Update

I have been busy.

Life never seems to stop, or slow down and let you catch your breath.

A friend and I launched a company today.  It has consumed my time for the last few months.  I'd love for you to stop by and see it.

As usual, my house has gone between a disaster and somewhat decent more times than I can count.

I am working on a new system and slowly I am getting better at these things.  I have missed bloging. 

Thanks for bearing with me while I've been dealing with life.   I am coming back, I'm just not sure when yet.

 

Perspective

There are times in life when you are in desperate need of a break.  In these times, you are moving so fast, and trying to keep up with everything that you can't even see see how badly you need a break.

The best breaks are the unexpected ones, especially when they are needed.

Sometimes breaks help you see what is important.
Sometimes breaks allow you to miss something.
Sometimes breaks let you focus on other areas.
Sometimes breaks show you things that you need to stop doing.
Sometimes breaks show you things that you are missing out on.

I had an unexpected break from blogging recently.  It came due to a storm of reasons (only one to be named).  Honestly, I wasn't sure I was going to come back.  It seemed like it was this big weight on my "to-do" list that yielded no results.  It felt like something I was working so hard on, but was stalled out.  The pressure to make it "better" and "bigger" to have a "pintrest worthy picture" in every post.  Honestly, it was getting to me, and I didn't even realize it.  It was growing to be a burden, something I had to constantly figure out, and make more time for.  Something that was a dread not a joy.

It wasn't until I left my computer at my in-laws over Christmas Vacation, and I was unable to actually write, that the pressure was taken off.  At first it was glorious, to not have this burden.  I spent the extra time on projects around the house, more time with my kids, free of the burden.  Then I began to miss it, I wanted it back.

I have blogged in some form since 2004.  I started on livejournal, moved to xanga and then eventually to blogger.  I have dabbled in wordpress, but I'm not quite ready to make that jump.  I love sharing my life with words.  Having a platform to let people know what is going on in my life, encourage others, and to share the things I love.  I in no way shape or form, wish to give up blogging.

What I am going to do, is choose to...
...free myself of the disappointment, when my traffic slows down.
...write from my heart, share things I love and invest in the blogging community.
...not compare myself to other blogs, people, pictures or writing styles.

Long story short, I had a needed break to put things into perspective, as well as focus on some other area's of my life and help me to remember much of what I posted last October.  At that point I was writing specifically about my home, not my life.  It totally applies to both.

My unexpected break has allowed me to see blogging as a "get to" again instead of feeling like I must.

Have you ever stepped away from something for a time and it helped you get some perspective?  Perspective is so important.

Six Fast and Easy Ways to Save Money when Shopping Online.

I am a HUGE fan of online shopping.  It helps me with my busy schedule to get things done.  I also love saving money!  Here are my favorite tools that I use to save when I shop online.

1. Amazon Prime
If you have not already heard, about the great thing called Amazon Prime.  Please allow me to educate you.  It is amazing!  Here are the highlighted benefits.

• Free 2 Day Shipping on most Amazon Products
• Free unlimited streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows
• Free books for Kindle owners (up to one per month on select devices)
• Membership cost: $79 per year

I did all online shopping for my kids this year.  Ordering with free 2 day shipping means that I got my gifts quickly, and was easily able to take advantage of the deals and not have to add in pricing.  It ALSO provides free streaming of movies.  It has a great selection, some of it crosses over with Netflix (which we have and love), but Amazon has Nickelodeon shows, and more BBC options, and we LOVE Doctor Who.  It is also CHEAPER than Netflix for one year, and has a rental option for those who are cheap, and don't do cable.  If you are a mom who has kids in diapers, than you may want to look into Amazon Mom, while it doesn't include the streaming or other freebies, it does offer you great prices (20% off!) on things you use all the time, without having to leave your home with kids in tow.  Our family has easily covered and more than the Amazon Prime's $79 membership cost, and save tons of money and time this year!

2. Ebates
A free program where you get a percentage of cash back for shopping online!  Did I mention it is FREE!!!  All you do is signup for free, and then shop from the ebates link provided.  You still qualify for any other discounts the site is offering and then each quarter you get either a check or money into your PayPal account.  Here is the other GREAT thing, you can still use discount codes, or anything else a regular shopper would!  For example, if you knew you were going to make a BIG purchase at a place like Home Depot, you could easily buy it through ebates, and then select the "pick up in store" option.  You get an extra percentage back in cash (currently it is 3%), plus if you use a rewards credit card, you can usually get an additional 1-5% back.  Which will significantly drop your overall cost.  LOVE IT!  It also provides great coupon codes for you to use for additional savings!

3. Retail Me Not
If you haven't used this before, you are missing out!  It has a fabulous site with great coupons, and also has a great mobile app for in stores.  I always check this site before ordering on line.  It is such a fast and easy way to save money!

4. Free Shipping
This site gives you some great codes for free shipping that you can use to get your goods to you for free!  Sometimes it even has extra coupon codes as well!

5. Member Sites
There are lots of these sites, the ones that i have used personally are Joss & Main for home goods and Zulilly for kids/home.  It is FREE to sign up/join.  They are great because you can get brand name items for half the cost!  They each have "events" which only last a set amount of time and they only have selected products, but if you are patient and wait you can find KILLER deals on great products that rarely go on sale anywhere else.

6. YOU!
As the consumer you have the power!   Plan ahead, spend a few minutes to google a coupon code, or wait for sales and you can save your family tons of money.  I don't know about you, but I love saving money, the more the better!  The best way for you to save money online shopping is by being smart, spending a few minutes going through these tips, or even better discover your own!

What tips do you use when shopping online?  How have you saved money?

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