Influenster anyone ?

I am part of this great group called Influenster, they send out ”voxboxes” which are free to you and all they ask is for you to review the products.

When you first sign up you fill out your profile and unlock badges by taking surveys, reviewing products you currently use, etc. It's super easy. The more active you are the more boxes you are sent. So far I have gotten Palmolive dish soap and Mary Kay products. When I tell you they send  you products I am talking full size not samples !!

If you are interested in becoming a member let me know so I can send you an invite ! Either comment with your email address or email me at theramblingsofdiane@gmail.

It's worth it, trust me !

School bus update

It's been almost a month of training now. I am comfortable driving the bus around the streets with other cars around me. I have come to learn all the parts of the engine in order to do my pre-trip, although I have renamed some parts to my liking ! Now what is standing in my way...the flipping course ! 

I posted a picture a few posts back of the cones on the course, they are scenarios that are never going to happen in real life so why do they torture us with it ?! I am proud of myself though, I did the whole course including parallel parking without going "out" meaning without going over the imaginary line, a cone or an imaginary wall. I was coached heavily BUT I did all the actual driving. The other people I am training with seem to think I am a natural and going to make a good driver. Driving that beast still scares me a bit but I am enjoying it.

Before I can take my test to get my license to start driving real kid I need to master that course and believe me I will. I am going to own it. I need this job so that is where this confidence is coming from, that and I am learning to stand on my own two feet.

Wish me luck guys !

First Day of School

I cannot believe I am a mother to a Sophomore in high school, just doesn't seem possible after all I am still 25...alright fine, I am not still 25 !! 

I am wicked proud of my oldest daughter Jewelia, she is growing up into a respectful and nice young lady. I hope her years in high school go smoothly and turn out to be fun great life learning experiences. I hope she forms strong friendship bonds like I did with my best friend. 

Here is to a smooth new school year !

Cosmetics

I adore cosmetics, plain and simple almost as much as shoes..almost ! I recently won a deluxe size sample of Smashbox's photo finish foundation primer. Where the heck has this stuff been all my life ??!! Seriously it feels so soft and luxurious going on and then to top it off makes my skin look amazing after my foundation is on. I am definitely going to be purchasing some of this before my deluxe sample is gone.

I just want to clarify Smashbox did not ask me to review this, I just adored it so much I had to share !!

The wheels on the bus go ..

It's been a week and a day since I have started training and I have come a long way in that short amount of time. I am really proud of myself !

I have finally driven on the street with other cars and get this, I even drove on the highway in the pouring rain .....woot woot ! Highway is super scary, you feel like you have no control and the bus has absolutely no pick up. But I did it.

The hardest is yet to come, the actual course which includes parallel parking and my pre trip. There are like a million parts I will have to point out on test day, craziness !

So far I am doing well. One of the trainers said I drive like I have had my license for months :-)

Finally getting myself back and on my own two feet feels awesome !

Quick little coupon tip

Recently I have really started couponing, don't get me wrong I have been doing it but now I am upping the ante sort to speak. I have discovered that if you print coupons from http://www.inboxdollars.com when you redeem them they credit your account $.10 which can really add up especially if you read your paid emails and do the surveys. So if you have not already go and sign up, it's easy money and great coupons.

Another helpful site is www.couponmom.com, lots of great coupons there. If you know of any other good sites, leave a comment with the link. 

Yay me !

I finally did it today, I got behind the wheel of the bus, granted it was in an empty parking lot but what did you really expect ?! Although the instructor wanted me to drive on the actual street to get to the course, I nearly had a heart attack while saying no way !

It was not as scary as I anticipated, I was so nervous at the thought of driving last night that I couldn't sleep, had heart burn and literally threw up. Crazy now that I think of it but your mind plays tricks on you and makes you think something is worse than what it really is. I actually made a right hand turn without hitting the curb, pretty good for my first go. I can honestly say I am proud of myself. Either tomorrow or Friday I have a feeling I am going to be on the actual streets so if you see a very slow moving bus near Fort Devens it's me, please be kind :-) 

My new Adventure

I have officially started school bus driving training yesterday. I absolutely hated it yesterday ! But I think I was really intimidated, after all it's a 40 foot long vehicle weighing 15 tons....that's a lot of vehicle to control. And I did not drink enough caffeine so I got a mega with drawl headache. I was miserable.

Today was a completely different story, I was mentally prepared and caffeine prepared ! I am still a bit intimidated but I know I can do this. This new adventure is big for me, I am finally getting myself back and standing on my own two feet. I have a new apartment which will hopefully be ready for me soon and now my own income, I will not have to rely on anyone anymore. I can even take Gina on the bus with me which is an added bonus, no daycare worries here !! 

Now tomorrow, I actually get behind the wheel...yikes !!!!! Stay tuned for another bus update :-)