1. “You Are awesome”
2. Be Thankful

These are just two things I sometimes need to be reminded of. The second one is actually pretty recent, and I added it after reading a quote on Pinterest. It read, roughly: what if you woke up tomorrow and only have the things you thanked God for today. Now, I’m not religious, but it got me to thinking. I often struggled with my anxiety but being grateful is something that is not only becomes more difficult with anxiety but it can ease anxiety. Double-edge sword and all. Still, I wanted to be more grateful and making a running list makes me feel pretty awesome.

For example, I’ve been able to get gift cards for working with websites like EdenFantasys. I’ve tried some pretty awesome products because of this blog — and for free! I’ve even made some money. Aside from my websites, I’ve had a fantastic time recently with my best friend, who just moved back to the area.

One thing that I am consistently grateful for is a hot shower, with a great-smelling body wash . Starting the day off feeling fresh and clean does wonders for my mood. Sometimes, I’ll be in a funk and forget how much those simple things can do to lift me up. It’s that much easier to feel good, mentally and emotionally, when some awesome bath products have left my smelling good.

Sure, nothing’s perfect but, then again, nothing ever will be. There will always be trials. The best part, though? It will always pass.

In the spirit of being thankful, I’d like to thank you. Thank for you the review and giveaway opportunities. Thank you for reading and commenting. Thank you for entering giveaways. Thank you for following on Twitter and liking on Facebook. Thank you for the conversation and food for thought. I am forever in your debt.

When it comes down to it, I think the money is part of the reason that I don’t know what I am doing for my birthday. I’d love to have a big bash or even a picnic in the park, but money’s always a little tight and, if I go to a restaurant, everyone will pay for themselves. Of course, it’s always a little more comfortable if we hang out at my house, or even in an open and public area. Last year, I did dinner with a variety of friends, most of whom ditched me once we got home. It was obvious that it was a group that wasn’t super comfortable together.  It was awkward and made me feel pretty damned uncomfortable.

So, while I’d like to have a big shindig at my house, I can’t/don’t want to pay for it, but I’d really like something a little more enjoyable. Perhaps I’ll do dinner with a few close friends and invite other people over for s’mores over a fire pit or just head back here for some movies and games. I suppose, it should all be about what I want, in the end. It is my birthday after all, I just have a hard time not trying to please everyone (ask Christie).

That’s pretty obvious if you’ve read any of these posts. Unless you count my kitty babies, I’m not the maternal type and that’s kind of my thing at this point in my life.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against moms. Many of my friends are moms. It only makes sense. My peers are having babies, multiple babies, which means that many of them are now, sort of, “Mom Bloggers.” Actually, most of them fight against that label, because they were all bloggers long before they were moms. You see, when I started blogging, it was very much a teenaged thing. It wasn’t something that your mom did (ha!). It was a young trend and we were all ranting about boys, boybands and high school. That’s not quite how I remember it, but you get the picture.

So to call these women “Mom Bloggers” is almost insulting. Sure, they talk about their kids and some of them only do that, now, but there’s a lot of history that the label overlooks. I know that many of my friends — Jenn, Ashley and Dez, among others — have struggled to differentiate themselves as more than just moms.

I face a not-entirely-dissimilar fight, but it’s not too similar. The fight I am in and the frustration I feel is directly related to the fact that, as a non-mom review blogger, I am constantly overlooked. I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this time and again but, somehow, people aren’t getting the message. Which people? Other bloggers, community owners and PR folks, for one. If I see another pitch directed specifically toward mom bloggers, I feel like I might scream. Mothers are not the only people who shop or who have something to say. Hell, they’re not the only people who have children in their lives, either.

It’s not an issue of gender, because I feel like the label is still more appropriate for a father than it is for me. I am none of the above. I understand that mom bloggers are now on the scene and they are the majority, especially when it comes to non-tech reviews. However, just because I am in the minority doesn’t mean that I cease to exist or that I am not worth acknowledging. Yet, somehow there are dozens of review websites/communities/organizations specifically for moms but not a single one that exists for non-moms.

You know what the easiest remedy to this is? Simply address the community, your readers or other bloggers as “review bloggers.” That way, I never feel excluded and any mom blogger who also writes reviews knows you’re talking to her, too. I mean, it’s really that simple! Why is it that people can’t do that, though? I may not be, say, Gizmodo or Engadget, but if you were to address a message to them, you sure as hell would respect them for what do they: review blogging. Why don’t I deserve the same consideration?

I imagine that I am like most women when shopping for cosmetics. I want something that will smooth, balance, highlight and perfect but without stripping me of my natural identity. I’m not a drag queen nor am I some crazy cosplayer. I just want a little help, not a mask. To me, this sort of advertising gimmick does more harm than help for these brands. The women they use as the faces of their brands become even more removed from me and this type of promotional material doesn’t realistically help me decide of a certain cosmetic is right for me.

And isn’t the point of using a well-known model or actress as your spokesperson so that people can recognize them? How can you possibly be helping to sell more product if the consumers have no idea who they’re looking at? I have this thought every once in a while, when I spot advertising that makes this mistake. I don’t know how these ads, but I’m not the first to say “WTF?!” to Rimmel’s ads with Zooey. The one I saw is below, what do you think?

I once read some advice about picking a main theme or piece to use as a basis for your decor and, in San Antonio, I used a large wall mirror for that purpose. However, there’s no room to put it up in my current apartment so it’s leaning against a wall. It definitely makes me a little sad because it’s a very nice piece. But the rest of my decor, which uses an autumny golden orange theme doesn’t seem to match because it’s not up.

I could also definitely use a lesson in grouping and choosing items that either match or contrast in a way that helps to make the decor of a room feel complete and well thought out. My interest in this definitely had a correlation to watching all those home design shows and now sites like Pinterest or Houzz make it even easier to get ideas from people who are more creative — and experienced! — than I am. A decor coffee table book would be cool, too.

Coming from the North, I certainly spent less time in the sparkling waters of a pool that’s freshly cleaned with pool filters but it was an entirely different issue when I lived in Texas. Every complex had its own pool — I’m sure some had several — so it was easy to access a pool all day long. Ironically, I never stepped foot into the pool in my apartment complex because I’d just become so accustomed to not using a pool.

1. A gift card can go toward my necessities, like food, clothing or household goods.
2. A $10 gift card is always more useful than a $10 item than I don’t need but a $10 gift card is infinitely more useful than a $100 item for which I have no use.
3. Gift cards give me a choice in what I win so I can be really excited.
4. Some gift cards can be used online so I don’t even have to leave my house or I can still shop from stores that aren’t in the area.

But gift cards have perks if you’re holding the giveaway, too!

1. Gift cards appeal to more people (see my #2 above).
2. Gift cards blur the geographical lines. Sure, I may be in Wisconsin but if I giveaway a gift card to a company that has a website and ships worldwide, I’ve just expanded my giveaway (and potential readership).
3. Gift cards are cheap to send. Throw ‘em in an envelope, or even better, click “Send.” Anyone who has had to mail off their own prizes understands the frustration about this one.

Do you also love gift card giveaways?

You see, several years ago, Ryan bought me flowers for Valentine’s Day while he was deployed. He was pretty good about that and I expected it but the day came and went without flowers. At first, he hinted that I should be receiving something but I didn’t. Finally, he confessed in frustration, that he had purchased me flowers. Several days went by without notice. I then stopped into out apartment complex office and, lo and behold, there were flowers for me there… except, I’d been home the entire day so the delivery person hadn’t even tried to bring them to my door or leave a note. I was pretty unimpressed with that service. I don’t even remember if the flowers contained the additives and I’d already missed out on several days of enjoyment.

Deliveries are something that can often be problematic. I know because I purchase a lot of good online but part of being a successful online retailer is not just having a website that is easy to use or competitive prices. A lot of people are willing to spend more when they know they’ll get more — IE timely delivery or personal interaction — that’s why mom and pop businesses are still in business.

So it’s pretty coincidental that I just discovered an entire website dedicated to low income housing that does just does. I put in a quick search in my local area and other areas that I wouldn’t mind living in to see what popped up. Some expected apartment complexes showed up and even a couple townhomes.

The nice thing about the Low Income Housing Authority website is that is also has information regarding a variety of other topics. For example, there are pages about applying for Section 8 housing benefits (vouchers) as well as foodstamps (EBT) and even advice if you are dealing with an eviction or foreclosure. Unfortunately, these things have always applied in our society but it seems like they are even more common with the housing bubble burst and today’s economic climate.

Although the Low Income Housing authority website is focused on housing, the information there is beneficial to anyone who is struggling financially and it’s a resource that puts it all together in one place. It’s definitely something that I think more people need to know about and could potentially help before before the downward spiral.

More than once, I have considered doing away with a contract phone plan for a more wallet (purse?) friendly option like Straight Talk. The only reason we get such a great deal on our phones and plan is because we knew someone who worked for one of the big four phone companies. In fact, it seems like you’re almost shooting yourself in the foot if you sign up for an individual contract; it’s only cost effective if you share the plan with some people. It absolutely seems to me like Straight Talk’s customers agree with me, judging from the videos you can find online.

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It’s great that there’s no activation or termination fees and I’d especially like the $45 per month unlimited plan. It has everything you need including calls, messaging and Internet data. You know I couldn’t live without Internet on my phone and Straight Talk has a few smart phones, including Nokias, which I’ve used before. I probably couldn’t make it on the “All You Need” plan, because it only includes 1,000 minutes, 1,000 texts and 30 MB of web data but I’m sure others could.

One of the cool things about this company is the bility to buy a reconditioned phone, which was previously used, for $10. That’s a lot nicer than the hundreds of dollars the big companies are asking for. If you want cell service to call a friend, Straight Talk is a lot cheaper than paying for all the features you don’t need.

You don’t have to take it from me; all the current customers are happy enough and surely some of them qualify under the cliche “mom knows best.” Just stop by their website yourself. If you like what you see, Straight Talk might work well for you.