Misty-isms

DJ KidMau5

2011-11-19T08:07:00.000-06:00

Happy Haiti

2011-11-18T12:27:00.001-06:00

Tonight, Kyle and I will be double-dating in celebration of our 6th wedding anniversary. Mom got us tickets to a Jazz for Peace benefit for the organization, Happy Haiti. This organization is raising money for many projects to help out Haiti. Here's what they plan on doing (straight from their website):

"As native Haitians themselves, the Kreative Images Foundation aided with the development of the Czichomski’s nonprofit (Happy Haiti Foundation).
Even before the recent earthquake disaster the Czichomski’s had donated multiple acres of land to address the poverty in Haiti (land located in Morne Tranchant, between Kenscoff and Furcy, valued at $800,000.) Now after the earthquake catastrophe, Happy Haiti’s services are needed even more.
In addition to building dome housing to replace the multitude of inhabited shacks, the Foundation is on target to build a trade school campus, which will create local jobs and provide needed employment training, thereby impacting the local economy. The training facility would also teach English, French, Spanish, Arts & Crafts, Woodwork and other trades.
Additionally the foundation’s long-term goals are to build roads, install sewage systems, water wells and latrines."

I would like to encourage anyone who would like to help out to visit their website and donate. This is a worthy cause, and it is sure to change and impact many lives. http://happyhaiti.org/

Going To See Radiohead In Houston!

2011-11-10T13:31:00.001-06:00

Two nights ago, I stayed up half the night to get a ticket from the presale to see Radiohead in Houston on March 3rd. After numerous computer problems, the tickets went on sale and I got one in the pit! I am so excited! The rest of the tickets go on sale Saturday, November 12th at 10 a.m. If you are interested, then be at your computer at that time. They WILL sell out. Anyway, I am stoked for my 7th Radiohead show!

The Greatest Jazz Song EVER!

2011-10-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

This has GOT to be the greatest jazz song ever. Like seriously.

For the results of my hair dye...

2011-09-30T21:55:00.001-05:00

CLICK HERE to see the results of my home hair dye.
--Misty

Little Things About Me

2011-09-28T12:43:00.000-05:00

Here's some stuff to know about me for readers who are unfamiliar with me.

- Most people already know that my favorite band is Radiohead, but if you didn't now you do.

- I was in my high school show choir (from '94-'96'.) However, I do not and have never watched "Glee."

- I studied Film at UNO, but moved before I graduated. I am finishing my degree slowly at UL Lafayette taking 1-2 classes each semester. UL doesn't offer a Film degree, so I am finishing in General Studies. Anyway, I still enjoy the medium of film very much. In fact, the other day, I was doing my own research about a filmmaker just for my own entertainment.

- I quit facebook over the summer, but occasionally I visit the site through Kyle's page. I do not regret my decision about it, though. In fact, almost every time I visit through Kyle's page, I am reminded of why I quit. The main reason is that you have a lot less control over what you view through facebook. Many of the posts didn't impact my life in a positive way. Blogging has turned into my answer to that, because I can express myself more freely, and I have more power to choose which blogs I am reading.

- I have not watched or read "Twilight" or "Harry Potter." I have been exposed to some "Harry Potter" through friends' houses, but haven't paid much attention to it. I feel that I am not really a part of that generation, and I have no interest in it.

- My very first favorite movie was "The Princess Bride," and that movie is still one of my top faves today. It's awesome.

- I love dragons. I used to collect them. I would still do that, but I don't have extra money to spend on little collections at this time of my life. I also used to collect Scooby Doo items. I still have some of that stuff, and now I let the boys play with it.

- I got married at The Texas Renaissance Festival on November 19th, 2005. Kyle dressed as a pirate captain, and I was a queen. The good thing about theme weddings is that you can use your wedding clothes again and again. (I will put up some pics at the end of this post.)

- Little known fact: I was actually in a local fashion show in high school. Not that I was "model material" or anything. Basically, the store recruited local high school kids to be in the show. I knew an insider though my involvement with show choir and musical theater, and the show required a very short runway walk along with some dance numbers. It was a lot of fun.

- I love baking stuff. I really like baking breads that are sweet, muffins, cookies, and stuff. I wish I had more time to devote to it. As it is, I am currently over-scheduled, which is something I desperately need to work on. But anyway, I have baked once each week for the last couple of weeks. I really would like to be able to bake something once every week. It's so nice to have a treat fresh out of the oven, and I am learning tricks on how to bake healthier. In the long run, having healthier homemade treats around is much better that having processed, junky snacks. Here's the recipe for the last thing I baked: Pumpkin Oat Bread (Points +).

- I love coffee. I'm a big fan of the pumpkin spice latte. I also love convenience store hot chocolates. I have worked as a barista in 2 coffee shops. Free beverages was a huge perk for me.

- I was diagnosed with ADD as a young adult (early 20s.) I don't take meds for it, although I did for a while in the past, and yes, they helped. Personally, I just don't like the idea of having to take something for the rest of my life, so I will just remain flawed. Mostly, it is because of that particular type of medicine used to treat ADD. Anyway, I have ADD-ed myself out for the day. Seems like a good spot to end this particular blog post.

Here are some of my favorite dragons:

90s TV Flashback

2011-09-06T14:31:00.001-05:00

Remember "The Torkelsons"? I surfed and ran into a character listed from being on that show today and had this vague memory of the early 90s sitcom. I learned that the show was on for 2 seasons, took a hiatus, then came back in a new form as "Almost Home," and Brittany Murphy was in the new version.

I remember the teen lead character Dorthy Jane, played by Olivia Burnette. She was the epitome of the early 90s teen queen.

Swagbucks Scam???????

2011-09-01T15:16:00.000-05:00

I am not sure if swagbucks is a scam, but I am VERY DISSATISFIED with the time I wasted on their site eagerly expecting rewards and getting NOTHING. I posted a positive blog about this site (which will soon be updated, here's the link if you wanna do a recap: http://miccheck123.blogspot.com/2011/08/sell-out.html), and since I have joined I have not seen the fruits of my efforts.

The first problem I experienced with them was through their affiliate RadiumOne Social. The special offer on the swagbucks site promised 945 "swagbucks" (a currency that supposedly can be redeemed for products and gift cards) for signing up for a 30 day free trial with Equifax.com. I signed up with Equifax and my order never confirmed with the swagbucks page to get my swagbucks. I then sent in an inquiry with swagbucks and was contacted by their affiliate, RadiumOne social. They first asked for me to copy and paste my order confirmation email to them from Equifax. I did so, but that apparently wasn't good enough. So, here is the rest of the conversation I had with them copy and pasted (sorry about the mess-ups with the bullet points, with copy-and-paste this is the best I could do):

Hi -
Thank you for submitting your ticket to RadiumOne Support.
We will get back to you as soon as possible,
it typically takes between 1-4 days.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Thanks,
RadiumOne Support

Hi-
Send please a screen shot (jpg,bmp, or png format)from your Equifax ACCOUNT (Order history)to show that you successfully completed the offer requirements.
Please note that tickets are closed automatically within 5 days.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Thanks,
gWallet Support

I do not know how to make a screenshot. I looked it up and tried by pressing insert/prt sc, delete/sys rq, alt, and even with the shift button, it didn't work. I don't know what else to do. My order number with Equifax is:
1-11199621 563. Are you not able to confirm this with Equifax?

Hi -
Please try to make the required screen shot with the help of the instructions attached below
Please note that tickets are closed automatically within 5 days.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Thanks,
RadiumOne Support

Okay, I have attached a screenshot. My laptop would not make a
screenshot, so I had to use a different computer to do it. This was
very inconvenient. But it is done.
- Hi -
  Please send us a screen shot (jpg,bmp or png format)
  of your Welcome/Confirmation e-mail with message heading,
  to show that you successfully completed the offer requirements
  Please note that tickets are closed automatically within 5 days.
  Sorry for any inconvenience.
  Thanks,
  RadiumOne Support
It would seem that because my email and screenshot of my open equifax
account are not enough, that you are calling me a liar. I do not
appreciate that. I just called Equifax and had my free trial canceled.

But wait, there's more.

I also had problems receiving the gift cards I ordered with my swagbucks that I had already earned. They said it would take a couple of days to add them to my account. Well, I waited a week and got NOTHING. So, I quit swagbucks. I wish I would not have wasted my time.

Summertime

2011-08-25T14:35:00.000-05:00

Here's your daily dose of retro pop-culture:

Radiohead Release New King Of Limbs Basement Session On Youtube

2011-08-18T08:38:00.000-05:00

Yay! It's finally up, apparently for a limited time! I still haven't watched it, but I will sometime today when I have some free time.

Here's the link to Radiohead's youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/radiohead

Compartmentalization & IPod Song

2011-08-17T12:12:00.003-05:00

So now that I have my homemaker blog up, I will probably focus this one on more of my pop-culture preferences. I did away with the Radiohead blog, only because I only have things to post on there periodically. Now, if I have anything to post about Radiohead, it will be on this page. In case you are confused, I have 4 separate blogs: Misty-isms, Broomsticks and Banana Splits, Misty's Family Pics N More (which also serves as my "Gallery" page off the Broomsticks blog), and Remodeling My Life For Christ. All the links are just below the headers of each page for simple navigation. *smiles with ding sound*

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Now for some pop-culture fun! Here is one of the songs on my ipod from yesterday's workout:

Sell Out! (UPDATE: I quit swagbucks!)

2011-08-10T20:47:00.000-05:00

UPDATE!!!! I will keep the rest of this post up, but I need to add the update. I QUIT swagbucks already! I was very dissatisfied. Read about it here: http://miccheck123.blogspot.com/2011/09/swagbucks-scam.html

Yep, I'm selling out. I found this from a lead from another blog and decided to try it. It's a site called Swagbucks, and it's a reward points system for doing things on the internet like searching the web, playing games, watching videos, taking polls, etc.

Anyway, supposedly if you join this week and use the registration code "AUGUSTBONUS," you will get 50 free swagbucks on top of the ones they give you just for signing up. I started yesterday and already have 106 swagbucks. There are lots of things that you can get when you redeem these swagbucks. For example, it only takes 450 swagbucks to get a $5 Amazon gift card.

When you visit this site from my link, I get the points to match whatever you get when you start.

So yeah, I'm selling out a bit. But hey! I'm living in a time of economic crisis! I gotta do what I gotta do to get free stuff. Let's see how this works out.

...Well obviously, it didn't work out. Booo swagbucks!!

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Now here's a great music video (*artist does not endorse swagbucks as far as I know):

Highly Inspired

2011-08-09T23:06:00.000-05:00

This week my brain has been going at warp speed. I have been very inspired to do more blogging. So, I am working on a putting up a new blog with the main focus on my life as homemaker. I am experimenting with some new web tools for promotion and layout. I have even enlisted a family member who does photography to help me out. I am hoping to make this new blog function at a semi-professional level.

I have had many ideas for posts and decor, and I am even adding a facebook fan page. That's right, I will be back on facebook, sort of. I will only be running the fan page, though. As of now, I don't plan on getting my personal page back.

I hope the inspiration lasts a while. I actually have 2 posts written and ready to be posted when I officially get the site set up. You can check out the bare-bones site here, if you are curious (it is certainly not at all finished, but this is the location anyway):

Self-Sacrifice & What's New For August 2011

2011-08-08T12:42:00.001-05:00

Well, I have come to realize that constant self-sacrifice is a major issue when you take on certain responsibilities. Kyle and I have made significant lifestyle changes in order to accommodate our growing family. We have given up many things. A few days ago, I did something that was really tough for me to do...

I gave up my salon hair-coloring habit. (Dun dun duuuuuuun!) For many people, this wouldn't be a big deal, but for me it was. You see, I have been having my hair professionally dyed for about 14 years. I honestly haven't been able to properly afford the up-keep, so many times I will have embarrassing roots showing. But, I would just wait until I had the money for a proper root job, and that was that.

The other factor in this is that, I love my hairdresser! Her name is Milli and she is a personal friend of mine. I met her through a friend of Kyle's in a time in my life when I actually needed a new hair dresser and she needed some childcare. I helped her out, and she began doing my hair. We became close friends through the years. She has a good heart, and I will highly recommend her for anyone who needs a new do. In fact, I will take some time to give her a plug now. Here's what to search for to find her on facebook: Mildreisis Urdaz Cross. Message her, and she will set you up for an appointment. Be sure and tell her that you were referred by Misty's Blog. (Who knows, maybe I'll get a free haircut out of the deal someday. Hee-Hee.)

Anyway, I had to come to the realization that I really can't afford to have it professionally done anymore. By setting aside that money for myself when it needs to stay in the general pool of family funds, I am actually being selfish. I can't let my foolish pride over salon hair control me. It's just kinda silly when I stop and think about it. But, that doesn't mean I have to just let myself go, either. That's why there is store-bought box color.

I think I have only used a box color once, and that was when I first turned 18. I dyed just the front part of my hair (my grown-out bangs.) So I had two blond face-framing streaks, and the rest of my hair I had left alone. I am not sure what my main inspiration was. I think it was a late-90s thing. Anyway, I hope I don't screw it up too bad this time around. (If I do, I'll be calling Milli for a corrective color.)

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In other news, JM's birthday is at the end of this month. We decided to do a family party in Texas and he picked going to Chuck E. Cheese over having a big party here. I think it's gonna be so much fun for JM and S. It will be their first time.

UL starts this month, and I'm enrolled in one class (due to lack of funds and time.) Anyway, I will be taking it online, which was a good experience last semester. Hopefully, this one will be the same.

Well, that's about it for now. Happy Monday!

Free Haircuts For Kids! (Thanks Lydia!)

2011-08-04T11:56:00.000-05:00

Today, we loaded the boys up and headed to Remington College for "cuts for kids." They are doing a 2-week period of free haircuts for ages17 and under. I got an email from my friend, Lydia about it. Here's a link:
Cuts For Kids. It's a back-to-school thing.

One of the perks of being an at-home mom is that you can just up-and-go without too much notice. It was a good experience. The kids got an outing, and I got free haircuts.

For The Amazing Story Of My Baby Girl...

2011-08-03T13:45:00.000-05:00

For "The Amazing Story Of My Baby Girl," jump to: Remodeling My Life For Christ. It's my story of the trials and prayer that brought me my baby girl. That is all for now.

A Quiet Afternoon

2011-08-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

Today, Maw came to take the boys for an over-nighter. So, it's been just me and R (until Kyle gets off.) What a wonderful day of relaxation it has been for me. R is getting some one-on-one time, too. I still have a few things to get done around here. But, it's nice to be able to have time to refresh myself first.