Movies, Blogging Giveaways and Challenges, Fantasy Footall and Sick Babies - Random Wednesday

This is totally a post of a bunch of random things so it works out perfectly for a Random Wednesday link-up with Shanna!

• G and I went to see the Hunger Games: Catching Fire in iMAX last night. OMG AMAZING! Loved it! Granted I haven't read the book since before the 1st movie came out so I wasn't sitting there comparing the book to the movie the whole time since I don't exactly remember all of the book whereas I had JUST finished reading the books when I saw the first movie so I was constantly comparing the movie to the book and the book is always better (I've never NOT had that be the case). I'm sure that's the case with the 2nd as well but since I don't remember the book, I loved the movie! Oh yea, there was a preview (well more like a commercial before the real previews started) for Flowers in the Attic, the movie coming on Lifetime in January. I can't wait to see it. I loved those books when I was younger! All the rest of the previews sucked. I usually enjoy watching them to see what is coming out (even though I only go to the movies like twice a year and redbox everything lol) but not ONE of the movies intrigued me. That's what I get for seeing an action/special effects type movie - all the previews were for similar type movies and I have NO desire to see any of them. Give me chick flicks, romantic comedies, or dramas, you can keep the rest!

• Remember how I said in my Space Coast Recap that I was feeling ready for my half on Saturday, yea well, I lied. Initially I was feeling good, but the last day or so my "bad" foot (they are both "bad" but my right foot is all kinds of fused together and has had several surgeries so when I say "bad" I'm referring to that one. My left foot only had a bunionectomy and seems fine now, so it's still dubbed my "good" foot) has been hurting and if it stays hurting like it is, I will SO not be looking forward to it! Hopefully it'll clear up in the next 3 days!

• I've been entering a lot of blog giveaways lately (I never knew these existed before I started blogging a few months ago) and because most them require you to follow the giveaway sponsors' blogs, I am now following a bajillion blogs on blogloving, GFC, FB, and Twitter. I've come across a lot of really good ones that I enjoy reading on a regular basis. Which I really want to participate in one of those giveaways to get my name out there, does anyone know how? Well, I actually WON one of the giveaways. I was beginning to think no one actually won these things and it was just a way for them to get followers since I hardly ever heard about the winners, but it appears they contact the winners privately, at least that is what Jessica @ Here & Now did when I won). So I won this beautiful (and apparently popular in the celebrity fashion world - which I of course did not know lol) Dogeared Hugs & Kisses XO Sterling Silver Necklace  ($48.00 value!) from the Jeweler's Wife. I received it quickly after providing my address and it came in a nice box from the Jeweler's Wife.  Woohoo!

• I've entered the #2014BloggerChallenge. I can't recall where I first saw about this (see above and how I follow a bajillion blog now) but thought it would be a fun idea (and give me new topics, although I haven't yet had any trouble of things to blog about) From the host's blog: "The challenge is to write a blogpost twice a month about different topics. The #2014bloggerchallenge posts will go live during the 1st and the 3rd weeks of each month. Everyone who signs up will be sent an email with the post topics. The topic ideas are there to give you new ideas and encourage you to write about things you wouldn't normally write about." It's still open for entries through December 9th so go visit her blog if you are interested in joining. 

• Remember how I started playing Fantasy Football this year? Well it is the end of the "regular season" in my one (money) league and I'm inin 4th place (3rd in my division)!. Not too bad for a first timer! I have a chance of winning at least my money  back or even more if I do well in the playoffs. My record for that team "Bad News Beers" is 7-6. In my other (fun) league I have the same record with my team "Woo Girls" but am in 6th place (2nd in my division) and we have one more week to play before playoffs. I'd have to say I'm definitely enjoying playing but "care" more about winning in the money league (Obviously!). I think I'll continue to play next year. I've had a good experience with it, although I do need to learn more about the players (and watch more games) in regards to trades and additions and not just rely on other people's opinions and start forming my own. 

• EM has been sick for the past week and every time she gets a cold her eyes get super "gooky" (crusty/full of eye boogers) so daycare sends her home. This time is no exception. They always say they think it's pink eye and that she has to be out for at least 24 hours  (we took her to the DR the last two times and they reassured us both times it's just her way of getting out all the extra mucus since her face is so little but regardless we have to keep her home). So of course, she went back to daycare Monday (she hasn't been there since Wednesday of last week due to the Holiday) and her eyes were gooky and they called me around lunch time to pick her up. I explained to them that she always gets like this when she's sick but that I understand their concern and will come get her. They told me she could come back Tuesday if her eyes were clear. And of course, they weren't clear Tuesday morning so I kept her home with me again. Luckily, my company now allows telecommuting (on a non-reoccurring basis) for things that come up and this is the perfect opportunity to use it. I love working from home. I get so much MORE done without all the  office space distractions. Granted it takes me longer than the typical 9 hours to get 9 hours of work in since I obviously have to tend to EM as well but it's better than missing an entire day of work plus I don't have to commute!  EM plays so nicely down on the floor next to me while I work and took a long 2 hour nap. At this age, it's possible to get a full day in easily with her home. EM is acting more than fine and hopefully they won't send her home today after I drop her off.  BTW, EM is on a nebulizer  for her cough and that thing is pure torture, poor thing screams bloody murder every time we use it although when G does it he doesn't have to pin her arms down (to not rip off the mask) and she seems much calmer so he's now the one who administers the nebulizer. The two times I've seen him give it to her she barely cries and doesn't try to rip it off. Must be that Daddy touch! Hopefully we can discontinue using the torture device soon. Really hoping before our cruise on Sunday!

Little Girl BUSTED
was such a nice day out, had the door open and she threw her toys on the patio

Taking the Nebulizer like a champ for Daddy

Do you ever enter Blog Giveaways? Have you ever won? What? 

Do you play Fantasy Football? any pointers?

Veterans Day, Fantasy Football and Boxes - Totally Posted Tuesday

Yesterday was Veterans Day and I forgot to even update my FB status, which I know isn’t a huge deal but I do like to let my FB Vets know I appreciate them. Working in the defense industry, I have a higher appreciation for the military because I am so closely surrounded by all things military. I get to see cool videos, meet lots of soldiers and we have some amazing guest speakers for events. Yesterday was no exception. Michael Durant came to speak to us for Veterans Day. On October 3, 1993, while piloting an MH60 Black Hawk in Mogadishu, Somalia, Michael Durant was shot down and held captive by hostile forces. He was released 11 days later. In 2001, his experience was depicted in the movie “Black Hawk Down.” During his hour long presentation, he touched on the importance of people, leadership and teamwork for mission success. His speech was very motivational. After being released, he was told he would never fly again (and being a pilot, his dream since a young boy, this was crushing) and at the time he couldn’t even walk due to having his spine crushed (plus a multitude of other injuries). He chose to put his all into recovery, and 10 months later he ran a marathon! He said his top 2 goals were to a) finish and b) beat Oprah’s time. He did both. I never knew Oprah ran a marathon, and was pretty impressed with her time once I looked it up, but even more impressed with Mr. Durant. He overcame some serious hardships; just fighting for his life/release! It is men like him that truly make me proud to be an American! I’m not trying to downplay other military roles by any means (his was just fresh in my mind since I saw him speak yesterday). Every single person in the military and their families deserve the recognition (more than just on Veterans Day) for the sacrifices they make, especially those that endure the ultimate sacrifice, their life. I plan to read his book “In the Company of Heroes” when we go on our cruise later this month and I have some down time. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see “Black Hawk Down” soon, too. He said is a relatively realistic movie (as far as Hollywood goes). I read he worked closely with the actor who played him, so that probably helped.

What he looked like when forced to be recorded while held captive. 

What he looks like now! (Images from Google)

Woohoo, I won both my Fantasy football games this week! One was against my undefeated Hubby in our Friends Fun League (no money) and the other was in our Community Money League! I have a 5-5 record in both leagues, not too shabby for my 1st year playing!

So you know that one box (or some people have several) you have when you move? You know the one I’m talk about, the one that never gets unpacked. You usually move it from house to house each time you move. Well my one box was actually three, and they were created when I moved from my condo into G’s house back in 2010, they then got moved again from G’s house to our new house last year (some items were thrown away and other items were added to them). Well I’m happy to say, my boxes no longer exist! G and I made a “to-do before EM’s birthday party” list and one of the items was to go through my boxes (and he had 2 himself) that were sitting in his office. I consolidated down to one small pile of “stuff” last week and then last night I finished going through it! I do still have my box of scrapbook stuff  (which I swear I’m going to get into again, or at least be able to use the craft items in the box with EM and future sibling in a few years) but that is placed somewhere for now. Everything else was gone through, some stuff put in new places, some items listed on eBay, and most of the stuff ended up in the trash. It’s a refreshing feeling to have those boxes gone!

My interim pile from last week that is now gone!

I probably shouldn’t have learned aboutPlum District, I have a feeling my credit card is liking it too much haha It’s definitely saving me money on subscription boxes though – not that I need to add to my list, but I’ll try different ones out if I can get a good deal on them! I just bought 3 months of Bulu Box for $11.25 (regularly $30) via their Plum District Offer (it was $15 for $30 value but I had a 20% coupon code, which unfortunately expired yesterday, regardless but if you like them on FB you can get 10% off). Each month you'll receive a Bulu Boxof 4-5 premium samples; enjoy a well-rounded assortment of health, nutrition, and weight loss products to help you feel your best; samples include vitamins, energy bars, cleanse aids, workout DVDs, and more; every sample is sufficient enough to decide if the product works for you. They have a weight loss version or a regular version of the box. I’ve read quite a few reviews and seem like for half price it’s worth it to try it out! You can try to get one month entirely free (even free shipping) by signing up at Bulu Box and using promotion code “BOX6885” – it worked for me yesterday!

It's Football Season!

It's our favorite time of year! FOOTBALL SEASON! 

I've always loved football, even as a kid! Football was never big in my house growing up, my dad and brother were never into any sports really but I was a tomboy and played different sports with all the neighborhood boys (didn't have any girls nearby) and always loved football. I even remember asking my dad if iI could play and he told me no lol. As a kid my "team" was the Miami Dolphins because dolphins were my favorite animal but once I had my first college football experience I no longer cared about the NFL or the dolphins. I probably went to almost every home football game since my freshman year at UCF and actually met my husband at an away UCF bowl game. UCF's team isn't the greatest, although they are getting much better but it's the just experience that drew me in! Tailgating (drinking, grilling, and games!) is just sooo much fun and then cheering in your team to a hopeful win, ahh it's just so much fun! Thursday night was UCF's first game of the season (opening day for all college football although most games are on Saturdays) and it was a home game! I was a little disappointed I couldn't tailgate for hours like usual because I had to work but I got there with a little over an hour before the game started and had a beer some chips and soaked in all the activity! The game was great, we won, which always makes it even more fun! Since it was a night (7pm) game we decided not to take EM since she'd be ready to sleep and it wouldn't really work for her but she did wear her gameday colors! We just met up with our usual crew "TEAM TAILGATE" (hubby and some of our friends took the day off and enjoyed it more than me, jealous!!) I was definitely impressed with the turnout, unfortunately more people (students mostly) tailgate then attend the games because we haven't been the best performing, hoping one day we'll draw more people to the games as we continue to improve.

Now, ever since I found my love of College Football I never paid any attention to Pro Football. I'd watch the Super Bowl just because it was the Super Bowl and the commercials/half time show were fun to watch plus Super Bowl parties were always a good time! G on the other hand is a HUGE NFL fan as well, The Philadelphia Eagles are his team and he watches all the games and plays in several fantasy football leagues each season. As an attempt to get us girls more into NFL, our friends of "Team Tailgate" decided to start a Fantasy League. And for some reason I decided to join another league in our new neighborhood... I have no idea anything about any of the players or teams so this should be interesting, hoping to maybe have some beginners luck since between the two leagues I have $75 riding on them! How do my teams look? (Screen shots from 2 different aps and yes I know mom missing a player on one team) 

Team: Woo Girls (we all have HIMYM references)

Team: Bad News Beers