Birthdays Come and Birthdays Go...

But do we cry? Goodness No! - Pete the Cat

And just like that, I'm another year older. 

This year, April 14th officially put me in my late 30's. The "twilight" of the decade. It marks 20 years since I have graduated high school and 20 years since I was proclaimed by the USA that I was officially, and legally, an adult. 

I'm not really old - but I'm no spring chicken. I've had 38 years to grow and mature, learn and be schooled. Forty and the expectations for how wonderful that decade will be (as all the magazines, and Oprah, proclaim these days) is calling me. "You are fully aware of who you are in your 40s.." they claim. 40 is when you really come into yourself. 

So that means I have two more years to make my bullshit thirties count? 

I remember turning 28 and loving it. Feeling mature, yet young. No kids, married, working - sleeping in on weekends and staying up late. Your late twenties are the great equalizer of life. Even the people who still haven't gotten life together, who still act as if they are in college, are fun to hang out. Some people had it together and were reaping the benefits of having a good income. But it didn't matter because you were young!

But 38 is a different story. I am young compared to some. But also feeling the pull of middle age - gravity, hormone changes, the crap part. No longer can I lay on the beach in reckless abandonmnet. Now I'm there in a big hat with 50+ sunscreen all over my body, yelling at my kids to be careful. My world revolves around this tricky game of balance - kids, work, me, marriage, home - a juggling act that can come crashing down at a moments notice. Am I sad or depressed about it? No. But there is a part of me that longs for the days where I had less to juggle on a daily basis.

Then I look ahead 10 years to 48... I'll have an almost 20 year old and a 16 year old! Where will I be? WHO will I be at that point?

I can't even begin to imagine. 

I'll Try That Week! {take 2} It Works Ultimate Body Wrap

{So, my well planned out "I'll try that week!" that I started a few weeks ago was derailed by our family dog dying, then spring break, then sick kid and life exploding. I'm getting back... slowly}

We all know there are no miracle cures when it comes to losing weight and getting the body that you "pintasize" about {You know, your Pinterest fantasy body board?} but there are things that can help. Its been roughly 90-days since I've gone "meat free," I've been working myself out and I've been trying and trying to shed some lbs. So when my friend Nicole from Jr. High contacted me about these new body wraps that "help you firm up and lose inches," by It Works, I had to try them out. 

So, I invited Christine and Nicole over one afternoon and we put these wraps to the test. 

Expect "ultimate" results with this amazing 45-minute body Applicator! The Ultimate Body Applicator is a non-woven cloth wrap that has been infused with a powerful, botanically-based formula to deliver maximum tightening, toning, and firming results where applied to the skin.

• Tightens, tones, & firms
• Minimizes cellulite appearance
• Improves skin texture & tightness
• Mess-free and simple to use
• Results in as little as 45 minutes
• Progressive results over 72 hours
• Made with natural ingredients

That sounds pretty good, huh? 

So (Jr. High) Nicole came over, and although I hadn't seen her about 24 years, I lifted my shirt and let her wrap my belly fat. Yes... it was one of "those moments.."

While I am INCREDIBLY too vain (and slightly horrified) to show you the pictures of me being wrapped, lets just she gave us each one for free and we promptly bought more. This product really worked. in 45 minutes I lost 3/4 ths of an inch, in 24 hours it was almost 2 inches, and 72 hours after doing the 2nd wrap, my waist was over 4 inches smaller. But even nicer was the way my (ruined from pregnancy) stomach skin was... it was tighter and just looked better. 

Now, this is not a water-weight thing as with other "wraps" - this product removes the toxins in the skin, in turn tightening the skin which is why you lose the inches. Results don't go away in 24 hours either, and in most cases results can last 2 months* You can use it on your belly, chin, thighs, butt or even on your boobs for a little "lift."

I have to say I was impressed by the results. While I didn't turn into a super-model overnight, I saw a change in the apperance in the skin on my belly. This would be a great thing to do before an event or before a bathing suit occasion.

The only bad thing about them was that I could not wrap my body in them like a mummy and take care of everything at once. 

If you are interested in trying them out - contact Nicole Walker and like a back ally crack dealer, she will hook you up. Wraps are $25 each, but if you want to buy more products or just keep them coming in a steady stream to your front door, you can sign-up to be a "Loyal Customer" and get HUGE discounts.

So go - order - and get ready for swimsuit season.

*according to the company's website

Last-Minute Tax Crunch: Avoid ID Theft During The Last Minute Scramble!

Image courtesy of [Arvind Balaraman] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The last day to file your taxes is only one week from today. If you are a last minute filer, you are probably scrambling, and a bit stressed, right now. And we all know that stress can impair your ability to be able to clearly think through your actions. Ahhh, Tax season + stressed-out, doing things in a rush, not really paying attention to details people = online identity thieves PAY DAY!

Think about it the reasons why tax-time identity theft is higher*: 

• Sensitive documents will be exchanged, sent, and shared between employers, employees, and tax preparers and online tax sites.
• Large amounts of money will be moving across accounts, especially online.
• Scams are easy to pull off during this busy time – people are quick to react to mail (or email) from the IRS because they want to get their returns. 

So what do you need to remember about identity protection during this last minute rush to get your taxes handled? 

Filing Online May Actually Be Safer

While we hear all the time about hackers and online security breaches, filing online may be the safer way to go. Why? Because you are not sharing your personal information with "strangers." Your paperwork isn't being handled and filed by office assistants, post office employees or other random people.

Secure Your Computer:

To ensure the safety of online filing, check that your computer is "clean" and all security systems are up-to-date. Make sure free of malware and spyware that can steal a copy of your SSN or bank account password. Also make sure the software you are using is from a trusted source and save a copy of your return on an external thumb drive instead of on your computer. 

Think Things Through

Continue to think about these risks for the next few months and continue to protect yourself from fraudlent activity. Be suspicious of any calls or emails purporting to be from the IRS, no matter what the issue. For example, some scams claim that someone else has already filed tax returns in your name or with your SSN. The IRS will always write to you first, will rarely call, and will never email you. Another tip is to Never confirm your SSN or bank account details by email or over the phone unless you are the one placing the call.

Good luck and now get filing!

*source: Protect Your Identity at Tax Time

*disclaimer: This is a sponsored post from Identity Guard. 

Vacation, Had To Get Away

Spring Break by hipmamab featuring beach cover ups

{almost} Wordless Wednesday

Because today, words can't express what I'm feeling...