MOVING and PURGING, PURGING and MOVING

Did you ever notice that when you are moving from one place to another that is always the time when you want to go through everything and throw it all away??
That's where I am now.
And I have purged a TON of stuff.
But still it doesn't feel like enough.
WE. HAVE. A LOT. OF. STUFF.

While Jet Pilot is at work I am going to purge more, and more-- until he tells me to stop.  Cuz I feel like we don't need it.

Is that weird?

Fist Pump

We taught our 3 year old son to fist pump...like the guys on Jersey Shore. 
No our kids do not watch Jersey Shore, I do. 

Its the funniest thing ever.

No its actually FRIGGIN Hilarious.  And we caught it on video. 

Yes I am that good of a mom, my mother of the year certificate is in the mail.  But its funny.
And I think one day my son will look back on those videos and crack up.
Because I am cracking up now- A LOT!

Just thought I would share with you.

Stepping up my game...

In an effort to look more polished, business like and grown up (I know a grown up?? Lol) I reached out to all you wonderful readers and bloggers for some blog button help.  While I loved my old button I really wanted something with the name of my blog on it.  The great response I got back was awesome and I enlisted the help of a very cool chick!!
Christen over at Scentsy Wickless Candles came through for me in a huge way!!  She designed this snazzy little button for me!!

She is totally awesome right?  I love it!! I really do!!   Christen is a Scentsy representative and the two of us are planning a pretty awesome giveaway for all 'The Dill-io" readers coming up soon!! Sooo stay tuned!!   

If you can't wait and need some Scentsy in life right now you can check out her site here!!

THANKS CHRISTEN!!

Help....please??

Ok so I need to make a button for this blog...I love what I have but I think from a business perspective I should have the ACTUAL name of my blog on there.  (Please do not infer from that sentence that I am making vast amounts of $$ on this blog...cuz I am not...but maybe one day right?? Gotta be prepared for any situation!)

I have read about 200 tutorials on how to make one, got quotes from different sites to have a professional make one, and tried messing it with it on my own.
To no avail.
Everything I have tried looks WAAY wrong, corny, and lame or just not my style.  I like the buttons other bloggers have with the little avatar faces but that's just not me.  I am more understated and I have a big face...lol...so in all fairness and keepin it real if I were to do an avatar of my face it would be a big light brown circle with 2 eyes...and no room for any other features...those lil buttons are small..lol. 

If any other mom bloggers out there has a great resource or tutorial (paid or otherwise....I would like to go the free route but I understand people gotta make dollah bills so if you know someone who is a button maker extraordinaire then pls msg me-email is under the PR friendly tab or leave a site reference in the comments!!)

Thanks in advance for all your help!! Have a great weekend!!

Late Night Musings

As I sit here on this laptop late after the kids and husband have gone to bed I have these mom musings going through my head...and while they are mostly funny in nature...they also seem to be the most puzzling...lol.  I am going to blanket statement this whole post and say that it is a smidge blog flimflam but better to get it out and off my chest right?  Here it goes..

• why is it my son who has a plethora of toys/activities/books to keep him occupied is the most interested in jumping off the night stands in my room yelling "WEEEEEE, WEEEE.."

• my daughter who can recall any song she hears the first time never remembers when I ask her to take off her shoes in the house and put them in her room...

• or just when Jet Pilot and I think we have a "plan" (and I use that word EVER so lightly, because when it comes to the military you can never REALLY plan) for our lives over the next few months which will eventually lead to the next few years he comes home all starry eyed over the prospect of things changing....

• or how is it that our "little" dog (who is bigger than our "big" dog) can be soo incredibly bad but one look at that cute, scrunchy, furrowed brow and your heart just melts...(That dog causes us soo much grief...he is a troublemaker...but he is soo DARN cute)

• and most importantly how is it that I can be surrounded by all this chaos, silliness, moving plans, furry paws and feel like there is no where else in the whole world I would rather be...

10 years ago if you were to ask me where I thought my life was headed the answer I would have given would not have been close to encompassing the fulfilling enriching life I am now leading (isn't being young and dumb grand..or not..lol), and that's the best part. 
Because change IS the only constant. 
Adapting and excelling to new situations are what make me a swimmer and not a sinker-and I like that.  So if that means sporadic Olympic quality night stand jumps or sparkly pink converse near my front door...then I'll take it, because these are blessings, and I have to remind myself that...more often than I care to admit. 

Its always those late night mama musings that end becoming blog posts...now why is that... ;P

LOVE AND LIGHT!!

MEGA Swagbucks Friday!!

Today is MEGA Swagbucks Friday--know what that means??  
 

From the SWAGBUCKS site: 
"Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day (MSBD), which means better odds of winning our BIG Swag Bucks denominations! Simply search naturally, and with a little luck, you'll be winning large bills starting at 20 Swag Bucks and up.

While this is NOT a guarantee that you'll win high value Swag Bucks, we invite you to visit our twitter page (http://twitter.com/swagbucks) on every Mega SwagBucks Day to hear from Swaggernauts like you who are winning big.

If you're a winner, consider tweeting a picture of your congratulations screen and including @swagbucks in your tweet. If TSG sees your tweet, he'll retweet it!"

What is Swagbucks you ask??

From the Swagbucks site:  "Swagbucks.com is the web's premier rewards site. Swagbucks.com allows web users to earn virtual currency by doing the things they do every day - search the web, shopping at their favorite retailers, and by engaging in other activities such as phone recycling, submitting polls, and completing special offers. Swagbucks.com is the only place on the web to get what you want without ever having to spend a dime."


You redeem your FREE digital currency for actual FREE stuff.  
All kinds of stuff!!  
If you have not signed up yet, then what are you waiting for...I have earned over $120 in Amazon Gift Cards since signing up a year ago!! Its a great legit program!! Sign up here!!
 
(FYI, yes that is my referral link...duh... ;P)

So some that know me in real life know that I am kinda, sorta crunchy...I always want to be more crunchy but I get bogged down with other things and being green and reducing my carbon footprint just kinda sort fall to the back burner.
But I discovered this very cool program today--its called "My blog is carbon neutral".

“My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it Green” programme, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. From the Site:

How much carbon dioxide does your blog create?

According to a study by Alexander Wissner-Gross, PhD, physicist at Harvard University and environmental activist, an average website causes about 0.02g (0,0008oz.) of carbon dioxide for each visit. Assuming an average blog gets 15,000 visits a month, it has yearly carbon dioxide emissions of 3,6kg (8lb.). This can mainly be tracked back to the immense energy usage from (mainframe) computers, servers, and their cooling systems.

How much carbon dioxide does a tree absorb?

Unfortunately, no precise answer is possible. The carbon dioxide absorption of a tree can differ a lot. The amount of carbon dioxide that a tree can absorb depends on the type of tree, light exposure, length of the vegetation period, latitude, water balance, and the soil conditions.

The assumed values vary between 10 and 30kg (20 and 70lb.) for a tree each year. It is certain however, that in its first two to three years a tree absorbs relatively little carbon dioxide. In the growth phase following this, the absorption rate increases rapidly. During this time, the tree safes a considerable amount of carbon dioxide. The absorption rate decrease again from the age of 18.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) assumes a yearly absorption of one tree of approximately 10kg (20lb.) carbon dioxide emissions. “Make it green”, the environmental programme of kaufDA, is using a yearly absorption value of 5kg (11lb.) for its “My blog is carbon neutral” initiative. This is a very conservative calculation, ensuring that the neutralisation of each blog is achieved.

One tree neutralizes the carbon dioxide emissions of your blog

As demonstrated in the above calculation, the atmosphere can be relieved by an average of 5kg (11lb.) carbon dioxide every year by planting one tree. An average blog causes 3.6kg (8lb.) of carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, a tree neutralizes the carbon dioxide emissions of a blog. Since a tree lives for an average of 50 years, carbon dioxide emissions of your blog can be completely neutralised for this time period.

Summary:
You write a blog post about their program, email them the link and they plant a tree for your blog and to thereby neutralize your blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years!
Awesome right?? So what are you waiting for start blogging now....reduce your blog's carbon!!

Bonnie's Hair

I gave Bonnie a hair cut today. She said her hair was too hot and the ends were a little scraggly so I told her to get in the shower and we would trim it after she got out with clean hair.

And true to my word I trimmed it. Trimmed it to much if you ask Jet Pilot, but I cut about 4 inches off.
Her hair seems short now.
Really Short.

It's still out of this world beautiful and wonderfully curly, but its short- like the same length it was when she was 2 years old.

Short.

I am definitely one of those parents that does not believe in cutting their daughter's hair. EVER.

I didn't think I was one of the parents.

Sure I am conservative with my Bonnie, its important she carries herself like a little lady and dress with a certain level of modesty. But I considered myself a bit more liberal when it came to her hair.
My own mom was pretty liberal with letting me do what I wanted with my hair--well suffice to say I AM NOT A LIBERAL with the hair and the cutting as it pertains to my daughter.

I don't think we will be cutting it that much for awhile (or EVER).

Just tiny tiny hair trims from here on out.
I am going to pray tonight that her hair grows back fast. **sigh**

Lesson learned.

Kellogg's Cereal Recall

Kelloggs issued a voluntary recall of Corn Pops, Honey Smacks, Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks because they do not meet quality standards. “We have identified a substance in the package liners that can produce an uncharacteristic waxy-like off taste and smell.”


Their Press Release has more details.... the dates you need to look for are:

Kellogg’s® Apple Jacks®

UPC 3800039136
17 ounce package with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 10 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039132 3
8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between JUN 03 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s® Corn Pops®
UPC 3800039109
12.5 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039111
17.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039116
9.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 05 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s® Froot Loops®
UPC 3800039118
12.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039120
17 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

UPC 3800039125
8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

Kellogg’s®Honey Smacks®
UPC 3800039103
15.3 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011

If you have any packages of these cereal, you should stop using them and immediately call them at 888-801-4163 888-801-4163 for replacement coupons.

Thanks for the original post Cindi!!

WeUseCoupons.com and Me (and You too!)

I just discovered this coupon forum and can I just say-- it is totally awesome!! They have all the store deals on there (Kroger, Wags, CVS, Winn Dixie, Food Lion..you name its on there!!), and they have awesome threads explaining how coupons work, how they can work for you, and all other kinds of awesome deal stuff!! Its very useful for explaining the ins and outs of coupons/deals to the newbies and it even has some tips on helping the more advanced coupon-er like myself!!!

Check it out--and if you have a blog and sign up to become an affiliate, you get $3 sign up bonus and $10 for each friend you refer!!!
HOW COOL IS THAT!!!
If you do sign up please please please put Lacy Dill as the person who referred you!! Seriously-go HERE now, poke around, or click on the green or yellow buttons on the left hand side of this blog!!

Q90X Day 2

Today on my Q90X quest I emailed these 3 companies. And FYI Jet Pilot and I were talking about companies to contact and I still am not able to come up with 90 companies I want to contact. Its hard!! There are so many companies but yet some things I do not want to have in the house (even if they are free) and ditto for Jet Pilot. He is getting more crunchy as each day passes he is just in denial about it!!

Today's companies are:

• Claussen Pickles

• Vlasic Pickles

• Crisco Olive Oil

Soooooo, who'd you contact today??

Q90X, yes I mean Q not P

Ok so this blog post is kind of random but oh well,-anyways as I sit here in my living room willing myself to get up and do something constructive with my evening I just has an epiphany- I am going to make a more concerted effort to write companies to see if I can get any coupons from them. I started doing this a little bit when we lived in Milton, Fl but I slacked off as soon as we moved here to Mississippi..no reason I just slacked. But I am going to start up again.

I am starting a company writing coupon campaign.

For the next 30 days I am going to write 3 companies a day.

I am going to call it Q90X.

Q as in Q-pon,

90 as in 90 companies contacted when its all said and done, and

X as in it sounds cool, "X" (practice saying it in a deep serious voice..lol)

(Thanks Tony for the ingenuity of the name..=P).

Soooooo DAY 1:

Today I wrote:

Scrubbing Bubbles

Annie's Organics

Nature's Own

I will keep ya'll (yes, I just typed Ya'll- I DO live in Mississippi after all...it was kind of inevitable..) updated as far as what type of feedback I get from the companies I have contacted. Here's hoping I get some great responses!! C'mon ladies (and gents I guess??) join me on my Q90X quest!! Write those companies-any companies!! Lets save $$$ together!!!

So you say its your birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to Cindi!!

We love you and wish you the happiest day!!

Holey Moley!! I won Swagbucks on my own BLOG!!!

HOLY COW!! Alright so in total honesty I do this from time to time, I swag my own blog in hopes it will eventually come up as a result and make me feel like I am a proud owner of a cool little piece of the World Wide Web. And always I am met with no success. I never get anything.

HOWEVER.....today was different.

My little baby blog came up as a result from Swagbucks.

AND I WON SWAGBUCKS FOR SEARCHING FOR IT!!!!!

Is that not the coolest thing ever?? (I know, I know I am lame...but its little things like this that are exciting to me!)

Betta watch out in-ta-net, Mama Dill is coming up in this piece!!!

PEACE OUT!

Jet Pilot's Job and How Much I love it

In the spirit of being the patriotic and supportive military wife to a Jet Pilot there are certain things I feel I should do. And one of them is to try to volunteer at some of his command functions. It makes me feel like I am being helpful, and getting his name out there. I have made chili for lunch cookouts, offered my stockpile as a gift basket for Command Parties and today I volunteered to work the VT-7 Strike Eagles Officer Spouses Club T-shirt booth at the Key Field Airshow.

The Mission: Sell VT-7 Strike Eagles Tee Shirts for Men, Ladies and Kids, and some random military knick knacks

What I did: Sweat, swelter and try to peddle these shirts off onto the unsuspecting public here in the sprawling metropolis of Meridian, MS. It was hot, humid and totally not enough shade to go around. But that's ok. I enjoyed myself and made the best of it, plus Jet Pilot and kids were there- and he wasn't supposed to be. He was supposed to be in Pensacola for a Jet Pilot Gala thing. So it was family fun for all.

But my thoughts and words drift from their original purpose of this post. I love my husband's dream.

To be a Jet Pilot.

To fly like a scary crazy maniac in the sky doing maneuvers and tricks I wouldn't dream about actually wanting to do because they are FUN.

We are pretty patriotic in this house and we love America and more importantly we appreciate the sacrifice that Jet Pilot makes for us each day to make sure we all stay safe. And sometimes his job necessitates that he is away from us for long periods of time, the family that loves and needs him everyday. But that's okay. We met and grew up in this military lifestyle and are raising our family in it. And we love it.

But I think it was just today as I was watching a variant of Jet Pilot's dream plane (F/A-18C is the dream plane, F/A-18F is what we saw today at the airshow) fly by doing seriously sick aerobatics and climbing to fearful heights that I realized it in my core-His dream IS MY dream.

I want him to fly those planes.

And I love Jet Noise. The sound of it brings tears to my eyes and makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Is that weird?? I don't think so.

I want him to be that guy. I am proud of Jet Pilot for working hard daily towards becoming that guy.

And I give thanks everyday to Our Most High for blessing us with this wonderful life. May His blessings continue to shower upon us and guide us to be the best Pickle family that we can be.

Happy Saturday and enjoy the random post!

Independence

I need to talk about this...I have been thinking about it alot lately. Jet Pilot and I met young, fell in love and got married all well before we turned 21. And its an amazing, wonderful, enriching and God led life we are striving to lead.

But lets be honest. Sometimes we get lonely. We have been on our own and away from home for a long time now.

When we brought our new babies home from the hospital, they came home to little fanfare, no family, no streamers, no "Oh we just brought this by for dinner to help you guys out" stuff. And I am proud of that, it makes me feel confident in my mothering, household, wife duties all more knowing that WE did it. Just the 2 of us. We do get the obligatory congrats and praises for all the wonderful things we have accomplished in our lives but they are all second hand telephone calls, emails, text messages, and msgs on Facebook (I know electronic social networking, its going to be the death of us all), you get the idea.

And in light of my sister's new career I think about all this. I hope she doesn't feel too alone at times. Its a lonely road we are on sometimes and no one know your strife unless they walk that same road with you. In the past few months I have awoken from my "Christian coma" and I have learned to lean on the Lord and less on myself because it is only with His hand and love in my life that I will be the grace filled, patient, loving helpmate He knows that I can be.

I pray for my sister, her path is just being laid out before her and while it is a wonderful, amazing and positively life changing experience I hope she leans on the Lord so much more than I did over those tumultuous 4 years. And as her old sister I worry about her, I know she's 20 but in my head she is still that fluffy haired, little 5 year old I remember always bugging me.

Families are great, Military life is second to none and independence is a thing to be cherished. But it is only with God's help are all things possible!!!

$10 Down

Just redeemed a portion of my Swagbucks for 2 more $5 Amazon.com Gift Cards, this brings my total up to $25!!! I technically have $10 more I just have not redeemed all my Swagbucks. So $35 in all....I am still saving for my Wii Fit Plus. I feel like its going to take me donkey years to get to $100...oh well...I used a portion of my Gift Cards to get my Bible Study book too. Better to get it free with Swagbucks than to come out of pocket on it!!! I know eventually I will get there...just gotta stay motivated. Patience...just need patience