Tea Time With Valerie

Do you think you're smarter than me?

Valerie — 2011-11-20T05:48:26Z

I am working on the Smarterer campaign for BzzAgent. How fun is this? Take this test and see if you're smarter than me! I'm taking tests on how proficient I am in Facebook, Twitter and BzzAgent. I just got a score of 391! You can post your results on Twitter or Facebook. Better yet, come here and tell me how you do!

Just a bunch of Saturday Stuff!

Valerie — 2011-10-22T23:25:15Z

Matt's going to be 14 on Monday. Where did that time go? I can definitely tell he's a teen. Instead of toys and video games, he wants clothes and a new cell phone.

He and a bunch of his friends met at Cici's Pizza for dinner, and Darren just took them to Worlds of Fun for the Halloween Haunt. This is something Matt loves to do for his birthday. They won't be home until way late. The guys will have a sleepover, and I'm sure they'll want pancakes for breakfast.

While Emily's at a debate tournament, and Darren and the boys are gone, I'm home alone! This doesn't happen too often anymore. I'm going to veg out. I'm extremely exhausted lately; I think I may take another nap!

I've recently started doing some of that extreme couponing. I don't make it a lifestyle, but I do get the coupons every week, and I check blogs for good sale and coupon match ups. I've also gotten some really good samples. Today, for instance, I got a really cute cosmetic bag from Target. Inside was a pack of Pond's Evening Soother cleansing towelettes, Burt's Bees Milk and Honey lotion, several shampoo and conditioner combinations, and L'Oreal Youth Code night cream. I also got a booklet with $20 in beauty coupons. NICE!

Guess I better go figure out how I'm going to while away my evening. I'm definitely enjoying it so far!

Is it Friday yet?

Valerie — 2011-10-21T05:49:00Z

Technically, yes, since it's 12:37 am. But if I were with my friends in Alaska, it would only be 9:37, and I'd still have plenty of Thursday left to enjoy. I just love that...sometimes she's doing things I've already done at that time. It's just funny to think that way!

Everything went well with Michael this morning. Not only did he get a clear but cautious bill of health from the surgeon, but he also got to spend much of the morning with me. We went to the violin shop to get the bridge fixed. It had snapped earlier this week, and he was pretty upset about it. While we were there, he got to play with a 5 string, and his eyes just lit up. He's been asking for a 5 string for a while, but he hasn't gotten the all clear from his teacher yet. While they were fixing the violin, he and I had brunch, and we spent that time connecting and laughing. A lot. It's a lot of fun to spend one on one time with my kids. I really enjoy it.

Matt's school had a Make Somebody Smile day. If you got caught making somebody smile, you got a treat. Everybody got a ring. Apparently Matt made somebody smile, because he got a Class of 2016 tee shirt. He's pretty proud of it. He really is enjoying the independence of going to the junior high. His tics from the Tourette's have calmed down a bit from his overloads this summer. He's having his 14th birthday party this weekend and really looking forward to it.

I teach French tomorrow afternoon. It's the first time this year I'll have Matt in class. Should be a lot of fun! Emily will be at her first debate tournament of the year this weekend. Darren and I will probably head out to Coming Home. Sounds like a good weekend to me!

I have the right to brag

Valerie — 2011-10-20T05:04:16Z

...so I'm going to take that right and brag about my life right now.

1. My children are doing so well academically. They are all excelling in school. Conferences this year are actually a lot of fun! To top it off, Emily just received an invitation to apply for National Honor Society. When I compare where she is now to the Junior I was in high school, I'm amazed at her tenacity, skills, and her heart for serving.

2. Matthew ran cross country this year, and I'm so proud of how well he did! He's also in the fall play, and he starts wrestling at the end of the month.

3. It's been quite a rough start to the year for Michael. First, one morning, he woke up with chunks of his hair missing. He has autoimmune alopecia. Luckily, most of it is starting to grow back. Then, he had a mass in his belly that required emergency surgery. He's now recovering from that, and will return to the doctor tomorrow for his post surgical follow up. Despite that, he's doing really well in school.

Emily is going out for Miss Teen Missouri USA on November 5th and 6th. We're really looking forward to that. Her gown is beautiful, her interview dress is gorgeous, and her swimwear...well, Daddy doesn't like it, but the color is phenomenal on her. She's already gotten a scholarship to her beloved Lindenwood University by going out for the pageant. We're looking forward to seeing what happens. This could be a very, very good thing for her.

Our upstairs pipes are being cantankerous, so Darren's been remodeling up there. He's moved the cast iron claw foot tub, and built a shower. Of course, with pipes this old, they just don't hold together well when they're manipulated, so we've had a number of drips, leaks, and indoor thundershowers. He's so close to laying the linoleum, though, and then we'll paint. It's going to really be nice when it's done.

That's about it on my end! I had hoped to do another NaNoWriMo this year, but I just can't. I wish they would do it over the summer, or even in March, when it isn't as hard! It seems like my Novembers are just so busy anymore. That's okay...I love having something to do.

Holiday weekend

Valerie — 2011-07-02T15:12:22Z

I woke up this morning with the realization that I have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING planned! That never happens! I'm sure we'll figure out something to keep us busy later today, but for now, I have no busy work, no deadlines, no activities...NOTHING! I'm going to sit back, enjoy my java, and play.

Before I do, though, I do want to tell you about how I've been making a few bucks this summer. See, I'm a substitute teacher, and I have NO paycheck in July and August. Of course, that's when the kids are home, wanting to go places and do things, so I really need some money. I'm going to list how I've been doing that, and maybe they will pique your curiosity.

ClixSense is so easy! You go to their site, log in, and click web pages. You are either timed on how long you've been there, or you do a picture guarantee that will prove you spent time on the site. Very quick and easy.

Longtime readers know that I love Izea. Pay Per Post started my love two years ago. Now they have Sponsored Tweets where I get paid to simply Tweet about an advertiser or product. There is also the We Reward program. Whenever I'm out and about, if I take a picture enjoying a sponsor's product, I earn points that can be turned into money! For instance, my daughter and I were at Baskin Robbins yesterday. I took a picture of her in front of the BR logo, and sent it through my iPhone app. Voila, I got an easy 100 points! You do need a Twitter, Foursquare or Facebook account. I have all 3, so this was a no brainer for me! You can find out more information about Sponsored Tweets here:

Or learn more about We Reward here: Izea We Reward

So even though I'm not teaching, I am bringing home some money this summer. It helps!

Zenni Optical. STILL my favorite eyeglass store!

Valerie — 2011-07-01T03:01:37Z

If you're a longtime reader of my blog, you know that I rave about Zenni Optical. I have gotten the cutest glasses there, and all for such affordable prices, that I can get enough to complete a wardrobe! My husband loves Zenni, as well, and has gotten a couple of pair of glasses. So has my daughter. And now, both of my sons. To say we're a Zenni family is absolutely the truth! It's gotten to be quit an obsession, actually. I mean, look at THESE glasses I found today!

American flag glasses! How awesome is that, especially this weekend!

Zenni Optical has given my family affordable eyeglasses for three years. We typically use our vision insurance for contacts, and use Zenni for our prescription eyeglasses.. We have never been disappointed. We love that we can have quality eyeglasses for our kids, especially our teenage son who has Tourettes and tends to tic enough that his glasses have issues. We have recommended Zenni to several people, including our taxi driver in Florida three years ago who was complaining about his daughter's habit of losing her expensive glasses.

Regardless of what you need, you can find it for less money at Zerri. Make sure that you get your PD (pupillary distance) from your eyecare provider, as well as determine if your child needs children's or adult lenses. They have the special items you find at your optometrist, including bifocal lenses and the special UV coating. There is even an amazing tool that will help you see how your glasses will look on your face! You upload a picture, and you can virtually try on your glasses before ordering. Isn't that amazing?

If you can't tell, the Gallup family LOVES Zenni optical. For quality, quick arriving, and accurate glasses starting at $6, Zenni is the place to go!

National American Miss

Valerie — 2011-06-30T17:56:59Z

What an experience we had last weekend at the Missouri National American Miss pageant! Although Emily didn't win or place, she learned so much, and we will definitely be more prepared next year.

This is, by far, the most expensive pageant we've tried. We learned a number of positive things. How to stand. How to walk. How to hold a microphone. How to curl her hair endlessly. How to pack. How to manage our paperwork. How to schedule.

We also learned that she isn't polished enough for talent. That's okay! Dancing is her hobby, not her lifelong dream. We learned that next year, she should continue to do Spokesmodel (but learn her speech better). She is definitely a winner in volunteerism (but we need to organize our paperwork better). We learned that she should try commercial acting. Modeling. Casual Wear Modeling. Photogenic. She learned that she needs to start EARLY for sponsorships. She is naturally an IT girl, as was definitely shown in her amazing personal introduction. And, girl, she looks GOOOoood (especially in her heels).

We learned to take lots of pictures, because the photo CDs and the video are well out of our price range. We learned that her suit was amazing. We learned that personality is a plus and will get her far; not only in the pageant world, but also in life.

We are armed and dangerous now! Next week, we travel to Atlanta for the National US United pageant. She is doing photogenic, talent, casual wear modeling, introduction, community service.

And then, for fun, we are entering the regional America's Beautiful Role Model pageant in Louisville, KY in August.

She was disappointed, because this is the first pageant she hasn't won. But you know what? She needed that, I think. I know it's sad, but next year, she will do better. Hey, Emily...I'm SO PROUD OF YOU!

Summer summer

Valerie — 2011-06-17T04:37:22Z

We have 3 pageants this summer. When I first signed up, I thought it would be a piece of cake to do this. Hoy! I'm so wrong! I feel like we're REALLY running out of time.

Next week is the National American Miss pageant for Missouri. Now, this is an extremely competitive pageant. There are a lot of different categories, but Emily is just doing introduction, formal modeling, interview, talent and spokesmodel.

In July, we're doing the US United pageant in Atlanta. Emily is Miss Missouri Teen US United. This looks like a great pageant. She's doing talent, interview, formal wear modeling and casual wear modeling.

In August, we're doing the America's Beautiful Role Model regional pageant in Louisville, KY. Where I used to live! I'm so excited about it! We're hoping her friend will come along as a support crew, and that our cousin will drive down for some girly time. She's competing in outfit of choice (the theme is Disco Fever, so we got her a really cool disco outfit), formal wear and introduction. This is her first Glitz and Glam pageant; it should be interesting to see how she handles it.So

That's it on the pageant front! Next post will be about the costumes.

Test

Valerie — 2011-06-17T04:20:38Z

Between love and madness, lies xenophobia

Should a dive steam in the unlucky volunteer?

Valerie — 2011-06-13T18:28:34Z

Should a dive steam in the unlucky volunteer?