Minneapolis Recreation Examiner: Ways you can celebrate Earth day everyday

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Minneapolis Recreation Examiner: Green living expo at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds

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How to Gain Weight the Healthy Way
People with high metabolisms often wonder how to gain weight while eating a healthy diet. Learn how to gain weight through proper diet and exercise.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1575639/how_to_gain_weight_the_healthy_way.html

It has been over a week since I have been here, sorry everyone.
Still no job, but I am still cranking out the applications and sending my resume out. I did have a job offer, however, it was an internship that wouldn't have helped me towards my career path anyway.
My little "guppy" has turned 18 months today. Time has flown by so fast, my head is spinning. I love watching her learn new things and grow but I want her back to a newborn sometimes. Oh, wait I take that back, she had her sleep schedule backwards for the first 2 months after she was born so no I don't want to go back to that. 
Spring quarter started last Monday so I have been busy trying to get my schoolwork done. So far, so good. It's only been a week so it is hard to tell if it is going to go smoothly or not.
I have started on the rag rugs that my mothers friend ordered. It is my first time making rugs for someone else, I got butterflies in my stomach when she told me she wanted 2 of them. I felt like I was about to go sing on stage in front of thousands of people. I hope, hope, hope they turn out okay.
My darling "ladybug" ( I am being a bit sarcastic about the darling part) has been living with her father for now and her attitude has changed for the worse. About a year ago, even as recent as a few months ago, she would call me every morning and I would call her every night. In the past month she rarely calls and I would try to call her but she would sound like she is disgusted that I had the nerve to call her. The only thing good that has come out of this whole thing is that I said I was sorry to my own mother for not calling her as much as I should. I am just so bothered by this whole thing, I feel as though ladybug doesn't need me anymore or that I may have done something that made her mad and she isn't telling me. Even though I haven't done anything, I am always there for her, I let her know that I love her dearly and everything. I just don't have a clue what to do about this. I have already tried talking to her about it a month ago an that hasn't helped. Aren't tweens just wonderful!!!!
That's pretty much all the major things that have been going on. I really am going to try to post at least twice a week.

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090331/ap_on_re_us/salmonella_pistachios
Came upon this article. More contanimated food....geez what next

I received a letter from the company I went to interview with, stating they decided not to fill position! Um yea alrighty then....I applied for 2 more jobs last night, it has become almost a nightly ritual for me. There is barely any jobs for people with mostly retail experience. I am so frustrated with the whole job thing it is making me distracted and depressed. I am still feeling pressure from Don which makes it even worse. It is making me start to resent him and I hate that feeling.
A few days ago I was extremely tired, Emma needed a bath so I asked Don to do it ( I shouldn't even have to ask my daughters father to bathe her!!!), he said that he just wants to relax. I figured out at that moment that if he doesn't want to do it then I have to, and what if I don't want to do it?? Then it doesn't get done. I realize he works hard but I do too. It is hard to raise kids and be at home taking care of them every single day with no one to help out except Don. I don't have any family that lives close to me so I rarely get a break from the kids. I love my children dearly but sometimes I need a break from them and I am sure they need a break from me too (lol). I feel like I do everything around the house and I am wore out. I tell Don that I need help because of the many things I have going on right now but it seems like he has no motivation to help out at all. Thankfully I have break from school right now, starts again on Monday though.
I someetimes think that maybe I have put too much on my plate but everything I am doing needs to be done. The house won't clean itself, I like a clean house. It drives me nuts having clutter everywhere, too hard to think straight with things scattered all over. I am in the process of making rugs, purses and other things to try and make some money so that eats up a lot of time. I also write to make a little money, it isn't much but it is a start. I am trying but Don doesn't see that, he was supportive in the beginning but he seems to have lost that.
I am trying so hard to be positive but it is getting harder as each day passes. Maybe I am just having one of those days.
Time to start my day now.

Free Fish Coloring Pages and Activities for Kids
If your kids love fish then here is an useful list of links fish related printables. There are craft ideas, clip art, coloring pages and more!
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1592256/free_fish_coloring_pages_and_activities.html

Baby is still wide awake, my throat hurts and I need to get a few things done. One of the things I need to get done after Emma goes to sleep is look for jobs again. I want one, I need one but it has been extremely hard. I am feeling pressure from Don, he says "after you get a job we will buy a better car and buy a house". I am trying like hell to apply for jobs and I am not getting anywhere. It has been causing me stress just about everyday for the past 6+ months! I am going to try to get Emma to sleep again.

Ways to Save Money While Raising Young Children
Finding ways to save money and be frugal while raising young children can be a difficult task.So, I have compiled several tips that have worked for me.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1577352/ways_to_save_money_while_raising_young.html

I hate research papers! I was on a roll, found an informative article to use as a resource and at the bottom of article it says I needed written consent to use any of the article whatsoever! I don't have time to get written consent. Okay so it's my fault that I have been putting my final draft off until a few days ago but sometimes it takes me a few days to collect my thoughts on how I plan on writting paper. I have a lot going on right now so it takes time to focus and concentrate on something such as a final research paper. Then I find an even better resource, the author is quoted in many other economic articles, but I can't access the article I need to look at. Some kind of restriction or something, I don't know! All I know is, I thought I had it all together to complete it tonight but then my bubble burst. It is almost midnight and I am irritated. It is due tomorrow at midnight, I take classes online. I hope I can complete it. it is so difficult trying to find reliable resources for what I am arguing. Most of the population are in agreement that the housing market crash is what started recession but I think the opposite. Ugh I should have picked a different topic, something easy and simple. I always try to challenege myself, even my instructor said in the beginning of the course that my topic was going to be difficult. Why do I not listen to people??? I never really have, I have always had to learn on my own. Make my own mistakes and learn from them. Must be my rebellious side seeping through.
I am also annoyed that my family is sleeping so soundly right now and here I sit trying to get my mind straight to complete a paper. Don fell asleep on the floor watching TV and I can't get him to go to bed so in the background I am hearing his loud snore.
I haven't drank alcohol in almost 3 years but I sure would love a few beers right now. I don't even know how to relax, I need to buy a DVD about relax and meditation techniques or something because I am so tense sometimes. I also need a vacation, I would love to go see my parents in the warm and sunny state of Arizona but we are trying to save money so that's not an option. I miss them so much, yes even though I am 33 I still need my mom and dad at times. It's been almost 3 years since I have seen them. Maybe after the economy gets better, Don's job gets more stable and after I get a job, then I can go see them. There were some layoffs at Don's company so we are a little worried about the stability of his job. I just hope every morning that I wake that things will be okay. I wake up positive every day, but there are situations and drama that sometimes get in the way of my positivity. I suppose it could always be worse!
Anyway, I will be busy the next few days so if I happen to not post or comment on your posts that's why.

These Are Some of the Best Two-piece Swimsuits for 2009
The swimsuit season is almost upon us. I have compiled a list to help you on your start of finding that perfect two-piece swimsuit.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1562048/these_are_some_of_the_best_twopiece.html

Seems as though my interview went well. Guess I will find out in a few days. During my interview I was asked if I could handle school,working and my kids ( is an interviewer able to even ask that?). I said I could, that it wouldn't be a problem. Well, last night I was thinking about time management and I was trying to figure out if I have good time management skills or not. I have taken on a lot in the past few months and it seems as though I never get anything done, 24 hours goes fast! Maybe I try to do too much everyday, some days I rarely sit for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time. I get about 5 hours of sleep every night because I do some of my "to do"list until around 1 in the morning then I am up around 6 or 7. I have tried the whole priority list, separating from low priority to high priority but that doesn't work to well for me because many things are on the high priority list. Do any of you have time management tips? If so, I would greatly appreciate it if you shared them with me.

I have a job interview tomorrow and I absolutely hate them. I get super nervous and can never find the right answers to the questions they ask. I have been looking for a job for far too long, I hope I get this one...I hope I hope. One of the questions I really don't like is " Where will you be in 5 years?" Like I really know where the heck I will be in 5 years, I just don't know. I have some future goals but I try to focus on what I need to accomplish today, this week or even the next few months.

Anyway,on a lighter note I watched House tonight just like I do every week ( I love Hugh Laurie) and it was a pretty good one.
Last night DH and I watched Things we lost in the fire, I cried like a big baby. It was a really good movie though. DH even teared up a bit, awww.

I will post soon and write about my interview.

Earth Day Events in Twin Cities, Minnesota
There are several events going on for Earth Day 2009. Ranging from clean-up of local parks to running a 5k.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1553417/earth_day_events_in_twin_cities_minnesota.html

So, last night I was going to post pics on LJ but I couldn't find the files in my computer! I got a little worried that something happened. This morning I asked my hubby about it and he said he shut off our external hard drive. I felt a little stupid, I should've checked lol, oh well everyone has those moments I guess.That's where we store all of our pictures, music and things like that. I was so relieved. I don't have much time to post them tonight but if I get the chance I will tomorrow

It finally got to 50 degrees today! Got my 1 1/2 year old out for a walk. She said " bye-bye tree", first time I ever heard her say that. It was fun, she loved walking through the puddles. The rest of the day was kind of ho-hum.
I have been struggling on a research paper the past 2 weeks, now my confidence level with writing has gone down a bit. I did choose a tough topic though, think I bit off more than I could chew, Ah well, guess I just do the best I can and hope for the best

I live in the frigid cold of the north and this winter has been harsh for many of us, unless you enjoy the freezing temperatures and snow then it has been a great winter. I am going stir crazy and I feel as though I am going to die of cabin fever. Even though below zero temps, lots of snow and windchills are normal for this area every winter,it seems like it has been worse than usual. Maybe it is because I am a stay at home mom with a 1 and 1/2 year old that I think is starting to go through the terrible two stage or maybe she is going stir crazy, I do not know. All I know is that it has been way too cold to take her out to even play in the backyard so our outings consist of going to the grocery store and places like that, even then we have to wait til those days where it is above about 10 or 15 degrees. Tomorrow is going to bring a glimmer of hope that maybe spring is coming; supposed to get into the 40's yay! So, I definitely will be getting my little wee one out to play in the puddles and whatever snow may be left. It is a simple thing that I am greatly looking forward to =)

Places for Families to Visit in Minnesota
To make your search for things to do in Minnesota just a little easier, I have compiled a detailed list of some indoor things you and your family can do in the Twin Cities area. I have included pricing, weblinks and contact information.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1527559/places_for_families_to_visit_in_minnesota.html

       Now a days things are tough for many of us. Lay-offs, stock market plunging, housing market is awful and many other horrible things going on with our economy. We seem to forget all the things that are good when times are bad. Some of you may feel like there is a dark cloud hanging over your head, sometimes I feel that way. When I do feel the gloom and doom I have some ways of perking myself up and keep on trudging through the hard times.
      One thing that my mother always told me was " it could be worse". Now, I am sure you are thinking how could it get any worse???? Try to think about those that rarely get to eat or those that are living on the street with no clothes except for what is on their back. Even though I do not get to go out and buy all the things I want I am thankful I have the things I need. Like socks with no holes or a warm winter coat. There are people out there who do not have those kinds of things. 
     Another is to count your blessings. Yes, it is simple but it does a world of difference in making a negative mood turn into a more positive mood. Think about what you do have like your family and friends, not what you don't have.
     Try to appreciate the simpler things in life and it may surprise you how much we all take those kinds of things for granted. Such as, a warm perfect tasting cup of coffee, a childs laughter, birds chirping or a colorful sunset. Living simpler makes for less stress, there is no worries about having to impress others. And it also helps with not spending money on unneeded items because you are able to appreciate the smaller things. With the economy the way it is I have gotten even more frugal than I was a year ago and I really don't miss spending a lot of money. I don't have buyers regret anymore:)
     Another thing to remember is that things will get better. I have been telling myself that for years but slowly they are getting better. There is a certain amount of creativity, motivation and common sense that you need to get through the hard times. There are numerous resources out there, you just have to be motivated and creative to find them.  
     We are all in this together and if our country can pull out of this without too much harm than we will all be stronger and able to deal with whatever problems occur in the future.