I started with this:

And ended up with this:

The goal was to give it MORE life.  The original photo looked so pale compared to what I saw that day.

I made a terrible mistake.  I’ve been mindlessly paying our cellphone bills and not checking EVERY SINGLE ITEM on the bill.  I just see the total and pay it.  LIKE A TOTAL MORON.  Finally this week, DH asks what our cellphone bill was.  I nonchalantly say, “$xxx”.  And he’s all, “WTF???”  So we review all the bills.  And here’s how I win the prize for idiot of the year.  In the section called, Mobile Purchases, there is an item listed for $14.99.  Its a subscription.  That’s been on the bill SINCE APRIL.  I told you.  Idiot of the year.

The next day, I’m on the phone with AT&T.  I told them that I have never signed up for anything, I do not want it.  Make it go away.  Give me my money back.  Customer Service Girl says that as a courtesy, they can credit me for one month.  If I want to see more money back, I can log in online and fill out a form and they’ll review it and process it and all that lovely stuff.

Not good enough.

So I call again and I speak to Christina Webb.  I explain to her what happened and I told her that this was a mistake, fraud, bogus charge.  I was an idiot for not noticing it sooner, but if they review my account, they will see that I have never used this service for anything EVER, EVER, EVER.  She puts me on hold forever.  Randomly speaking every 5 minutes or so to apologize for the hold and that she’s still going over my account with her supervisor.  After a long wait, she tells me that I will receive FULL CREDIT.  They reviewed my account and realizes that this was obviously fraud.  She even said, “You rarely even use your phone to make calls.”  THANK YOU!  Oh My LORD!  A customer service rep who bothers to think!!!  After that, I had every service blocked from my phone.  No mobile purchases, no data access, no text messaging.  That’s right people.  I turned my LG Shine into the Jitterbug!

My experience with these service companies have never been good.  I’m always getting scammed for one thing or another.  I always have to fight to get a credit or refund.  I’ve had to report companies to the BBB and to the state.  But this time AT&T did good!

You can use the same password to see this week’s progress pic. 

I can give you the password, but you’ll have to email me.  :)  abilamay AT gmail

Our landlord’s son used to live in this house.  They really took care of the yard and the flower beds.  We have roses, lots of trees, some lavender, a hydrangea and these:

I think they’re peonies, but I’m not 100% sure.  This is from ONE STEM.  The flowers (yes, there’s more left on the plant) are so big and heavy, that they’re just drooping on the ground.  They are just absolutely beautiful!

I promised a picture of the Kokeshi Doll I bought last Saturday, and here she is.

She is currently living on the book case, guarding the Harry Potter books.  She looks lonely and a bit out of place there, I think.  She’s gonna need some friends to keep her company. 

Speaking of friends… Last night, while browsing through the HDF Forums, I came across this site.  How cute are these????  I definitely must stitch all 12.  I’m gonna need to pick a fabric that I can use for all of them.  The question is do I stitch all in one big piece of fabric or do them individually?  Decisions, decisions.

The blog calls them Kimmi Dolls.  Google says its a brand of Kokeshi dolls.  There is even a Kimmidoll named Ayame.  MUST BUY!

I’m playing WoW again!  I took a long break from it… maybe 4 months?  But its so nice to play again.

I’ve been lucky that most of the products we’ve purchased or received as gifts for the babies worked great.  For the ones that we bought, reviews were extremely helpful.  So this is my way of giving back. 

The products are listed in no particular order.

1.  Graco Playard - This is an okay product.  It serves it purpose.  There is enough space for a baby to crawl around in it plus the bugs on the sides keeps babies entertained.  It is easy to set up and comes with a bag so its easy to pack and take it with you anywhere.  The bad this about this product is the cushion/mattress is NOT WASHABLE.  The cover is just polyester and that’s it!  So the only thing protecting the foam from spilled water, milk or juice is a thin piece of polyester.  NOT GOOD.   Graco also makes fitted sheets but I don’t think they make one for the square playards.  Either way, a thin piece of cotton will not protect the foam either.  If the mattress had a vinyl cover like a crib mattress, or a removable and washable cover, then I would recommend this product.  But since it doesn’t I say pass on this and get product #2 instead.

2. Super Yard XT - It is super roomy.  The panels adjust.  It works as a playard or as a super long gate.  See action shots here and here.  The best thing about it?  If it gets dirty, take it outside and hose it down!  Love it!

3. Nuby Sippy Cups and Sippy Cups with Handles and Wagi Sippy Cups - Ayame did not want to have anything to do with all the other sippy cups I got her, but she liked these.  These are the perfect transition sippy cups.  The spouts are soft and are easier for babies to handle.  The only issue with them is that the spouts are soft.  LOL.  Soft means they will break.  Ayame figured out how to poke her finger through the spouts.  Broken spout means they are no longer spill proof.  Nuby sells replacement spouts.  Wagi does not.  For for $3 for 2 cups, just buy a new cup!

4. Munchkin Soap Dispensing Bottle Brush - When my Avent Bottle Brush needed to be thrown out, I couldn’t find a suitable replacement for it.  None of the stores near me sold the Avent brush so I got this and something that looked like this.  Both products were awful.  They just couldn’t clean the bottles.  But the Munchkin SDBB works great!  The bristles really get everywhere and the bottles and sippy cups are clean, clean, clean!  Although I still need to use a separate nipple brush, I still love this product.  The best part about it?  There is a suction cup!  The brush stands up.  No more laying a wet brush on the counter or sink.

5. SwaddleMe Infant Wrap - Swaddling was a challenge for me.  Getting un-swaddled was a breeze for the babies.  Thank god we got this product.  If you have a baby, go and buy this product right now!  It is so easy to use.  Just tuck the baby in and VELCRO away!  No more un-swaddling in the middle of the night!  Babies stay warm and the fabric is so soft!

6. Sleep Sack - When baby gets too big for the SwaddleMe, move on to this product.  They can kick and flail as much as they like, but still remain warm and cozy!

7. Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier - I originally did not want to buy this product.  Why spend freaking $80 when there is a similar one for $30?  Trust me.  Spend the freaking $80.  This is the best baby carrier out there.  I tried the other ones at the store and I even got a different brand as a present.  The Bjorn is just a better product.  There are no hard plastics that will scratch baby’s skin.  The straps are wide and comfy.  Everything is easily adjustable plus it is not complicated to use. Just one tug here or one tug there and you and your baby are both comfy.  Best thing about it?  ITS WASHABLE.

8. Boppy - Another product I originally didn’t want to get.  I really didn’t think it would make a difference, but it does!  It helps make breast feeding more comfy and baby can use it for tummy time and when he’s ready to try sitting, you can prop him up on it!  Best thing about it?  So many designs to choose from and ITS WASHABLE!

9. A + D Diaper Cream - I tried Desitin, Palmer’s and Burt’s Bees.  They didn’t work.  This product works great.  If the diaper rash is really bad though, try product #10.

10. Lansinoh - This is a life saver.  I had issues when I started breastfeeding.  The boobies decided to go crazy on me.  This product helped me heal faster.  It makes the skin softer and no need to wash it off before baby feeds.  Another use for this product?  It heals the most awful diaper rash JUST LIKE THAT.

11.  Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Massage Cream for Stretchmarks - My stretchmarks ITCHED LIKE CRAZY.  My belly was red from being stretched to its limits.  This product worked wonders.  It is really thick, but not overly greasy, plus it smells great.  It was really soothing on the skin.  I didn’t start using it until well after I got my stretchmarks so I have no idea if it actually works in preventing you from getting them in the first place.

12.  Medela Pump In Style - I have no other pump to compare this too since it is the only one I’ve ever used.  However, based on conversations with a few friends who purchased other brands, I think you get what you pay for.  I can pump hands free with this and no chafing!  I don’t know about you, but chafed boobies doesn’t sound good at all.

That’s all for today kiddies.  See you next time!

I go through phases with my TV-watching.  Lately, I’ve been watching movies (when there is a good one on) and a couple of British shows.

Let’s start with movies:

Knocked Up - I was not expecting much from this one.  It stars Izzy from Grey’s Anatomy and I figured it was just the basic chick flick.  Yes, it is a chick flick but I really, really enjoyed it!  I even watched it 2 days in a row.   Maybe being pregnant was a factor in enjoying this movie a lot, but then even T found some bits really funny.

Clerks - I’ve seen it 500 times.  I never get tired of it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End - So boring!  They really just pushed to make a third movie but didn’t put as much effort into this one.  We saw this when it was out in the theaters, but I’ve never just sit still and watched the whole thing on TV.

The Prestige - I love this movie!  It was very entertaining from beginning to end.  Having eye candy (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale) didn’t hurt either.  They even have eye candy for boys (Scarlett Johansen).  Its about 2 rival Victorian-era magicians and the things they went through to be the best.

I know I’ve seen more than 4 movies recently, but I can’t remember anything else right now.  So let’s move on to regular TV:

Top Gear - I *heart* this show.  Its on BBC and if you haven’t seen it, watch it NOW.  I don’t even love cars, but I love this show.  Its more than your average car show.  They make it so interesting and entertaining.  The hosts are people I’ve never heard of before (Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond - who I fondly refer to as Frodo).  The hosts personalities really add something to the show.  My favorite part is when they invite celebrities to drive around the race track.  The first one I saw was James Blunt I think.  Then their names (with times) are placed on a board, and the celebs basically try to be the fastest of the bunch.  If you have time, you have got to watch Gordon Ramsay’s lap on You Tube and then after that, find Jamie Oliver’s lap. 

Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares - also on the BBC, this show features Gordon Ramsay helping revamp British restaurants.  I love how brutal he gets with the owners and staff and I always find myself rooting for them and hoping that they can turn things around.  Have you noticed that he takes his shirt of in almost every episode?

Hell’s Kitchen - I avoided watching this show for the longest time, thinking that it was yet another Chef show.  It’s not.  I definitely find this more entertaining than Top Chef.  The punishments are brutal (go through garbage and sort out recycling, anyone?) and the rewards are amazing (I would love to spend a day at a spa).  I’m not sure who to root for this season since I’ve only seen a couple of episodes.  I hope its not sweaty guy though, because he’s just gross.

House - oh my beloved Robert Sean Leonard.  I have to admit that I haven’t been following this show as much as I used to.  I always forget when it’s on, so there is a lot of catching up to do.  I’m happy that they brought back Cut Throat Bitch.  Very surprised at how it was done and I’m looking forward to see how it turns out.

Gray’s Anatomy - I used to watch GA and Desperate Housewives religiously when it was on Sunday nights.  Then DH just got really boring and stupid.  The season ender was VERY SURPRISING.  I did not expect that whole thing with Callie.  Although the Meredith thing was predictable.  I liked it, but it was predictable.

Jon and Kate Plus 8 - I don’t know how this couple can raise two 7-year olds and six 3-year olds and not go completely insane.  I find it reassuring to watch them though.  If they can leave their house and do things while towing around 8 kids, then I can do it with 2. 

What have you been watching?