free stuff if I would blog for them. I really did like doing that, but with the economy here in Montana and my hubby being in the construction field (although he is working more than most people in that field), I had to go back to work. I was working for a friend at the time and that kinda turned into more of a problem than a money solution, so we parted ways and I got a job at The Pita Pit!! :)

At first, I was little worried about actually being out in public and working with more than one other person. I had been out of the work force for YEARS! I volunteered and kept busy as a mom and wife, but I really hadn't been on someone else's schedule and had demands from complete strangers in a long time!

My first day I was scared, but excited! But my boss and my co-workers were so easy going and fun to be around. Even with our lunch rushes, we worked as a team and it all got done. We really are a little family there. :) Of course, customer service and food service-period, is a double-edged sword. But, there are more positives than negatives.

I was able to start bringing a paycheck home and it felt so good. :) I also made friends and have met and come into contact with some amazing people. :) My life is richer now than it has been for a while. :)

Another plus? I started losing weight and that felt good. :) Working at The Pita Pit is very physical at times. :) I was worried that working with food would cause me to gain weight. But I have not gained at all! AND...I wore  capris today that were a little tight last year. :) They were comfy! :) So- THAT is nice also! :)

The only downside of working was the fact I didn't really have time to scrapbook and craft like I did and I also didn't have time to blog either. My scrapbooking came to a complete halt. My blogging did also, but I also didn't have a lot to say.

While I was not doing that stuff though, I was watching a lot of Youtube! I started falling in love with vlogging. Vlogging is blogging, but in a video. I have some faves that I really like. Some of them are just funny and some of them are helpful. :)

I wondered to myself if I could ever do that. I figured that maybe if I could, it would be fun. I wasn't sure though what I would even vlog about.

I decided that no matter what I do or what job I work..I will always me a MOM. I thought I should maybe be vlogging about things that would interest moms. :) So, I am hoping that between vlogging and BLOGGING, that I will have some type of fun. :) I hope so anyway.

I have even started a Youtube Channel and hope to get that on this blog also. :) I only have one video on there right now so you aren't missing anything. :)

Thanks for stopping! :) Become a follower and share if you would like. :)

Taking Care of YOU: Mentally

I would like to start by saying that I am sorry that I have not kept true to posting everyday or at least every other day.  Shortly after I first wrote my first post on here, I had sort of a "stress fracture" in my head.

I just had a lot of stresses with working for a friend, which you would think wouldn't be hard, but it's stressful because you don't want to let your friends down. I was also on four different design teams which all had deadlines, family stuff (summer sports camps, taking kids places they needed to be, and trying to keep things somewhat organized), my hubby's job not having straight full time hours (Thank God I coupon), trying to keep bills paid, fighting with Bank of America for our home and trying to make EVERYONE else happy. It slowly clicked down on a countdown to a little bit of a mental breakdown for me.

I really thought I could handle EVERYTHING.  After all- I bought my first home when I was 19. I worked 2 jobs (one full time and one part time) and went to college before Garth and I decided to have kids. I just figured it was something I could still accomplish---5 pounds of crap in a 2 pound bag.

But  I couldn't. It was a very humbling experience for me to realize I had to dwindle down my "TO DO" list drastically. I am a person who had 2 planners, 4 calendars, dry erase boards, etc., etc.  Just to keep myself organized.  First thing I did?  I stepped down from all of my design teams.  But I was still stressed. So, I decided that I needed to start planning more with our extended families also.  I called my mom and dad to try to set up weekly dinners and that was a GO! :) With Garth's family, I go over there weekly and try to talk to my mom-in-law daily so setting up things is always easy for them. :)

We tried to start a budget, but with school coming up, it was proving to be a tad difficult---so we set a loose budget for ourselves and will revisit that later! :)

I called my doctor, who I have a GREAT and very straight forward relationship. She knows my mental medical history and knows most of what goes on in my head.  You see, I have BPD (Bi Polar Disorder) and it really didn't surface, although I am always sure it was there until I had my daughter, Sasha, in 2007.  I ended up being diagnosed with PPD (Post Par tum Depression) after having her and that is when the BPD really surfaced.

I have been told I "should" be on meds for it, BUT the meds I need would cause birth defects in a baby. Well, neither my husband nor I have been "fixed". So, until we cross the bridge of being sure we are finished having children---my antidepressants will have to do.  My doctor did up the strength on them though and I am somewhat straightened out.

Here's the deal:  Yes, I have a mental illness. It doesn't give me an excuse to run amuck with my emotions, mistreat people, or lie. Although, I have never been too good at lying....I always fidget and smile when I even try---so I figured out a LONG time ago--what's the point of it?

But it also doesn't or at least shouldn't give people the right or "ammo" to attack me and then when I get upset and fight back---to say, "You need to get on your meds."  Really? I never seem to hear that unless I am disagreeing with people.  I really have only had one person throw it in my face.

This is what I mean by, "Taking Care of You".  The first time this person did this I was like: " Hmmm....ok." And honestly, they were a friend and figured they would not do it anymore because I told them it did hurt me.  Well, it's happened a second time and I have officially washed my hands of that person.

So, what I am saying to all you moms out there is: GET RID OF THE TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS!!! If a person attacks you repeatedly and brings up something that they know cuts you....Do you want that in your life?

Also, when taking care of you. If a friendship is one sided...Do yourself a favor...Drop it.  If they aren't there for the little stuff you need them for; they won't be there when it matters. There are plenty of people out there who want to be friends with you, who have realized that like every relationship, a friendship takes time and equal measures of give and take.

Also--above all else, remember what really matters:  YOUR FAMILY. Your kids and for some of us, your husband and those you are responsible for. They should always be your main priority.  Keep the relationship in your family straight forward and hide NOTHING.  When you try to hide things...that causes stress.

Ultimately, you know what you?your mind can handle. Don't overwork yourself, but don't just sit and do nothing....your family is watching you. Get out there and do things as a family...an activity.  And people, TV isn't a family activity....board games are....TV isn't.  You have no idea how many families make a day of just watching TV....once in a while, its ok...every weekend...NOT SO MUCH.

My wish for you is to keep healthy.

Take care of you and yours. :)

One of my many reasons for this blog.......

Hey all! :) Well, one of my many reasons for creating this blog is because I like to share....a lot! :) LOL! And I am one of the many lucky people out there who are part of VocalPoint. VocalPoint is a site that has everything from exclusive coupons and offers to recipes and hints and tips on just about everything! :)

Well, I became a part of VocalPoint about two months ago and have received everything from coupons for free product like juices and salad to free products to try that hadn't been released in stores yet. :)

Well a month or so ago...I received this little goodie in the mail box. :)

What it is, is an in-laundry scent booster.  I was skeptical at first, because during the summer...with fire pit parties, BBQs, The Fourth of July (that smell from the fireworks), camping, sweating....etc....there are smells that you sometimes would like TOTALLY out of your laundry. :) Well, I am happy to report that this little product from Downy....really works. I was given the "fresh" scent to try and I loved it. I loved our clothes coming out smelling so clean. :)

I was at Target last night (Thursday) and by their registers I saw my Target had Downy Unstoppables for $5.88. :) Now, I haven't found a coupon for this yet, but when I do...I will post a link on my blog. :)

If you would like to register on VocalPoint and get in on the fun and possibly get things sent to you to try....register HERE!!

Thanks for looking! :)

Exhausted? Me? NEVER!!!! ;)

Do you all ever feel like that is the front you all have to put up?

As a mom, who only really works part time out of the house, but full time between the design teams I am on and then the constant doing and redoing of my house (don't ask....but don't you ever just realize that as a woman....nothing seems organized enough?) During the summer, I am finding that I am staying up later because I am catching up with things IN the house once the sun goes down. LOL! Then half way in doing that...my son asks me to have a few Mortal Kombat matches with him on the 360. How can I say no? Would you?

Last night, err....This morning, I went to bed at 9:30am...my mind would JUST NOT SHUT OFF! I was going over bills, schedules, projects, menus, grocery lists.....etc. I literally tried everything I could.  I tried reading, writing, drawing, just lying there (which never works, because then my mind thinks..."well you can at least think.....your just laying there!"). I played some FreeCell and some Solitaire and still nothing. Finally, I think I just gave up....and that is when I slept.

At noon, Sasha (my daughter), comes in (Yes, we all sleep really late in this house except for my hubby during the summer.) and she just started talking and I hopped up and started my day.  I do try to get up really early at times and that NEVER works for me to sleep normal hours either. I have literally exhausted every option out there.

Now, I sit at my computer with my Lady Gaga going, my daughter performing, my son and hubs playing Gears of War....I actually feel very complete and not tired at all. :) Are we, as moms, just used to no rest at all, because that is how we are made? I can't even say it is the training we all go through when our kids are born that caused us to not sleep or go on very few hours of sleep. Garth (my hubs) helped tremendously with BOTH kids. Are we all a kind of MOMMY BOT? LOL!

I am really not sure about that, BUT I keep talking about it and tomorrow, which is pay day for us. I am gonna run out and get something like this:

And I am gonna try it! But until then....Once I put my energetic family to bed after a little entertainment from my daughter...I will try to sleep. :) Here is what I watch for entertainment (sorry it is sideways...I was doing it with my camera!) :

Have a good night! :)

Hi! Nice to meet you! :)

Hey all! Well, the first blog post on any blog is usually the hardest one to come up with. With my other blog, The Beautiful Life, it was a little easier, since that blog is all about creativity and now, my design team projects and just creative fun.

BUT....I am a LOT more than just a creator of paper crafts and cute things of the sort. I am a wife, a mother, a friend, a couponer, menu maker, you name it.....in one THREE LETTER WORD: MOM! I would like to think of MOM's as a step up from your usual mother. Usually, when I have heard children call their mom's "mother"...it's isn't in the most favorable situations.

MOM or MOMMY....now, those are two words that we, as mommies, hear a lot. Yes, we may get tired of hearing it, especially when we have a headache from the daily stress and it isn't late enough to have a glass of wine or cup of tea (whatever you like). BUT.....when we sit down to relax at the end of our days....it is the TITLE I am MOST proud of.  I am so happy that these two, beautiful human beings:

Call me Mom/Mommy/Mama.

I am also happy that I am married to this wonderful guy:

Now- I want this blog to be about everything NON-creative that I do. However, if I do some decorating of my home or organizing with some of my crafty stuff...you may see it here. Like these:

Made with my Cricut, Vinyl, and some totes from The Dollar Tree



You will see it here. :)

I want to also share with you some of my NOT-SO-EXTREME couponing! :) Yes, I do have a binder, but I am not like this:

Or this:

I have such an opinion on the extreme couponing thing...that I am gonna save it for another post. :) LOL! Now, it isn't totally bad (my opinion), but I have one.

I also love to garden and cook. :) And want to share tips and recipes with you, so you can be happy and have a little help from a friend. :)

I want my readers to come here and have a good time, a good chuckle, a good cry (sometimes) and just enjoy this blog. :)

I will try to get a post out every other day if not everyday. :) As I am growing my blog, I will also try to get links to other sites and blogs that are good ones for us mom's. :)

If there is anything you want me to write on....let me know. :) Just leave a comment. :)

Ok, friends, see you tomorrow. :)