My NEW Blog Design by Cutesy Couture Designs

While I was doing the Back to Blogging event with the SITS gals this wonderful blogger offered to other bloggers to redesign their blogs for such an incredible price I couldn't pass on it!  Plus the design on her website http://www.cutesycouturedesigns.com/ was just what I was looking for.  I emailed her and she got right back to me and I loved that! She asked what I like, colors, and really wanted my opinion on what I want my blog to look like and GUESS WHAT...she made it BETTER than I imagined! 

Thank you Kate for doing such a wonderful job and making my personal blog so ME!  Love it Love it! 

I highly recommend Kate for blog design!  Please check her out and lets support fellow mom bloggers!!

Going to be a Social Media Manager

Yes Mom I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up!  A Social Media Manager~this entails managing online social media profiles like facebook & twitter for businesses.  I've been training here and there for the last year but just recently took courses on How To Become a SM Manager. I love it and it fits in right now with what I am doing for others. 

One of my projects this week is to work on my husbands website- get it all cleaned up, install new plug-ins, get that social media up and running for him, and get more traffic coming to his site. 

Other project is my new website- pamallenonline.com.  I have it up and running now I just need to add content- start writing posts! 

This is wonderful because I have one site I need to do maintenance on and the other site I'm setting up so I'm working on 2 different kind of sites and that's what the course taught me how to do!  I'll keep you updated on the progress of both pages. 

99 Cents 6"x6" Photo Book Deal!

Another great offer from ArtsCow. Pretty much the same concept as the previous free memo pads and mousepad deals, all you need to do is share and shout this offer to your friends on Facebook. Once you have posted this promotion on your Facebook wall, you can use your activated coupon code to design a hardcover 6” x 6” for only $0.99*, no shipping fees required!


This 20-paged hardback version is completed with a sterling matte cover that allows you fully personalize from back to front. Moreover, you can choose from hundreds of designs using our pre-designed templates if you wish to seek inspiration and ideas.

They only allow 500 per day so if you don't get today try tomorrow!
Click here to get yours!

Sometimes don't you feel like......

SCREAMING NOOOOO! 

Don't get me wrong I will help out just about anyone but sometimes I need to say NO.  I'm not sure why it is but I can only say NO to my hubby and kids.  Just a darn shame, tell ya~!

Tonight on top of trying to get ready for Back to School Night, figure out what I'm going to say when I have to get up in front of the school (not nervous about that at all-lol), and dealing with my 2 bored kids who want to be at home riding their new bikes instead of being at the school past 6pm- I was approached to help a single mom out in need.  I was told it was a very rare occasion that this parent would need me but just in case...OMG don't believe the hype!  After talking to the parent in need- she needs a whole heck of a lot then the occasional pick up from school.  This mom needs to drop off child at 6:30am 2-3 a week, days that school is closed she needs a sitter, also every other weekend.  Really.... then after requesting what she needs then she let me know she can't pay me anything.  First of all- money was never mentioned but for all that she needs to offer something.  Weekends- that's a big no no and I did say I can't do that because I work-which I do on Sunday.  I possibly can handle the drop off but damn that's early for a kid that's not yours.  Mine don't even get up until 7am.  I will help this parent out because my heart says its the right thing to do but a part of me wants to slap myself upside my head!

Post It Note Tuesday

I'm not sure why I decided to this but I went to my new favorite blog One Brownie At A Time and she was doing this Post It Note Tuesday so for the FUN of it I did it too!

Monday's are ROUGH!

I enjoyed my cup of coffee and now its time to get moving and get things DONE.  Personally I would love to sit at the computer all day (not very healthy I know) but yes I have CLEANING to do- geez sometimes the life of mom sucks!  Only the cleaning part. 

Weekends are busy at the Allen's.  Usually on Saturday we have a b'day party or playdate to go to for each kid.  We try to clean house, and when I say "we" I do ask everyone but I usually get "Oh Mom its Saturday" attitude so I tend to do it myself.  Sunday's I go to an actually J.O.B.- I'm a waitress/manager at a cafe that I've been with for 11 yrs.  Sunday's are CHAOS and I'm the one in charge- pressure and more pressure.  I have a great crew so that helps but some days I just want to give it the big middle finger.  I come home to a messy house- love my hubby but cleaning is not his forte.  I should have caught that clue when I started dating him and he had old beer bottles under his bed.  But hey love is blind, right!  I do get dinner cooked for me though- so big woohoo for hubby on that.  However, when I get up on Monday I see Hurricane Allen has hit my house yet again. 

I guess I need to move my big booty off this comfy chair, blast some smooth RB, put on my gloves and conquer this MESS! 

Do you like Coffee?

I LOVE me some coffee.  Tell you the truth I can drink this stuff all day!  Yep all day and still fall asleep at 10pm.  It tastes so good.  Thank goodness my husband works at Peets Coffee as a machine operator and brings home coffee all the time!  Do you know how much money he saves me!!! 

My hubby didn't drink coffee until he started at his job 5 yrs ago and now he needs it EVERYDAY! 

I guess I needed to share this because I'm sitting her at the computer drinking the BEST cup of coffee.  I'm also in my PJ's, house is quiet-kids at school, and its Monday!  What a beautiful start.  It's going to be a blessed one for sure.

Back to Blogging Day 5: What Blogging Means to You

What blogging means to me~ going blank of course but it will come to me.  I just recently started being active on this blog because I do want to incorporate blogging into my life.  I feel its going to be an awesome way to express my feelings- good or bad.  My family is a trip sometimes so I love too write about all the goofy fun stuff my kids do.  I'm having a hard time posting some stuff but guess what I write it but it stays as a draft.  I had a diary in my teens and this is so much more fun. 

I have a journey that I'm traveling and this blog is helping me in so many ways.  I'm a pretty shy person but if I can write down my feelings than people will understand me more.  I have trouble talking in front of people because I'm always wondering what they are thinking- working on that!  If I can write down my feelings and people can relate or understand than its all good.  I love email- I'm a hate the phone kind of girl.  Phones-ugh!  I know a bit odd but its how I am! 

I'm going to be venturing on a new path soon and this blog is where I'm going document it.  My journey to becoming a Social Media Manager.  Looking forward to this and I'm real excited about future opportunities. 

Blogging is a lot work though.  It's not just writing it- well maybe for some but for others this is a way to communicate with others and that requires work.  I LOVE visiting other blogs and learning about them and their journeys.  I have became web friends with other bloggers and I hope to gain more relationships with my own journey.  Blogging is a creative expression outlet and I'm excited to be in the blogging world.

I give a BIG THANKS to Blogfrog and to my favorite community on there: The Secret to Success is Support Community for having these wonderful events and SUPPORT!

1st PTC (PTA) meeting TONIGHT

I'm nervous!  Why am I nervous well its been a rough road lately at the school and I'm just hoping that our work we have been doing is making a difference.  We are newly formed PTC (Parent Teacher Corp)group and some days I feel we are just winging it.  A lot of parents look at me for answers and I got to say that's scary because what if I'm not telling them correct information or directing them in the wrong direction or better yet looking totally LOST! 

We have a new principal this year and so far I haven't heard too many good things but its still early right!  She sure did clean up the school A LOT!  However, she isn't as open as the other principals (yes plural) but she is efficient and right now that is what our school needs.  We are a Charter School and we are up for our review this year so certain things need to happen in order for us to get renewed. 

Tonight we have agenda and I hope we STAY on track and move forward.  Moving forward is a phrase I have heard a lot this past couple months.

I want to reach out to parents and get them involved because it so worth it for themselves and for the kids.  My kids are so proud of their mom and guess what I'm proud of myself too.  I feel what I'm doing is worth something and if I look at that BIG picture I know this will help.  My confidence has gone way up and yes I do feel good talking too other parents.  Now do I like getting up in front of a whole classroom full of parents- OH HECK NO but I still do it!  Why- for my kids!!!

So wish me luck and that we have a good turn out for our very 1st meeting of the school year! 

~P

Who INSPIRES me- Day 4 Assignment Back2Blogging

Wow a deep question! Of course I'm going to say my mom.

My Mom~

What can I say but wow this woman has been thru some shit in her life.  I'm not going to go in detail but my mom is the STRONG woman she is because of what she has had to endure her 60 years.  Sorry mom- told your age but I think your pretty proud of it so no worries. 

My mom has been thru A LOT in her life and I applaud her for fighting the odds the best she could.  My mom is a fighter that is for sure, she doesn't back down.  So unlike myself- who runs for cover whenever issues arise.  My mom has had to deal with her identity- who she really is.  She wasn't told until her teens that her dad wasn't really her dad.   What a blow.  My mom has been abused by pretty much every man in her life- no matter what kind of abuse it was still ABUSE.  She has had to deal with 3 kids who all have gone through abuse in their lives.  She was not aware of some of the abuse until we were older.  She has had to overcome addictions in her life that almost ruined her but she is fighter and she never let it get to a point of destruction.  She is in constant pain every day and that dictates how her day will go-some days she is as young as her grandchildren and some days she can't function.  She has fought this too- by turning to aromatherapy and starting her own business making aromas.   

I could go on and on about my mom and what a special woman she is but that would be such a long post!  I do want to say THANKS MOM because I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for her.  She has inspired me to let go of a lot of anger and pain I've held on to for many years.  She is the one I call when I need advice, comfort or I just need to bitch. My mom ROCKS and its been a rough bumpy road but we made MOM-thanks!!!!

~Pam

Back2blogging event SPONSORS:   Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances,

Day 3- My Favorite Post Title

Wednesday, September 15: Re-upload a post with a title that you are particularly proud of and explain why.

This assignment was fun and very interesting.  Looking through some of my titles I giggled but then i also thought WTF was I "on" that day LOL!

I think my my favorite post title is: I'm a Trapped Fashion Diva

I was having a "Back In The Day" moment for real!  Yes, I used to get my nails done every week and hair styled every 2 weeks.  Buying clothes every week, shoes oh my, purses for every outfit- yes I lived the life for a bit.  But guess what, I would rather have all the hugs and kisses from my two lil ones than a new pair of nice shiny $100 shoes any day!  I even told someone today how I used to be very girly girl who wore high heels, makeup, nails airbrushed, and all the cool clothes a girl would love and you should have seen her face.  It took me back for a second, like do I really look that bad now.  I joked with her and she said "no you look like a mom should be" I of course laughed out loud and said thank you!  But in my head I was WTF does a mom look like then I came home and looked in the mirror and I had to agree.  I had a school sweatshirt on, jean capris, cute flip flops,  hair in a pony tail, and no make up.  However I know some really HOT moms and I so wish I dressed like that but I feel comfortable and feel good so that is all that counts right!!!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane SITS B2Blogging event!

Post:  http://pinkmamasplace.blogspot.com/2009/02/im-trapped-fashion-diva.html

Back2blogging event SPONSORS:   Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances,

Kid Clutter

We all have it and if you don't please let me know how you do it.  The kids are already coming home with papers everyday and now my desk in the kitchen looks like the paper monster pucked on it! 

Paper
Lil Man's is okay with me going through and throwing away what we don't need BUT Lil Mama oh my do I get in trouble if I try to throw anything away.  I get she is proud but I don't need 6 pieces of paper of the same thing- pick one! I gave each kid a big cereal box (the kind you get from Costco w/the double bags in it) and that's where everything goes in for 2010...guess what- both is almost full so something needs to be thrown away since we have a couple more months left. Both are coming home with art work but where do I put it.  I have some framed on the wall but Lil Mama wants to change it everyday and that's not going to happen.  I'm going to find a wall in her playroom to showcase her work-will look into some creative ways but if you know of something please let me know :)

Clothes
How do kids get so much clothes??? Oh yes all the hand me downs and all the "this is so cute" let me buy it moments that I have.  We have 2 kids we give hand me downs to and I swear I'm giving them clothes every month.  I guess I need to learn how to say no- if I don't need the handmedowns and stop shopping for the kids (hubby would love that).  Better idea- take myself shopping, what a concept !  Mama needs new shoes!

Toys
The other day going through Lil Mama's playroom I pulled 2 garbage bag full of little ponies, dolls, baby clothes, and misc stuff that lil mama actually let me give away.  The little girl we gave them too was in HEAVAN and that made both us feel so good.  Lil Mama might be inclined to give away more at later date and I soooooo would love that.  I go girl crazy every b'day/xmas and buy dolls, lil ponies, dress up and all those girly things I would have loved to have growing up but Lil Mama is not me.  Give her artwork, craft, and Lego's and she will be all good!  I think I might need shopping intervention but I'm working on it!

Now did we address the clutter issue...not really but hey I worked through some issues and I'm willing to move on LOL!

I did find a cool site that gives some great ideas: http://smead.com/hot-topics/getting-rid-of-clutter-1380.asp

Lets hear how you handle clutter...... :)

Love these Recycle Bins

I had to share this because it is SOOOO cute and easy to make!  Wheels are spinning- I can have hubby paint some for our house. We recycle but I notice not everyone in the house does- not sure who it is but its someone :).  But maybe if we have them labeled not just MOM/WIFE telling you which one than maybe we can make it work. 

Here is the website they cam from http://mitchellgeere.posterous.com/our-recycle-bins but I actually got the article from a Facebook Fan page: Planetpals-CHARACTERS

Day 2- Back2Blogging- My Hubby~Thank You!

ASSIGNMENT: Tuesday, September 14: Re-upload a post you wish more people had read and explain why it was important to you.

Old Post: 
My hubby~Thank You


Author: PinkMama
Posted at: Monday, December 28, 2009
Filed Under: hubby

Well sometimes as you can see from previous posts I just want to scream WTF is wrong with you but other times I just look at him like I did the first day I met him with those goo goo eyes! Yesterday, I came home from work and he had the house clean, laundry worked on, kids alive, and made a yummy dinner. He made sure I didn't have to do much and I was able to relax. What a man! I appreciate him and he doesn't know it but I brag a lot about what a wonderful husband I have to my customers. Last year at this time I wasn't quite sure if we would have made it but we did and have even grown as a couple. Looking forward to a wonderful year and more growth in our relationship. When I see him trying I want to try even more!
 
*****************************************************************************
New Post:
 
Why is this post so important to me, well.....because my husband is very important to me!  Simple huh!  My hubby is our ROCK.  He gets up at 3:30am every morning to go to a job he HATES then comes home and works more on his airbrushing business.  Okay maybe not everyday he does that but 3-4 days lately.  On weekends he has at least one event to paint at so he rarely gets a day off.  I do cringe when I see him playing video games on his spare time instead of working on stuff around the house or outside but I have to let that go because that is a fight I won't win!  I've learned over the years to pick my battles.  LOL!  Plus he cooks Sunday dinners- love that!!! 
 
As a wife I want to recognize that I have a wonderful husband and I would like to apologize on here if I bitch about him but this is how I can work through it.  Then he doesn't have to hear about it and I won't become that wife who is nagging all the time.  Okay I nag but in my own way- I make jokes! 
 
Respond if you have a WONDERFUL HUSBAND and let us know why!!!

I forgot to add that this Back2blogging event has SPONSORS:   Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances,

SITS Back to Blogging Challenge – My first ever blog post

ASSIGMENT: Monday, September 13: Re-upload the first post you ever wrote on your blog. If interested, re-write that post, showing us a before and after look at the piece.

HERE IS MY VERY FIRST POST:

Hello Everyone


Author: PinkMama
Posted at: Thursday, July 10, 2008
Filed Under: pinkmama

Hi~My name is Pam but I go by PinkMama on the web. I'm getting real close to the big 40 and there are some things I want to do with the direction of my life. So why not write a blog about it!

What I will be writing about:

* decorating my rental (not a homeowner but still need color/fashion)

* finding my STYLE~ in my house and in my clothing

* organizing my life'

* healthy habits I really need



I'm sure I'll be throwing more out at you (and myself) but this is a good start.
 
***********************************************************************
 
Wow its been 2 years since I started this blog!  I have kept to most of what my first blog says but I think I added a lot more about my family...not so much about me.  I've had some changes in my life since that post but its all good and looking forward to posting more about my life/family.
 
***********************************************************************
 
Rewrite:
 
Waving at everyone out there in blogosphere that is visiting and reading this post.  I'm Pam and still going by PinkMama so whatever you want to call me its all good! I'll be 42 (ouch) this year but hey I've accepted that every  year I get older so why fight it.  My kids love to tell others my age but I cringe when I have to!  I hope you continue to follow my journey- still unsure where I'm going but I do have more direction. 

What I will be writing about:

* Making my rental into a HOME- we have moved to a bigger and better placed.  Feel very blessed to be where we are now.  This HOME fits our family and we have been enjoying this house since Nov 2009.  I've been doing my thing in this house but still want to DECORATE- and still finding out what my style is BTW!

* So far my style is flip flops, jeans, and a cute t-shirt.  How mommy can I be???

* Organizing my life- a plan in progress for sure!  I make To Do lists but do I stay with it- not really.  I'm still working on this part of my life.  Looking for a workable journal/agenda/planner-so if you know of one please let me know:)

* Healthy Habits-  I've lost 25lbs in a year so I think this has happened.  I really watch what we eat but I'm not totally engrossed in it.  Just last night I had a chocolate doughnut.  I try harder with the kids though.  Still working on this but I think I will be for years.

PinkMama will be sharing about kids, hubby, work, my new business (social media), oh yeah being part of my kids school PTA (which we call PTC and I'm Vice Chair).  I do have about 100 different projects that I need to start, work on, and or finish and I'll be writing about those as well.

~Pink Mama (I need to find a cool signature btw)

If you want to be part of this SITS BACK TO BLOGGING EVENT: visit Back2Blogging

Also the event is sponsored by Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath and Florida Builder Appliances.

Routine...huh Whats That?

I'm a go with the flow kind of gal but with children can you really be that!  I'm finding it harder and harder to do.  I try to do a "to do list" but that lasts what... a couple days.  I accept the fact I need to be organized.  2010 I've been working on that but haven't quite get where I want but I have couple months still.  Geesh, I am a Sagittarius.

I need to do several days of the Problogger Challenge.  I need to read the ebook.  I see a lot "I need" in my sentence here....hmmmm!  Anyways I what I really need is someone to cook, clean, be a mom, be a wife than I can do what I want.  LOL!  Just kidden- I love my life! 

Today the kids are at home and its nice but the fighting/arguing has already started and its only 9am- breathe in breathe out :)

Starting tomorrow I would like to have some kind of routine/schedule set but don't hold your breath, lol!

Day 3 on the Blogger Challenge is Promoting a Blog Post.

 WOW....where do I promote my blog posts.  I have it already going to twitter automatically and on FB I do have them sent to my blog page.  I don't want EVERYONE reading my blog posts on FB because I sometimes write about them (mainly my hubby) so if they look on their own that's fine but I don't want to blast to my family how pissed off I am at hubby or the kids. 

I'll go thru my posts and promote today on FB! I should write up a post about SALES for Labor Day weekend- I see several deals out there that I could share.  Woohoo I love it when ideas hit me upside my head. 

Last month when I did this I did it wrong- can you believe that (LOL)!  I promoted someone else's blog post not my own.  What a dork I can be sometimes! 

Crazy Week!

It's almost done right!  I thought this week was going to be easy breezy- and whoever put that in my head LIED!  Might have been me though :( 

I tend to overextend myself a bit and then of course get all stressed out about it.  I need a sign that says CHILL!  This was the kids first week at school and I thought I was going to have soooooo much time to do this and do that.  Wrong! Wrong!  Lets just say I was busy from 6am to 8pm. Couple mornings got up w/hubby at 4am.  Just like every other mom out there :)  BUSY!

I still haven't touched laundry which I should be doing instead of sitting on here telling you I need to do laundry, but hey that's how I roll.

Today's To Do List:

1. Laundry
2. clean living room carpet
3. kitchen-daily clean
4. bedroom-daily clean
5. bathroom-wipe down
6. sew 2 banners in morning
7. sew 2 banners when hubby comes home with more material
8. answer emails
9. do the 30Day blog challenge-day 3
10. answer soccer banner emails
11. work in PTC database-school stuff
12. work on my online job- about 1hr of customer service 30 minutes of apps

most of this needs to be done by 1pm when I get the 9 month old baby, watch him to 3pm then go pick up my kids, drop off baby to teacher then walk home- listening to WHY DO WE HAVE TO WALK HOME all the way home. By the time we are home (a 10 minute walk) of course wished I drove but I'm trying to be healthier by getting some exercise in.  I know kids rough life just rough!

So I guess I need to go do some house work for an 1hr then computer for an hour and so on and so on!