I finally made the switch

Not the switch from blogger to wordpress, but the switch from .blogspot to .com and I must say, I love it!  I'm so excited to finally have my very own AHousewifeManifesto.com that I'm doing a happy dance as I type this, you can't see it, but I'm doing it.  Isn't it just so much cuter now that it's housed on it's very own matching domain name?  I think so.

I've updated the link to my button, so if you want to be a dear and switch them out that would be just lovely of you!  I've also got new email addresses, so I'll be updating all that info here in a bit.

It's Follow Me Back Tuesday and I'll be getting to that in a minute, but first I want to address something else.  There are only two days left to enter my CSNStores.com $50.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway, so if you want to win you have today and tomorrow to get those entries in!  I've got a couple other things coming up this week, some brilliant giveaways for you, and some other posts.  So come back and check those out!

 

Now, as I said it's Follow Me Back Tuesday, and you can link up too at Boobies Babies and a Blog, Little YaYa's or Survey Junkie.  Don't forget to follow this weeks guest hosts The White Whimsies and Staying Me!

I am also linking up with the following meme's today:

I'm baaaaaack!

Welcome to A Housewife Manifesto, presented to you by moi (the zombie housewife)!

I am so very very happy to finally be done.  I must say that I'm really happy with the end result, I suppose all that time, indecision and perfectionism paid off.  Do you likey?

I've updated all the pages in my nav bar up top under the header, so feel free to check them out if you like.  Each and every single tiny little thing about, on and having to do with this blog has been edited, changed or redone.  It's taken a while but I am finally completely and totally done with it!

If you don't mind, grab my new button over there too.  If you want to that is.

I've got a lot of stuff coming up that I think everyone will like.  Starting with a giveaway from CSNStores.com tomorrow.  After that I've got a few other surprises up my sleeve as well, but you'll just have to wait and see what they are.

Also, I'd really appreciate it if ya'll would take the time to vote for me in the Top 25 Product Review Parents on Circle of Moms.  You can vote for me by going to my page here or by clicking on the linked button below!  You can also get to my page to vote for me by clicking on the button in my sidebar!


I am currently battling sickness and allergys, and they've hooked up to try to defeat me, but in spite of them I finished everything I needed to do.  Perhaps a little slower than normal, but I'm done just the same.  It is currently 1:35 in the a.m. where I'm at, so I need to hit the sack, as they say.  Jagger and I have to go to the doctor in the morning. I am so glad to be back to blogging though.  I've missed it, I never knew how addictive it was until now!

Goodnight Blog Land!  I will see you in the morning with that CSN giveaway and I intend to actually post, real proper like!  I've seriously missed my blog so much.  How have ya'll been?  What'cha been into?

What do you think of the new blog design?  Any suggestions?

Out with the old

Out with the old and in with the new!

That's what the New Year is all about.  Whether you made the the traditional resolutions or you're like me and made what you call 'goals' that's the attitude of most people when we're propelled into a new year.  Isn't it strange what the changing of a single digit on the end of the year can do?  How it can inspire people to change their lives and attitudes, even for a short period of time.  

Keeping with that theme, I am going to be working out some of my 'blog and blogging goals' today and tonight.  It shouldn't take too long because I've already got most of what I'm doing set up on the test blog.  So it's out with the old and in with the new for me and my blog this year.  

I hope you like the changes, I've been working on them for over a week!  It's all about the word 'simplify' for me this year, so it should come as no surprise that it's one of my goals to simplify my blog this year as well.  I want it to be sleek, clean, simply but pretty and at the same time still having that bit of 'me' in it.  I want it to be easy to navigate and pleasing to the eye.  

I hope y'all enjoy the changes as much as I do.  

How is 2011 treating you all thus far?

New Year, New Me!

Welcome to The Zombie Housewife version Two Thousand Elven point oh.  Doesn't seem much different, huh?

That's because it's not much different, at least not yet anyway.  That's because I haven't put the changes I have in store for this blog into effect yet.  While I've been on my semi-extended winter blogcation I've had a lot of time to think, and as much as that fact my scare my Husband, friends and those of you who truly know me, it's actually been a good thing.

I love the way the New Year turns me (and millions of other people) into reflective thinkers.  It makes you want to take a step back and think about the past year, life, where you are in your life, family, relationships and goals.  I love being able to think of the year as a clean slate, and a time for change and possibility. 

Now I will say this, I am not much for resolutions.  Mostly because after observing people a resolution has come to mean "An ill thought out wish that people make on New Years Eve or New Years Day, without thinking it through or making a plan to achieve the resolution.  Later to be discarded and rejected when the resolution maker realizes that it will actually take some amount of work to achieve this goal or change."  It's my opinion that most people really believe that the pounds are just going to melt away with sheer will and the power that it takes to think about losing weight, or that people believe that wanting to make a change or reach a goal will automatically get them there without working for it. 

This year I've actually sat down and set some goals though.  I prefer to think of them as goals but that's just me.  I also separated them into four categories, because I'm an anal, type A, list making OCD crazy person.  I know what you're thinking, "I hate people like that" well I hate people like that too.  Imagine how awkward that little bit of self loathing is for me, but it's okay, cause I can always make a pro and con list and feel better.

My categories are My Spiritual Life, Personal, Family/Relationships and Blogging.  Yes, I set goals for all of those things.  I plan to work toward them throughout the year as well, and I'm very excited to see the rewards of all my hard work!  There's nothing better than setting a goal and reaching it.  I'm going to be adding a section in my Nav Bar up there where my Goals for 2011 will be outlined, so look out for that!

I've got several new things planned for the blog, because I've been thinking for a while that maybe I should focus on the more personal side of the blog.  Try to show all aspects of my personality, instead of just letting a few aspects dominate the blog.  So I'm going to be reaching toward that on The Zombie Housewife as well.  I want to be able to open up more on here, but I'm pretty shy in general, so it's been a bit hard for me, but no more of that!  

I was going to announce something that I'm starting here, but now I think that I will make another short post about it after this.  There will also be a section on my Nav Bar for it as well.  I've just gotta get some things finished up, and it will be up today!  I hope you will all play along with me, that would make it so much more fun!

I hope you all had an amazing Holiday and had a great New Years Eve and New Years Day!!

Did you make any New Years Resolutions or Goals for 2011, if you did I wanna know what they are.  Perhaps we can hold each other accountable in this New Year!

Just a heads up....

I'm going to try to change my design before I start my Etsy Event for Jagger's Birthday.  That gives me roughly 4 days, counting today, to get it done.  

I really like my design, and I really like my chick on my header, but I'm really bored with it..  

I got that chick from the Good House Keeping online archives.  She came from one of the 1953 short stories that were published.  So I may keep her, but I may not.  Who knows?

I haven't even decided what I want yet, so expect it to look different at some point very soon.

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1.03.01

Oh my Blog, how I have been neglecting you!

I haven't posted in a while, so I figured I should at least post something tonight.  I've been really busy doing designs and all that for other blogs to post on my own.  So far I only have one completed, my girl Ange over at Names Will Not Be Changed to Protect the Innocent, and I have 3 others that are half way done and two that are about a quarter of the way done.  I decided to start a blog design business and have been doing some free designs to complete my portfolio, and have some that I'm doing at a discounted rate.  So I'm probably going to be busy for a little while still yet.

I'm going to be announcing the winner of my Charlies Soap giveaway tomorrow, and putting up a giveaway for a pimp ass curling iron I just got in.  Seriously, it's the best styling tool I've ever used, and I love it.  I love it so much I'm thinking of giving her a name.  I've contemplated naming her Thelma and then naming my flat iron I got a while back Louise.  Justin, of course, thinks I'm insane.

I would do all the giveaway stuff tonight, but I'm about to pass out.  My baby started preschool on Tuesday, and the routine and the crying I've been doing have taken a lot out of me.

Be on the look out tomorrow for an amazing new giveaway and the announcing of my winner!

I'm starting something new! & announcing the eUndies Winner!

If you haven't noticed by now then you're probably half blind, but I'm participating in the Coach Project Poppy.  Mostly because I think those little flowers to the left are cute, but either way I'm still participating.  So I would greatly appreciate it if you would click on it and tweet to plant a poppy, or you could just tweet this:


Grow, Poppy! Grow! #CoachPoppy #LoveCommaAshlee www.coach.com/poppyproject

If you do it would make me so freakin happy that I might actually do a booty happy dance! You can also enter my Charlie's Soap Giveaway by sending out that tweet, you gain 2 entries per tweet, and you can tweet that out to your hearts content!  So yeah, onto other things...

I'm Changing My Name!

Well, I'm not changing my real name, but I am changing my blog name.  I've thought about it a lot, and while I do like the name Love comma Ashlee, I wanted to have something a little more descriptive of my life, my blog and who I am!  So I went back to my second choice for a blog title and was all set to go with that name.  Then I thought of something that I like even better, one could even say that I love it!

The Zombie Housewife

I decided upon this because I think it fits me.  I am, for sure, not your typical homemaking stay at home mommy.  I feel like the name fits who I am perfectly, and will fit my blog well also.  I'm currently working on the layout for this name and will make the switch later tonight or Monday.  You can preview the layout here.  My URL will be staying the same so that it won't inconvenience any of my readers or followers, but I will be getting a .com to go with my new title shortly, and I will be making the switch! 

New Layout...

I messed around with my layout tonight because I couldn't sleep.  I'm not sure if I like this or not.  I just don't know if it looks right to me, since I have OCD about organization and I just feel like things (just my things, not other peoples things, how weird is that?) should look a certain way.  I like it cause I think it's cute, it's the organization of the sidebars that is driving me bonkers at this point.  I'm trying to feng shui my blog, Ashlee style, but it doesn't seem to be workin' for me.  Maybe I'll figure it out in the morning, I might just need a while to get used to it. 

Any thoughts?

Just an update!

I've been a bit neglectful of my blog recently.  I don't intend to be, but I've been really sick and then everything else just seems like it has went to hell as well.  I am getting better now, finally! 

On Thursday we found out that there was a leak in the play room here.  The floor is now rotten and has to be replaced.  Which of course means that we have to put down new carpet or flooring as well.  Great!  My husband was preparing to take the carpet up and inspect the damage when we pulled up the corner of the carpet and discovered that there is black mold under there.  My husband is allergic to mold and has asthma.  So we have to hire someone else to deal with that. 

Hiring someone to take care of the mold and the new floor normally wouldn't be a problem, but on Friday when he went in to work he got his paycheck and there was a letter in it saying that they were terminating his employment.  So yeah, he got fired.  Which puts us in a horrid situation because we need all this work done.  There is also another problem.  Since having Jagger last October the Playroom has been used as storage for the massive amount of baby clothes and things we have for him. All of his clothes have ruined.  Completely ruined.  So now after he grows out of his current size he has absolutely no clothing and we have to buy new.  Which wouldn't normally be a problem either.  Except that my husband has lost his job and we live in a very small southern town, and it's hard to find work here.  Jagger is already starting to need some size 6-9 months things, so it probably won't be much longer until he outgrows all of his 3-6 months clothing.  He's just started to catch up, since he was born early and was just a little over 5 pounds at birth. 

So now we have to find a way to basically renovate the play room, buy the materials, buy new carpeting or hardwood and buy Jagger all new clothing as well.  I've been down about this and have taken a few days to just soak it all up and take it in.  I haven't figured out how we're going to be able to do all of this yet though.  I don't work so we were dependent on the income that Justin gets totally.  Now that it has been taken away without warning I have no clue what we are going to do.  He already has applications in everywhere because he went and applied all day Friday and all day Monday.  There are a few places that are thinking about hiring but no where that is currently hiring.  It's just been a trying time for us.  We're trying to stay positive, but it's really hard sometimes with the weight of all of this on our shoulders.  We have each other, our health and our beautiful baby boys though, so that is definitely a good thing.  If you pray then please keep our family in your prayers if you don't mind!

I have several amazing giveaways coming up for you all!  Including an awesome flat iron, a onesie or outfit of your choice from an great online store and several other great prizes as well.  I will be announcing the Sweet Dream Candle winner tonight after my children go to bed.

I & Follow me back Tuesday and awards

I love Jana, she's amazing, witty, amusing, witty and she runs a freaking uh-mae-zing blog, it doesn't hurt that she quite possibly the only person who has more "stripper shoes" and stilettos than I do and will discuss completely misogynistic rap songs with me, but I digress..wait, where was I? Oh yeah, I love Jana which means that I love Follow Me Back Tuesday and in turn that means that I think you should check it out. It's my favorite, fo sho!

I've got some awards that need passing on, since I'm a procrastinator I haven't done this yet. Why? I haven't the slightest, but I do love them. They appeal to my slightly narcissistic nature and allow me to say "Why yes, I am awesome, aren't I" while my 3 year old rolls his eyes and my husband laughs at me. I'm just glad Kanye isn't around to jump on stage and try to steal my thunder. Not that there's really all that much thunder to steal from around here, but still he's probably the biggest attention whore since Courtney Love. I have a feeling that he's the kinda' guy that would rip the "My kid is an honor roll student" sticker right off the back of a mini-van if there were enough paparazzi around for it to cause a scene and a bit of media buzz. There I go getting off subject again!

I have two awards to say my thank yous for and pass on, and I truly am freakishly excited to have received them! They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and I definitely appreciate them very much!

The first I got from Mama Hen over at Mama's Little Chick, she's a doll and I totally love her.  Thank you so much for giving me this award! (= I like reading her blog because she is an amazing writer and she's got this way of making me all emotional!  She has the most adorable baby girl as well, Little Chick is such a cutie...oh and I'm still trying to figure out who her rockstar, grammy winning ex-boyfriend is!

I will be passing on the One Lovely Blogger Award to Jana from Boobies, Babies & a Blog,  Ashley from L.A. Birdies Laugh @ Life, Tiffany from Stilettos and a Stroller x 3, Lindsey from Total Lindsanity, Michelle from Mommy Loves Stilettos, Karine from Life of a Slightly Crunchy SAHM of Drama Queens,  Danielle from Getting Kinda Crunchy and last but not least Jessica from Piece of Me!

A great friend of mine who writes Stilettos and a Stroller x 3, Tiffany, gave me this award!  She's one of my very best friends in the world, I love her to death.  I'm pretty sure my son is going to marry one of her daughters because they talk on the phone all the time and it's just about the cutest thing ever.  Thank you so much Tiff, you're the best friend anyone could ask for!

I will be passing on the Trendy Blogger Award to basically the same people from before, Jana from Boobies, Babies & a Blog,  Ashley from L.A. Birdies Laugh @ Life, Lindsey from Total Lindsanity, Michelle from Mommy Loves Stilettos, Karine from Life of a Slightly Crunchy SAHM of Drama Queens,  Danielle from Getting Kinda Crunchy , Jessica from Piece of Me and The Alternative Housewife from, yep...you guessed it, Alternative Housewife!

The New Look

As you can see I have been working on my blog for a while today. I have a new layout and a navigation bar. I am working on getting the page content for the links on the navigation bar finished. I will be getting a new button and header tonight as well. I've also got a new post signature! I'm really pleased with the way things are looking so far! I think it looks a lot more clean and organized. (= I've been working out kinks off and on all day, and it's been a bit frustrating as this is the first time I have never done anything like this.

So, what do you think of the new look? I hope you like it!

Review and Giveaway News

I've gotten a pretty awesome opportunity to review for a company that I've been aware of for a while now. I love their products, and am looking forward to reviewing for them very much! My Baby Love, Aiden, and I are both very excited about getting our product in from their company.

I plan to write my review around the 18th of this month. So check back then to read the review for their gorgeous Organic Sleepy Bear, the first stuffed toy that helps promote baby wearing! Baby wearing is something that is very near and dear to my heart being the crunchy, green AP Mama that I am! I am psyched that this adorable stuffed Organic and Eco-Friendly toy is on the market. You're going to love it, and I'm sure we're going to love it as well! I am also lucky enough to be able to run a giveaway, letting another lucky Mama get this adorable Organic Baby Wearing Bear for her adorable baby love as well!

If you would like to check out this site in advance you can do so by clicking here! Be sure to check back around May the 18th to read my review and enter to win one of your own in the giveaway!