Blah. Blah. Blah. Blog World. Blah. Sponsors.

Hello. I have no exciting greeting for you today, because I'm not feelin' it. Sorry!

In other news, I have a complaint about the blog world as of late. Many of us (myself included) have become blah. All I'm seeing everywhere are guest posts and giveaways (see, I told you I was a part of the blah). This has sort of led me to a difficult place. 

Enter.... sponsorship. I have been doing sponsors on this here blog since... oh, November, I think. I love helping others to grow their blogs, but this is what I have a problem with. I'm going to sound like an awful person for this, but try to hear me out, okay? 

1. People I have never spoken to, who don't comment on or visit my blog, or even FOLLOW my blog asking me to do a sponsor swap with them just because I have more followers than they do. I don't know why, but I feel like I can better recommend people that I actually know and talk to. Like I said, this may be rude of me, but if you claim to "love my blog so much" that you want to sponsor it, shouldn't you do one of the above things? 

2. People that ask me to ad swap and then never put my button up on their side bar. This is a 2-way street, people. I have accidentally done this once, but fixed it as soon as I was alerted. Really, though. I tend to think it's not that difficult, and if you've asked me to swap and you don't have my button up, it's not because I didn't get you my button on time. 

3. Guest posting. I generally don't have guest posters. It's not that I don't want to feature the people on my sidebar. It IS that I don't want to give 12 days out of the month from my blog to you. Sorry if that's selfish, but people follow my blog for me (or at least I like to think so). If/when I do have guest posters, I try to do my own post in the same day so that I've contributed something to my blog. 

4. Giveaways. Oh my goodness I love giveaways. I think, though, that maybe one a week is too many? I don't know, it's really hard to find a good balance with those things. If anyone has a suggestion on how to find a balance, let me know, because I love having fun things to give to my readers. 

5. I don't have anything to put here... I'm just OCD about lists. Sorry, it had to have 5 things. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is this: sponsorship is great, but I want to know my sponsors. I do swaps for free. Maybe if I had 500 followers and asked people to pay for sponsorship, I wouldn't care who was on my sidebar. 

I want to help you grow your blog. I want to help you gain fabulous readers. But I also want to know the person behind the blog. 

With that being said, this is the only call for March sponsorship I will do this month. If you want to be a part of it, email me. If you've already emailed me, don't worry about it - you're on the list.

And for the sake of being a hypocrite: enter my giveaway here. 

Favorite Things Friday

Yo homies. 

As surprising as this may be, it has been a freaking long week (even though I only worked 3 days). That being said... I am totally in need of my Favorite Things Friday list to make me smile and remember the good stuff in life. 
1. Sitting in bed with Husband and a good book. Hunger Games and Hubby, that's all I need to make me happy right now. [Side Note: KATNISS I STILL HATE YOU!!!]

2. Hunger Games. I know, I know. This has been on my list like... every week. But I finally got the second and third books, and I'm so stoked to read them both! 

3. Settlers of Catan. I need an intervention. Catan world online has become my go-to boredom fix. It's bad, people. Really bad. 

via

4. Pronunciation mistakes made by German students. I know I'm awful for saying this, but it is hilarious when my students mess up pronunciation. For example, someone was talking about veggie burgers and kept calling them wedgie burgers. A sweat shop has become a sweet shop. PMS doesn't stand for pre-menstrual syndrome - instead it stands for post menstrual satisfaction. A vacuum is not a cleaning tool anymore - oh, no. It's something much better - a whack-you. I imagine that this is some sort of weapon used to hit people once they start to annoy you. Needless to say, things sometimes get interesting, and that makes me happy. 

5. Warm[er] weather. People, it's been in the high 30s all week long. Can I get a Hallelujah and an Amen? Thanks. 

PS: There is still time to enter my giveaway hosted by Amy here. 

And... I am giving away a free blog design at Truly Lovely. 
And... Don't forget to link up this Sunday for Sunday Confessions! 

Dear Husband...

Yo. Howdy. Hello. Hi there. Bonjour. Hola. Hallo. 
I realized today that I don't talk about husband a lot. I tend to think that this okay, because my blog isn't a "newlywed" blog, and I don't feel the need to constantly tell the entire world how much I love him, or how perfect marriage is, or any of that stuff. The only problem I have with this is that I think that someday [either when I'm 103 or 28 and I wake up from a car crash and forget that I'm married to Channing Tatum Husband] I'd like to have it written down somewhere who this giant dude that I'm married to is. 
Don't worry, it's not all mushy gushy. I tend to keep that stuff just between us. :)
Dear Husband,
I think you're pretty great. When I met you, I thought you were a young'un because you had such a baby face. I was convinced that by dancing with you, I was breaking some sort of law. I mean, really. You did not look 21 at all. Once I found out you were, though, I was a little more okay with asking for your phone number [I got the moves like Jagger...] and consequently having a text-ersation for a few hours after we met. 

Haha, yeah... I married that!! 

After that night... we never really looked back, did we? Five and a half months later I said "I do" and we were officially stuck together for eternity. I don't mind, though. I've learned a lot about you in these past [almost] two years of knowing you. For example: 
- Your favorite place in the world is Scotland

- You still speak British English and say silly things like "flat" and "trousers," and misspell words like "color" and "favorite."
- You have an amazing voice. [don't believe me? Go click his little button on my left sidebar.]
- You think it's hilarious to come fart in my face and then run away (don't kill me for writing that). You also take ridiculous pictures like this: 

- You have very strong ears and can handle a ton of loud noises and yelling, because I have yet to figure out what an "inside voice" is. 
- You really like babies and are going to be a totally awesome dad. 

- [Insert inappropriate comment about making babies here]
- It is very difficult for you to take a photo without a cheesy smile. 

- Feeding you is more expensive than feeding 2 midgets (I've never fed two midgets, but I assume this is a true fact). 
- You almost always put the toilet seat down [number one husband trait right there, buddy]. Except last night when I almost fell in. You forgot last night. But... every other time, you remember. 
- You have a cute butt (please don't kill me for that, either). 

- You let me be a bed hog in bed and a water hog in the shower (don't get your disgusted face on, I know I am not the only person who showers with their husband)
- You like how "little" I am compared to you. I think it makes you feel strong. 

- You are huge, and with another face would probably be terrifying, but you are really just a big teddy bear who wouldn't hurt a fly (if a big crazy stalker is reading this... he wouldn't hurt a fly unless a fly tried to hurt me. If that happened.... he would murder the fly like the cold-blooded fly killer that he is). 
- Lots of other crap, but this is getting long. Ask me later, and I'll list off some more stuff. 
Moral of the story is... you're a pretty cool dude, and I'm happy you asked me to dance that one time, because life with you just keeps gettin' better. I like our impromptu singing and ridiculous dancing, I like our stupid and silly conversations (half of which are inappropriate so never end up here). I like it all! And... there's time to enter the giveaway! Go here 

A Giveaway. Or: Something Better than What I Wore Wednesday because I Don't Feel Like Making Husband Take My Picture. AKA Meet Amy!!

Hi Friends!!!! 

I'm not doing What I Wore Wednesday (but check out the super cute scarf I won from Ma Nouvelle Mode), and I'm not going to tell you about how I got made fun of by my 13th graders because of my laugh, and I'm not going to tell you that I "danced" my way home while rapping to some Hammer Time and consequently felt the intense urge to make a music video while rapping my heart out and wearing some parachute pants. 
Instead, I have my friend and sponsor Amy here to tell you guys a little bit about herself. Stick around to the end... she has a surprise for you! 
Oh, and remember last week when Ashley hosted a giveaway? I picked a winner. Go here to see if it was you! ****************************************************************************************

Hello, Hello readers of the lovely Alyx!

today i come bearing two spectacular gifts i would like to give away,

but before we get to that, allow me to introduce myself.

I am Amy and I blog over at Life As I Know It.

i blog about my random life, which generally happens to be pretty great.

i love the color turquoise and purple.

i think elephants are the cutest thing ever,

and i am obsessed with people watching.

check out my latest, greatest encounter.

i recently purchased two things that i love oh so dearly, and i wanted to share them with you today.

one lucky reader will win this beauty.

and 

another reader will win my favorite mascara of all time.

it does wonder for the lashes i tell ya

winners will be announced in one week, on February 22nd.
happy winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Thoughts. [Fox in Socks?]

Hello there, friends. I know it's Valentine's Day. I'm not going to tell you all how much I love my husband (I've told him plenty of times today). If you want to know how much I love you, check out this poem that I wrote for you. 
Anyway. Allow me to take you on a train ride. This train just so happens to be my train of thought. 
I think at 1,000 miles per hour. Sometimes I feel like I talk that fast, too, but I don't know if that's humanly possible. I am, however, a super speed reader. I  once read "Green Eggs and Ham" really really fast. Actually, I sort of feel the need to do a vlog showing you guys my speed reading skillz. They're pretty crazy. I wonder if the text is online? Let me go look...Hmmm, I just found a word document. I hope there's not a virus in there. Eh, nope. Looks like it's okay. Look, I told you this was a train ride, so you're getting every thought that pops into my head. Hehehehe. Here it is. Hmmm. Should I do this? Are my speed reading skills as good as they used to be? I guess we'll find out. No! Wait! It wasn't "Green Eggs and Ham!!" It was "Fox in Socks!"

You're welcome. 

No Bake Cookies because It's V-Day & You Need More Chocolate.

Hello, hello, you lovely reader. 

I think you're great and there's nothing sweeter

than the comments you leave and the nice things that you say

All those kind words sure brighten my day. 

You don't smell like fish

and you aren't a poopy face

I'm so glad we all have blogs

and not a myspace. 

So please keep on reading

unless your heart stops beating.

If that happens, 

go to a doctor. 

I guess all that I'm trying to say

to you my dear readers... is Happy Valentine's Day! 

So. Best greeting ever?? I think so. Anyway, as you all probably know, I'm not the biggest fan of Valentine's Day, but I had to make some cookies for my 5th graders, and I thought I would share the recipe with you, because it is delicious and wonderful and super easy. Seriously, it's so easy that Captain Hook could do it.... with only his hook hand. 

Total Time Required: 30 minutes

Ingredients: 
     1 3/4 c sugar
        1/2 c milk
        1/2 c butter
           4 T unsweetened cocoa
        1/2 c peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)
           3 c quick cooking oats
           1 tsp vanilla extract (or vanilla sugar if you're somewhere vanilla extract doesn't exist)
         1/4 c shredded coconut (optional)

 Step One:
     In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa.

Step two:

     Heat the mixture over medium to high heat, stirring constantly. 

 Step three:
     Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 1 1/2 minutes, remembering to stir constantly.

Step four:      Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, oats, coconut, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls (or giganto spoonfuls if you're like me) onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.

February Love. Part 2.

Hey party people!!! It's Monday, and generally on Mondays I introduce you to some of the wonderful people that I have hanging out on my sidebar. This particular Monday is no exception. 

I hope that you stop by and give these lovely/supercool/fun ladies a visit! As always, click the pics to head over to their sites! 

My blog is about me and my hubs and our crazy (possibly slightly odd) lives ;) I love having fun on my space and for the next little bit I'm gonna be going a little baby crazy ;) We're expecting our first baby in June and it's a GIRL! I'm a Disney freak, LDS, book nerd, movie fanatic, and you should come join in my laughter and frivolity ;)

I also sell Avon (it's a new thing…..we need to pay for this unborn child ya know??) so if you're interested, here's the link to my webpage (and yes international orders can be done too!)

blog. facebook. twitter.
Who's that in your picture, and why do you love them?I love my Andrew a hecka lot ;) We waited for 3 years before we got married (he had to serve his mission after all) and it was worth every tear, lost letter, and all the uncertainty. He is truly my better half in every way. I love that we can laugh and tease each other and we're all the stronger for it ;)

This is the story of a flawed girl.  She’s not known for being decisive.   She’s honest and unafraid to speak her mind, sometimes to a fault.  And she wishes she had more to offer this world.  With seven siblings, a knack for writing, and an unhealthy obsession with all things bubbly, she's quite the well-rounded gal you’ll learn. After spending the entire summer in the nation’s capital, the return to the quintessential college town of Oxford was quite the culture shock, I must say.  As a finance major, constantly working withnumbers, I don’t get the opportunity to express my creative side much, so this is my outlet to do just that!  Join me in the trials and tribulations of this crazy little thing we call life, won’t you?
blog. facebook. bloglovin'. pinterest. 
Who's that in your picture, and why do you love them?I love the amazing woman in the picture with me (my mama) because she has been my rock and there for me through thick and thin.

My blog is basically a virtual journal of my life. I even had it made into a book, and then gave it to my hubby (then boyfriend) as a gift for our 1 year anniversary (when we were dating). This is something I plan on doing every year. The internet is so much better than handwriting out your thoughts. This gives the opportunities to share with others. How great is that? I usually post about my life with my hubby and our dog. However, I post on a plethora of topics: likes, dislikes, funny stories, wish lists, DIY tutorials, tons of photos, etc. There is really no recipe to this madness. It usually depends on what tickles my fancy on that particular day.
blog. twitter.
Who's that in your picture, and why do you love them?

He's my hubby and best friend. Whatever I attempt to do, he is always super supportive. No matter if we are sitting on the couch and doing nothing or having a night on the town, we always have fun. Ever since I met him, he has always made me laugh, which is one of the things that made me fall in love with him. He's also pretty handsome.