It's 2012...wow it's actually 1/4 of the way through right? So hard to believe...

Just got back from a short jaunt to Indiana to watch my little sister graduate was an awesome way to troubleshoot mommy burnout and focus on something other than my crazy, full life.  She's so amazing and has made such a turn around that I couldn't help but gloat.

But with a tiny break from ST, I had to come back...what an awesome outlet for me even if no one is here but me! So no long sorry as why I've been gone, but I've got a lot of ideas that I have to release...and that's what's coming!

My next project is 757 Made! and my level of excitement gets higher every day.  At its' core it will be a platform to promote and feature our community of creative creators here in Virginia, and wow can they create. If you haven't liked our Facebook page, please do...but only if you're a creator supporter. Because our creators need supporters..not spectators :)

Glad you're here, if you need something troubleshot, leave that in that comment space down there.

She Troubleshoots | The Sample Box Idea...again

The Sample Box | The idea!

C'mon admit it...you love those little samples you get at Sam's club and that aisle in Walmart where all the samples live dontcha??
I know I do...I love the concept of sampling and trying things out. It's the perfect means for trying and seeing if you like something and for being adventurous without breaking the bank.
I've been secretly admiring these sample bits and the idea of trying things...

You've seen those samples box services right? How flipping amazing is this idea?
For just pennies a day, you get to try samples of amazing products, trying new things every single month!? Really...who thought of this idea...it's brilliant! Because I'm so curious about business and how it can provide prosperity in this economy the idea of a sampler service has always appealed to me...

My idea was always with the pet community because animals rock...and there are thousands of small pet-focused businesses out there, looking and reaching out to the pet parent community. I still love the idea...even after trying it and failing...

I still think it's a fabulous idea and am still looking for ways to get pet parents on board with this, and pet businesses in too.

So tell me what's your favorite sample? Is it shampoos and conditioners, make up, lip gloss and balms...or maybe spa products...let's here 'em!

Raising Two Boys 1 of Which is Strong Willed

So the struggle lately is being a single parent household in a normally two parent household.  Quick background on my parenting abilities. I was sure that God would bless me and my husband with girls. I know girls...I'm a girl...it made perfect sense.

Then came Lil W, not a girl...ok it's all good. I'll learn on the job and this will be fun. I was a tomboy as a little girl so this will work. Then 27 months later comes Lil A, which I was for sure was a girl...you get one of each right? Wrong...another boy. Ok...I've done it once this will work.

Fast forward 3 years, I'm a single parent because the Navy is leasing my hubby till later this year, and I'm near mental breakdown most nights. I have a very strong willed-old soul child and another who is hyper-sensitive...Wow my hands are full, full, full.

What do you do when you don't know what is 'normal' for boy behavior? What do you do when it seems like they don't listen to a word you say?

Well I pray a lot, and I email my husband alot. I realize that my job as their mom is a very important one, and I don't take that lightly...often times I think I take it too heavily. But all in all, I feel blessed to be their mom and blessed to have an outlet to share what I live through and experience.

What about you, are you a busy mama of strong-willed kiddos? Care to share your experiences or 'it's funny now' moments...

I know I'd like to hear 'em

She Troubleshoots | What's Your Next DIY Project?

Whenever I set out to do a project I get so stoked! But because of my mile a minute brain tweeking on anything shiny, colorful with a WOw-factor...I get side-tracked and before you know it my project has now become a forgotten memory.

So here's my question? How do you stay on track and what's your next big DIY project?

She Troubleshoots | Uptown Craftin'

To my core I'm a creator of things. If I don't know how it works I've been known to dismantle things and then re-assemble them again. From radios, to watches, to engines...it's always kind of been my thing. But it isn't until now that I'm starting to see how it may come all together. But more of that later, for now I wanted to share with you this beautiful bracelet I made.


I think because my hubby is deployed and I miss him to bits that I'm on this golden love kick. Guess that whole absence makes the heart grow fonder bit is true :) Thanks for stopping by, tell me what you think!

She Troubleshoots | Finding your Schtick

Uugh I've gone through this question over and over and over...I've done so much in my life and enjoy so many various things that nailing down that 1 thing that will be my calling...or you know my Schtick. I keep thinking...I'VE GOT IT...I'VE GOT IT!

So I go whole hog and pour myself into it...sometimes things work out sometimes not. I'm not quite sure what to take away from all of the experience except to just write about them.

So this post will be short. I'm on some kind of mission...a mission where I can truly allow my husband to retire once he retires from the Navy in 2015...he deserves that. All those sacrifices he's made for the good of our country...I at least can give him a truly retired lifestyle.

So as I figure that out... tell me what's your Schtick?
How did you figure it out?
When did you figure it out?

And what are you doing now that follows your Schtick?  I'd love to hear...cause it may just give me that extra push...so...share! :)

She Troubleshoots | Trophy-ish Wifey

If you've been following any of my blogs you'll know that I'm on a mission to be a hottie patottie for when my hubby returns from his Navy deployment mission.  I'm happy to report that officially 11 elle b's(um those are pounds in case you're wondering) have left the building...Yay Rah!

It hasn't been easy by any means and I've had to seriously cut back on my junk eating...uuuuuh love my junk eating. But I've had to do it since it gives me the results I'm searching for...and that's kind of the bottom line right. Do what works right?

So this isn't by any means a be all end all, and I'm certainly not a trained fitness gal. But this is what I've troubleshot that works for me.

1) Water: I try to just drink it all day long. I don't have a magic ounces per day formula...just drink it as much as your body will take.
--> Tip:  I put Crystal Light in some of my water for flavor purposes

2) Don't Stop: I have a low tolerance for caffeine and I'm not a big fan of how coffee tastes, but frequently throughout the day I lose steam...(probably b/c I'm up late working on business stuff) but I need energy. I sip on 5 hour Engergies through out my day...one bottle tends to last me all day. When I have energy I tend to not eat as much.

3) Very light or not much lunch: This is purely a personal preference. I actually don't encourage this but I'm being honest as to what works for me. I normally eat a decent breakfast, around 200-350 cal. Then a very light lunch like string cheese, and nuts or apples. Then a regular dinner, but not a big serving.

4) Burn: At night occasionally I'll do some squats, lunges, or stairs. Plus for my daily activities I'm doing alot of walking. Plus I try to never park in the common parking spaces if I can help it. The doors on my Camaro are huge, and I don't trust people to have common sense when parking next to me. Plus it allows me extra walking time

So that's what's been working for me. It's not perfect but it works..for me. I'm looking to try to lose 11 more before hubby gets back.
If you have a weird regimen that works for you please share it with me.