Ronda's Interview with Dawn!

I was willing to be interviewed and here are the questions! You can visit Ronda here!

1. What is your favorite part of your day and why? The older I get my most favorite part is early morning. I love the quietness of it, the silence, the birds feeding and the sun starting its job of warming us up!

2. As a fellow 50 year old, I am curious... What do you think is the best and worst part of being 50?
For me, the shock of turning 50 was hard. Just hearing yourself say...I'm 50, just dosnt feel right. I do know now what people mean when they say they feel younger inside, that part of me feels the same as when i was 20 or 30...the body part--well you do feel your aches and pains. What i do like about being 50....I know what I want--what I need, I know whats important and what is not. I also understand about picking your battles, some things are just not worth your energy.

3. My Hubby loves being an empty nester but I still struggle with it. How has your life changed since becoming an empty nester? Well honestly, sometimes I feel it hasnt. With 5 kids, 3 grandkids--I feel my household is still to busy. Its very rare I have quiet time and I need it. That is why I have the goal of being able to stay back home full time so that I can carve more time out of the day for me. I think the struggle when I do feel it--is that I just cant believe our kids grew up...and there are many days you wish you could have them small again so that you could do things different or better. We remember all our mistakes as Moms--hopefully the kids dont!

4. We have the ups and downs of having our own business...How do you like or dislike having your own business? I'm just beginning in this little business..so far-no complaints. I dont want to get to big though because i dont want anything to rob me of the joy I am getting from it. I just want to earn a small income and create good things that are good for us ladies-and allow us to pamper ourselves more.

and last but not least...

5. Have you always lived in Wisconsin? And tell me why or why not I should visit there! Yep I've always lived in Wisconsin. I would say I hate it--but at times I dont mind it. The 4 seasons can be absolutely stunning here. We have many beautiful places to visit..the scenery here can be amazing. I think if your ever planning on visiting this area--I would encourage you to visit either Door County, Mincoqua, Wisconsin Dells in the summer, Madison or Milwaukee. Those cities have alot going on culturaly and for things to do. Plus add the lakes and views and its pretty amazing. What I dont like about Wisconsin--I think our business climate does nothing to entice or attempt to keep businesses. Our taxes can be overwhelming and from what i hear its very hard to keep a business going here. So many leave--you would think our governor would figure that out! I also think our winters are about a month to long. By Febuary--end of it-early March--we've all had enough. Perhaps thats why our drinking statistics are so high. We joke about it--but really--it does get so hard to be inside so long.

Thanks for asking me these questions!

If anyone would like me to interview them--Please let me know on here and I'll ask you 5 questions!

Here are the directions:
Here's the directions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Announcing My Giveaway Winner!

I took a yellow piece of old ugly paper--wrote all the names down, pulled one out ANDDDDDD.... (can you hear the drum roll) its SHELLMO!!!! Email me your address and I'll get it out within the next day or two. I hope you enjoy it.

My email-Dawn53094@yahoo.com!

Another Giveaway-Ends tonight!

Go here and sign up! She has an adorable blog--alot of great posts. I love supporting new bloggers as I'm VERY understanding of how exciting it is to gain new followers--regular posters and new online friends. Its not easy promoting yourself--so lets all help each other out. Besides, a giveaway is something we can never pass up!

Check out this giveaway!

Please visit this blog and check out her giveaway.. great stuff, and just in time for Lovers Day.

Her cats are sooo cute and her dream home is already what i live in, I just dont think she knows that yet...but heck either do i!

P.S. I know I"m behind on my giveaway--I'll do it tomorrow--I promise!

Calming Scents-Body Care Products by Dawn!

Here it is-the onset of my new little venture! Body Spritzs begin the show--8 oz of Spritz for $6.50 a bottle! There are 0 chemicals in this--hence no color...but the fragrance is awesome--Essential Oils are used for the Scents!
These next little gems are my Foot Fizzies. These are best used in the foot tubs, 2-3 per foot bath. Fragrances are Spearmint-Peppermint--or Eucalyptus, or a combination of Eucalyptus and Lemon. These sell for $6.00 a container.
My favorite Bath Soaks! Called Bath Bombs-Bath Fizzies...I am calling em Bath Soaks! Why? Because thats exactly the best way to use these. 1 per Soak and its enough. They are made with Sweet Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Epson Salt, Cornstarch, Baking Soda, Citric Acid and a Scent. The Scents I have available now are Sweet Orange, Jasmine (this is DIVINE), Rose, Lavendar, Eucalyptus, Tranquility, and please check for my list of Scents which I will post Below! These sell for $3.50 per Bath Soak
This is also one my favorites! Lip Balms in a neat little carrying packet of a Seashell! How cute is that? These are made with Shea butter, Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Sweet Almond Oil & Beeswax. The scents I have available right now are Spearmint, Vanilla Vanilla, and Sweet Orange. I will be adding to these as we go along. Be good to your lips--Shea Butter is awesome for anti-aging, and moisturizing. Price $3.00
And to end my little show...Bath Salts. These are made with Fine Sea Salts and Essential Oils, Vitamin E and Sweet Almond Oil..just a tad of this. Its mainly used again for Soaking and Relaxing yourself. I however have been using mine for everyday washing and I havent noticed a problem with my skin. These also have Epson Salts in them. You cant beat this for pampering our skin either! These sell for $8.50 an 8 oz jar. The Scents I have in these are Soothing, Sweet Dreams, and Energize. The Essential Oils used for these Scents will be a mixture of Oils to promote Soothing and Healing, Relaxing at the end of the day--Scents to promote a feeling of Creation and Excitement in being alive!

I will be making Massage Oils and those will be available next week--I will add those Scents at that time. My goal is to continue learning and creating products that are good for us--promote Relaxation and Pampering and Self-Love. All my life-I've been on the quest for Serenity and this is a way for me to express that and incorporate into my everyday life. I hope to share this with everyone else who want it--as well as products that are not full of chemicals. Anyone interested in anything just contact me by email--Dawn53094@yahoo.com. For purchases $25.00 and up--I include a Spa Duck--because every woman enjoying a soak needs alittle cutey companion! I will also include some samples of products that dont look well--but have all the right ingrediants--these are just things I've flopped while making!

Attention all my Blog Followers

Unfortunately you may be drawn into my birth family's sick and disturbing harassment. They attempted to comment on my blog and since I blocked them they are now choosing to email the blog list. Please forward all these emails and comments. I will be taking those to our attorney and see what legal charges can be pressed for this harassment. I'm sorry you are being drawn into this and hopefully this will end soon, my wish is that legally they will face some criminal charges. Again, I apologize for anyone being drawn into this!

P.S. I did not forget the drawing, I will do it tomorrow--between all my computer problems and me trying to launch my body care business, I've had no time to breathe!

Did I really hear this?

Last night on TV which I rarely watch...but hey Baldyman was gone and its -40 below zero..anyhow..I'm sittin on the couch with Genie watching Lifetime--(she's farting up a storm) and I see this commercial come on. New Charmin Ultra Soft--the tag line???

Fewer pieces left behind!!!! OMG--did I really hear that??? YEP--I sure did..I started laughing my butt off. I mean picture that...fewer pieces left behind. Who thought of that..and what an EUUUU thought. If you havent seen it yet-I'm sure you will. Soo, the next time your in the Supermarket shopping for necessities, pick up a package of this. After all, it will mean fewer pieces left behind, or fewer pieces left in the behind! EUUUUUUUUUU but LOL!

Dont let it fool ya!

It might look nice out here but its NOT! This is a picture i snapped about 730 this morning. Sun was just peeking out and it looks really nice out.
The temps today on the way to work were -11. Add the wind chills to that-and we are talking close to 40 below zero. All the schools are closed..many businesses to. I made it in and thru the day but i tell ya--its bone chillin. You can only be out for a few minutes and you can feel the pain of the temps. We have one more day of this--tonight is suppossed to be the worst of it. They say by noon tomorrow it should begin to warm up....lucky us we may see 7 or 8! Grab your shorts and sun bonnet and head on over! I'll light up the grill....

A Virus!!!

My computer is NOT right...add that on top of the mess I have from not being able to change the background--lol. I do think I have some sort of virus..but so far its not detecting it. If I'm not around for awhile--its because my computer is on the fritz! Hopefully Baldyman will be able to figure this out tonight--I am pretty good at removing viruses but nothing is getting picked up to remove as of yet.

Just Because

Just because I like this picture. No other reason. Its snowing here today, its below zero--and going to get colder yet. This is how many of Thomas Kinkaid's paintings look and I absolutely love them. I wish the snow was animated in this picture but I dont know how to do that. To me, this is how I would hope my home looks on a cold winter night.

Cutest Blog on the Block?

I've noticed they've had major problems with their site the last several days. They did the design on my blog. I was told I could change the background easy enough on my own. I requested help before I attempted to change it--didnt get much of a response and so I tried on my own...and here i sit with a mess! I've been trying to contact them--no answer. I see their site is still down. If anyone can help me with fixing some of this--please let me know. I lost my signature--my background. I did restore the 3 column template. I cannot get a background on here for the life of me. If i dont get help from them soon--I guess I will be looking for a new blog designer!

Your time?

This topic for Thinking Girl Tuesday is kinda weird, BUT its a biggie with me and I"m just wondering if this is important to other women, or do I swim pretty much alone in this boat.
I grew up in a large family-8 brothers and sisters. I was always surrounded by people, always in a crowd. We had 5 children, again--always a busy hectic household. Thru all this, even when I was a young girl, I valued and craved and NEEDED my quiet time. It never bothered me to be alone. I like it. That is one of the ways I found i restore myself.
My husband is self-employed. In other words, he is home alot. He claims he isnt..but I think he is. 2 years ago he bought a new computer because he said the one I was using was ancient, slow and he was tired of seeing me frustrated with it. So he comes home with this new computer for what he said was my birthday present. Now mind you, Baldyman is kinda like me,,cheap. He dosnt buy expensive gifts for anyone! Well, he would buy expensive for his kids before me--lol.
I should have known there was an ulterior motive--but I didnt pick up on it. So here I am thinking and feeling kinda guilty because he bought me a computer. Anyhow,,,I notice, more and more-HE is on the computer. He slowly and quietly and eventually had all his business stuff transferred onto "my" computer. As of today--its entirely on the computer and he probably uses it more than i do now! AND...he's home alot. Somedays I actually have to call him to see if he's gone because I want to come home, and have some quiet time or hope to have some...AND be able to use "my" computer. Actually, I do that alot! I call him--and I tell you most times--he is at home. Now, I like the fact that he can let Genie out when I cant...but I'm getting awfully frustrated that its almost appearing if he's retired without telling me!
I read so many blogs where I see women will say how much they love their husband--still googly eyes after all these years....Okk I get that...but tell me does your husband actually LEAVE the house for awhile? Do you get to cook alone, bake, listen to your music, enjoy the scents of candles instead of burps and farts???? Now thats a biggie for me...we have 2 bathrooms--one at each end of the house. He will use each bathroom--right after the other--its almost like he starts in one and finishes in the other so that the entire house smells like crap! I'm not kidding--this is what this man does!
I told him yesterday--I dont know how much more i can take and I said it on a serious note-he thinks I'm not. I'm seriously considering buying a container potty and placing it in the basement and making him go down there. It would be worth paying someone to empty it once a month and have my house not smelling like butt all day.

Ok I dont know how I got onto to that topic--but probably because he's home to much. The thought I'm trying to get across is, I miss my ME time, I miss having a quiet home to restore my soul, I miss using my own computer NOT full of business crap that I think slowed it down and he swears its not his stuff but my stuff. Are any of you able to enjoy "me" time each day...or how often, or do you even need it? I cant imagine loving someone so much that you never need a break from them. I tell Baldyman--give me a CHANCE to miss you! I dont know--this is my thinking girl topic for today....I thrive on being alone and having some quiet. I'm just curious on how other women feel or even men. Is it something you value, or need, or could care less about. I'm very curious to find out!

P.S.--I am on the lookout for a small desk for my bedroom window--AND a very inexpensive laptop so that for real I have my own computer!

January Giveaway!

Ok here is my Giveaway for January! There is a Valentines Dish Towel, Serenity Rock, Calming Tea, a Coaster that gives off a scent when your coffee or tea is placed on it, a little Journal, and a bookmark! I will also throw in a Bath Fizzie in Rose Scent and another one of my fizzies for Cold and Flu Season! All you have to do is place a comment on this post! On Friday I will draw a name and ship it out. January can be a "blah" month for all of us so lets get something going to give us a little cheer and break from the wintertime blues! Heres off to a new Week! Comment away!

Last Nights Full Moon!

Did anyone else get a chance to get outside and see how big and bright it was? I thought it was gorgeous. Baldyman went and took these pictures for me so I could post them for those who missed it. It was the biggest and brightest moon of 2009 they say. It was so light out there--you almost could have sat outside and read the paper.

I went to bed and opened our bedroom curtains beacause it was so pretty. I could see the bird feeders from the bed, all the tree branches..I should have taken a picture of that also. Every time there is something going on in our skies, me and Baldyman will usually stay up late or get up in the middle of the night to check things out. We've sat on our deck many a nights watching for shooting stars, planets etc.

Its Sunday, I'm going to spend the day being a homebody, I hope everyone has a great day. This week brings us a deep freeze. It will be interesting to see just how cold we actually get!

How cold is it?

Can anyone guess what this is????? I think this stuff is so funny during this time of year. Me and Baldyman have a hot tub right off of our patio doors. You dont have to walk but maybe 10 steps to get into the tub. At this time of year though--we have alot of ice on our deck so we lay towels down so we dont slip. When we get out of the tub and walk back in the house...most times we're running to get dressed we forget to grab the towel we stepped on. Sooooo, here it is in all its frozen glory! Have you ever seen frozen underwear or frozen shorts? Its the funniest sight..they just freeze in the position you leave em in. Sooo, here is our towel Baldy brought in last night. It had to sit on top of the washer for awhile until it thawed out. Maybe I"ll get brave and do a bra or underwear---lol

Rose Scented Bath Fizzies

Here they are! This is my final product, they include Kaolin Clay, Rose Scented Essential Oil, Epson Salts, Sweet Almond Oil, all kinds of natural ingrediants that are good for our skin. They have a real slight soft Rose fragrance. I'm going to make a bunch more of them for my upcoming presentation at work. My plan is to set up a little body care boutique and see how it goes. I think they look really good. Once you get the feel for it, its easy as heck to make them.

This Valentines Towel is going to be included in my Giveaway. I will be doing a post on that on Monday. Also included in that giveaway will be some samples of my new body stuff.

Its Friday, I dont know what I"m doing this weekend other than making my body stuff and hanging at home. We are heading into a deep freeze, gonna see wind chills of 30-40 below. I"m so not looking forward to that. In fact its scary. Cars dont run right and transporting children in this weather is quite scary to me. I havent quite figured out why in the summer we dont see above normal temperatures that often but yet in winter--we get these darn deep freezes every other week! If your cold like we are--stay warm! If your in a warm climate--Your one lucky duck!

2 Awards and a Possible Name!

Look at this! I have been awarded 2 awards, (that means I didnt have to thief)! I love it....now the embarassing part is, that I saved the awards and didnt jot down who gave em to me....(did i even admit that) but yes folks that is what I did. I'm tellin ya the work week for me is insane. I dont breathe from the minute I walk out this door and my head is truly up my butt. Sooo, I have to go dig and find out who gave these to me so I can thank them.

Okkk now for the 2nd part of my post...I may have a name, I may not, please continue offering your words of suggestion. I thought of a funny tidbit in the wee hours this morning during my bout of insomnia. I'm so bad with names--this will help you realize just how bad I am. When my twins were born, they were girls after 3 boys. I had names picked out kinda in my head,,,Tina and Tara. Well, Elisa came out and she was HUGE! She was over 8lbs which for a twin is very big. She had the fattest face..and I looked at her and said well she dosnt look like a Tina thats for sure. Then Tara comes along and she was sooo tiny to me--6 lbs...my tiniest baby.. I had big babies i'm tellin ya! I thought--yep--Tara is her alright, so she was named. Elisa wasnt named...she was placed in her little bassinet and wheeled away as Baby Demet. She sat that way for 4 days! Neither Baldy or i could think of a name. On the 4th day we were due to go home. Nurses called me and said Look you have to name your daughter before you leave. I said I know but I still dont know what to name her! They ran me up a hospital baby book and I leafed thru it and saw the name Elisa ( we pronounce it Allysa) and i kept saying Elisa, then Elisa Ann...and I knew! I called Baldyman and i said I have a name! He says--what--I told him and he says--Thats it! Your right--so there she was named on the very last day of her hospital day...only because they wouldnt release us with an unamed baby! So there you have it-I couldnt even name my own child. But...here goes..tell me what you think and please leave me more ideas! Calming Scents --Body Care Products by Dawn. Thats what I got so far, I keep trying to stay focused on the calm, serenity thing and the scents thing just because once I learn more I can customize them for what folks are looking for.

Now I gotta go dig up who gave me these awards before they stop blogging with me!

Thoughts for an Acquaintance

I didnt know this person personally, only thru someone close to me. About a year ago, this woman was diagnosed with brain cancer..terminal. She has adult children plus one still at home--and a husband. A husband that made it very obvious he didnt love her. Not only did he not love her--he must have really disliked her, despised her. Thruout the last year of her illness her sisters and extended birth family have taken care of her. They have fought all the battles she needed fought. It was good she had them, she was never left alone to fight her disease. BUT...thru being ill and fighting to try to win this cancer...she had a partner that was so cruel to her. So cruel. I want to know how does one try and fight a deadly battle when your sad, angry, broken hearted? Surely that had to mess with her immune system and her strength. Not only did he not help take care of her,,,he verbally let it be known he didnt want to, didnt want to be around her. He complained when her sisters used pillows in the house to make her more comfortable---Those were HIS pillows. Sorry fellow bloggers, but the only word that comes to my mind right now--is what a useless F!

I was going to post about my business today but I got to thinking about this after reading Tootsies comment...because it triggered in me--when we have spouses that are not treating us well. Now dont misunderstand what I'm trying to say--i know at times all our mates have been morons--I know I have...I'm talking about those of us who would ever have had the very sad experience of maybe spending time in our lives with someone who truly cannot stand us. Thru all Baldymans bad behaviors-I can honestly say--that man would DIE taking care of me or his children--I always knew no matter how badly he behaved, he loved us with all his heart. Anyhow, i heard yesterday this lady was about an hour away from leaving this earth. I called Baldyman and he said--Can you imagine how sad she had to be? She is leaving her knowing--her husband couldnt stand her...she had to have had a really broken heart. I just felt so bad for her...I cannot imagine the depths of sadness she had to feel at times. Thank God she had a small army of loving sisters, neices, children, friends to care for her....that is awesome. But still..her life partner had to to make this last years battle so hard for her. It literally breaks ones heart. I hope she is at peace now and that her family is at peace, because they've had one hell of a year caring for her and loving her. I do know God will take care of the creep--who at one point in his life--committed to loving this woman thru sickness and death....he didnt honor his words to her or God. I cannot imagine ever doing this. For those of us--who have a loving partner--think today on how good you must feel inside knowing if we were to be diagnosed with something fatal--how our partners would make our time here good and loving...and if sadly anyone has a partner that they think wouldnt---think quickly about fastly removing them from your lives. You never know when our time will come...this lady sure had no idea she was going to get diagnosed with a brain cancer that would take her in a year. She was only in her early 50's and living a very full busy life. Life happens that way--my heart is very sad for her today. I just pray she has found love and peace, thru her family and God.

The Blame Game

Todays thoughts are on the Blaming game..I need to take my mind off a name for my body care business before I fall over. You guys got me going though!

Anyhow, I'm sure every one of us knows something that for some "odd" reason always is in a crisis mode. Something is always wrong, there is major drama going on, things are chaotic, AND its NOT ever caused by some poor choice they made or some poor thing they did. Its ALWAYS caused by another. Does that NOT drive you nuts?

I see it in my work almost daily, I grew up in it--I married it. I remember my husbands mother used to say--There's just a black cloud that follows you and Greg around..you poor kids. Well, it took me a few years to figure it out--but there was no black cloud--it was GREG! He made alot of poor choices--bad decisions, lived a lifestyle that wasnt appropiate for a family....now what do you think is going to happen? Do you think our life would be easy--fun, un eventful, full of peace and joy???? NOPE...when you live a chaotic lifestyle, you will be in constant drama--constant anxiety, constant stress. The key to getting out of it--is to learn it really is all about YOU and what your doing. I used to tell Baldyman, I'm using all this energy and life of mine to deal with things that are preventable in life...when unpreventable happens to me--I wont have any energy left. Do you know how scary that was to me? I kept thinking--what if a child of mine gets very ill---dies, or I got sick--or he did? I wouldnt have had the coping skills back then--all my energy went into dealing with his everyday insane decisions. Today at 50, I still see how i lack energy or things that happen---I see myself clam up and pull away.

Now, when I deal with this thru my job or my adult children--or family members I come right out and tell them---If you want things to change--YOU have to be the one who changes. You cannot blame the world--the economy, your spouse, whatever, the change and ending of the blaming game--starts with you! I learned by doing it. I stopped blaming my spouse, his parents--his choices,,I just got up and did what I needed to do--to get the life I needed to live for me and my children. We can blame all we want--but at the end of the day nothing will be different. A lady I work with--not to long ago told me after a court hearing--She wants us in her life--that way she has someone to blame! I was like--WOW--I hadnt thought about that way for this particular client--but she was dead on. This person, takes 0 accountability for anything in her life 0--yet all around her because of decisions she makes or dosnt make--her life is falling apart.

Sometimes I think to try and save someone a few years of their life--you just need to come right out and tell them how it is. Dont beat around the bush--just lay it on the line. It may not change a thing--but thats ok. I feel if you've done your part in sharing with them why things are the way they are--its up to them to learn from that. If they dont want to--then can sit in their boiling pot alone. I'm practicing that more and more in my job--just laying it out there. Dont waste my time trying to convince me its everyone's fault your in this crappy place in life...accept the decisions YOU'VE made or not made and look at yourself first.

If you know someone like this--dont let them waste one more minute of your precious day--lay it on the line--we could all wake up every day and blame someone or something for what happens--but for some of us--we've chosen to take accountability for the quality of life we live, and we step up and make changes when something interferes with that. People wont move forward until they can accept their part in where they are at...so you really are helping them but not letting them play the blame game. Most of us truly want to help---so think of it that way...Go help someone today!

HELPPPPP!!!

I NEED HELP! I"m not the most creative person on this earth---I"m so lost! I've got pretty much everything I need to begin making the body scrubs, spritzs, fizzies, that i want to make..for both men and women! I finally got my containers today. I got the recipes down pat. I've written a couple people to help design my web business....BUTTT and this is a HUGE but....I dont have a name for my little business. I'm at such a loss here. I was going to use Dawnie's Delish and i love that name but its more for food..not body care.

If i leave a few ideas here on what I want to focus on--I'm hoping someone will be able to drop a few ideas for me. Here is my main focus--peace, serenity, calm, self care, personalized scents..etc. I want for us to be able to feel pampered, rested, gentle smelling, and best of all--all natural! I've seen so many names like Serenity--so I dont want that--but anyhow--hopefully you get the idea.

HELP!!!

Welcome my cousin Rose to blogging!

Help me welcome my cousin Rose to the world of blogging! I help set her up last night when she was visiting us over the weekend. She lives about 2 hours away from me. You can visit her HERE and hopefully she will find the enjoyment we all have from our blogging buddies!

Christmas Decorations are DOWN!

I felt really sad putting it all away...house is all cleaned up--no more pretty lights, no more whimsical things to look at and smile. All the pretties tucked away for one more year. Each year i notice it gets harder and harder for me to put it all away. Its almost like as we put things away--we also know we are putting away the extra good moods people are in this time of year, the goodwill thoughts of men, the hope and excitement of everyone...all that gets put away in the boxes also. We find ourselves now thinking about getting thru a couple more months of rough weather, tax season, and the longing for our bodies to feel the warmth of the sun once again. January can be a pretty gloomy month.

I've put out the few Valentines Things I have--but it dosnt help much. I'm going to have to find some ways to give myself some cheer to get thru to Febuary...that month for me is much better. The days are longer--sometimes warmer and we find outselves trudging thru the stores to check out the newest garden gadgets, yard ornaments, deck items...at least we have that to get thru Febuary!

Winter Project

Thomas Kinkaide puzzles, i love em! 1000 piece puzzles, alittle crazy I know but for some reason I find myself doing these each winter. Last winter I completed 3 of them...the very last one, was missing 1 piece. I was so frustrated after all that hard work so I tossed it. The other 2 I'm going to put that permanent glue on and then find a place to put them, I used to make puzzles when our kids were little and put them on their dresser tops. I doubt they would want Thomas Kinkaides though....even though they are quite stunning.
This fall I found myself searching out a perfect table to work on puzzles thruout the colder months. What I was doing was insane, Baldyman had a huge piece of whatever he could find around the house--I placed the puzzle pieces on that and carried it from dining table to underneath something when I needed the table. Now I found this perfect card table that when not holding a puzzle actually looks pretty neat in my office.

Do any of you have anything you like to spend time on in the colder months? Everytime someone comes over I tell em to pull up a chair and help me with this--of course most of them scatter like June bugs just like they do when i ask them to play Scrabble. There are a few though that will get mesmerized like I do...my daughter in law last winter was my house cleaner and one time I came home and found she had spent more time on the puzzle then cleaning!

I dont know if your a puzzle person or not--but if your looking for a past time that will capture your attention and pass these cold days--Walgreens has a nice selection of these puzzles. They come in a series so you can actually have a few of them. When your done, glue them and they do make nice coffee tabletops or dresser tops--or maybe a piece of furniture you have on a sunporch!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I made these tonight and I"m telling ya these are GOOD! I havent had a cookie this good in a LONGGGG TIME! Baldyman and I had a hard time stopping eating them and Genie LOVES cookies right out of the oven and even she was drooling as I pulled them out. If your looking for a little snack, thats pretty easy to make--here ya go!

1 Cup Butter Crisco Shortning
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1/1/2 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Soda
3 Cups Oatmeal

I tossed in some Raisins and some pecans I had laying around. Bake at 350 and Grab yourself an Ice Cold Glass of Milk and Enjoy!

Here's to your Health in 2009!

The infamous Jack Lalanne Juicer! This is one of my Christmas gifts from my 2nd son and his wife. I've wanted a juicer for a LONG time..and cheapie that i am I surely hadnt planned on getting one anytime soon for myself. I had NO idea my kids knew I wanted one. BUT...I guess they do listen to me...because they thought of this. Baldyman and I have been using this daily, and the juice is great. So far, I've had my first (dare I admit this at 50) Mango! I've also purchased my first Pomegrante. I love Pomegrante juice but just buy that--never the fruit. We've mixed these fruits with oranges or grapefruits.

I admit its not the quickest thing to do--and the clean up is somewhat time consuming--BUT when you look at the health benefits you cant beat it. You have to rinse all the parts of the machine with each use. It takes about 4-5 pieces of fruit for 2 cups of fresh juice...so its not economical by any means either. BUT....again...you cant beat the freshness of it or the health part of it. The Machine is pretty easy to use and take apart and put back together..its a process of less than 5 minutes. Most fruits dont have to be seeded which saves time--but I do remove the peelings because the juice is pretty tart if you dont. One thing Ive learned real quick as has the Baldyman--we now search high and low for fresh fruit sales. We change what we add to the oranges or grapefruit depending on the sale.

Hey, its one tiny change for Health,,,its those tiny steps that add up to the bigger steps down the road of life! Anyone going out for New Years---stay safe! See ya in 2009!

Monday, the last of 2008!

This is the last Monday of 2008! I still remember 2000 the most. That was the year everyone thought for sure something was going to happen because it was the beginning of the 2000's. The end of the world was talked about so much I actually got scared of bringing in that year. I cant believe its now been 8 years since that, the time is going by so fast, it truly is like lightning. A speck in time..that is really what our lives are all about. The older I get, like many of you I'm sure, we know what is important, what isnt. We know our priorities and what we want. The key is, can most of us get it? Some have obstacles they cannot control...I mean if your a single person who relies on your self, you have no choice but to sometimes work doing what you dont want to do...you have to keep a roof over your head. Some of us have children still at home that involves are time and resources. Some may have other life circumstances that will always be there, they just have to find a way to fit it all in. For me, my main obstacle is Baldyman is self-employed so insurance is an issue. If I leave my job--that will be something we have to figure out. I've always done what I needed to do--worked around my children, worked when we needed certain things, stayed home when we needed someone there....now at 50, I find myself saying to HIM,,,its your turn, find a way to provide what you and I need so I can finally do something I want to do--its not that I wont earn an income to help--but I dont want to do something I no longer enjoy or that drains the crap out of me. 2009 for me, is going to be about letting go of guilt and allowing myself to experience something that isnt such a robber of joy of my soul.

I dont have the normal goals of losing weight--although I surely need to, I think thats a process, we give up a few things--increase a few things--learn more about healthy eating and I do believe in time that will fix itself. I guess for me I could say--2009 is going to be--ITS ALL ABOUT ME! I want to be the best I can be--but inside..my soul, my spirit. Does that make sense?

Its our last couple of days of 2008, I'll keep sharing what I want to work on, I hope to hear some of yours also. What are your plans for New Years Eve? What are your goals for the year? I think tomorrow's thinking girl topic will be about my job and how I'm feeling about it...about how our life work can either be a gift in our life or a hindrance and how sometimes, our jobs can freeze us. I dont want to be frozen anymore.

Jan Giveaway Sneak Peek!

I'm going to have another giveaway myself! January is the always the month most of us rethink our lives--what do we want to accomplish this year, what do we want to change, what will we do differently, goals etc. Its a month of reflection and actions and even for some--non-actions.

I will tell you my goals--for one--I'm going to begin selling homemade body scrubs, lip balms and bath fizzes. I've been working on learning this for about 3 months now and have a LONG way to go--but I'm discovering how much I'm enjoying this and hopefully it will replace some of my full time income--as I plan to exit my full time job within a year or two. I simply want a piece of my life back...that is my biggest goal this year. I'm going to be a grandmother of 5 this summer and I dont want to miss any of it. I dont want to be tired anymore when I'm asked to help with the kids--or I dont want to be tired of camping and not go--when its one of my LOVES! I'm going to admit something here,,,I dont handle full time work very well,,, I just dont. I find the older I get--I cant balance like i used to. During the work week, I find its pretty much all I can do is work because once I get home, I'm just done. Part of it is the type of work I do, and part of it, is that my love has always been home. Sooo, 2009 is my transition from full time-into hopefully God willing, a part time job and a part time home based business. I have to earn money that is a given, but i plan on doing it differently.

Also, due to my childhood being so traumatic and other things in my adult life--I'm always been on a quest for peace and serenity. If I could describe myself to someone in one word it would be Serenity. Its something I crave and need so desparately. I cant see a picture with the words Serene on it and not want it--I cant see the word on something and NOT want it. Hence the rock in this picture. Sooo...my giveaway is going to be about Calm, Serene, Peace, and I will have gifts that nurture that in the business of our lives. This is a start..Calming Tea, and a Serenity Rock to place where you will see it--to remind you--STOP and embrace the moment, whatever that moment is!

January is a big month, a month of promise and desire! I'm excited for it!

Bird Feeder Deal!

I'm not much of one for After Christmas Sales, I dont like crowds and I'm usually broke or sick of spending money. However,,,yep theres always that however,, at our local Ace Hardware store they had some adorable Christmas things that were way to high priced for me. One was this little guy, a wood carved Santa feeder. He was about 45.00 which for me I just think is to high. Sooo, I went back to the store yesterday and found him at 75% off. That made him mine for $12.13 cents! I put some seed in him last night and placed him on the deck. He's adorable isnt he? I'm thinking of going back to Ace and buying the other two for gifts for next year. Ace has some unusal Decor for outside and inside, but its always such high priced things. I like the different stuff, just not the bigger price. If you have one near you, go check it out.

New Years is next up folks! I cant wait to post about what i want for this New Years--goals for myself and family. I cant wait to hear all of yours. I also plan on having a giveaway again. My theme--is New Years Change or Goals..something around that. Watch for it!

Merry Christmas!

Here is the calm--all the gifts unopened and waiting for their excited owners! Actually this looks like nothing compared to what we had--I had so many gifts I had them all over the house. The kids brought all their stuff over to--so you can imagine with what we buy for them and they for us--its ALOT of gifts to open.
Here we are in the midst of opening and checking things out. My 3rd son got me a Dyson Vacumn Cleaner..unreal. They vacumned up the hallway and parts of my bedroom--it was pretty embarassing what that thing picked up...I vacumn daily--and lets just say I felt like a pig. I will LOVE that thing.
Here are our grandaughters and my daughter's in law. The kids were pretty excited. We bought them all craft type gifts...so they will have plenty of neat things to make over the holiday break.
Here is part of the crew chilling after opening gifts. Everyone is pretty tired out. The excitement sure does get ya dosnt it? We all live very close--so they went home to relax for abit--and then we have dinner at 1!
My oldest son Jason and Ms. Ellie. She's a trip,,,a ton of fun. She went home to put her pretty Christmas dress on,,,let me tell you-she did NOT want to leave. We bought her that Smart Cycle--where you plug it into the TV and pedal to places. She's lovin it.

Christmas was huge for us this year...our kids bought us gifts we had no idea were coming. Not only did I get a Dyson Vacumn, but we got a new skillet, a juicer, a 2 day weekend trip to Sybaris--which is a Romantic Paradise. My girls got me a manciure kit, a trip to the spa, Thomas Kinkaide Calendar which is my favorite and relaxing Cds...gosh--I feel spoiled rotten! Baldyman got me a beautiful necklace--which I will get a picture and post it another day. I cant wait to wear it--its going to shine on New Years Eve dinner. I hope everyone had a great Holiday and found yourselves pampered! For me, this was one of the most pampering Christmas Holidays we have had. Our kids were joking saying--see it paid off this year to have us! Dinner is at 1--Prime Rib and Ham! I cant wait. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tablescape!

Here it is! No fancy flowers this year....in fact this will be the first year in probably well over 20 years I have not purchased fresh flowers. I normally look for Thomas Kinkaide's newest piece. I decided this year--no flowers...BUT get the plate chargers, a pretty silver deer and tree and then just light some candles and thats it!
Since for me the Reason for the Season is Jesus's Birth I wanted this little Nativity Piece to be the focus. I placed the deer and tree off to the side and will have candles around it. I mixed the colors of the plate chargers, red and silver. I found this snowflake sparkly tablecloth at Kohl's marked to a huge discount and decided it was way to pretty to pass up. I like it--I dont think I will miss the fresh flowers. I just decided that spending nearly 60 dollars was just something i no longer wanted to do. I dont have the silverware in place because silly me forgot to get pretty napkins. I'll be on the hunt in the morning for something that matches this. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve with their loved ones. Good companionship--good food and peace and joy! Merry Christmas!

Thinking Girl--Bailout Scams

Sorry to bring us such a dismal and dreary topic...but its heavy on my mind since reading the news yesterday. After the Wall Street Bailout--the news is now reporting that there was no accountability asked for. To me, that means the Banking Industry and other industries....who perhaps invested unwisely, mis-managed, over spent, indulged themselves and others.....were given even MORE of our money to do the same actions. Banks are refusing pompously to even discuss what they did with the money. Some are so self-righteous they even acknowledge they are spending it wrong. They admit there was no accountability. In other words--a free for all..once again.

Its making me sick to even read it, literally sick. Can there be that many "stupid" people in our government to let billions of dollars go, unaccounted for? Is it that easy to ask for help--when the intent all along was to self-serve once again? Well then, I want to know--when the little home owner in America loses his house---and walks out the door for the last time--where does he get his bail-out? When someone loses their job---and walks out the door for the last time--who is standing there to hand him a bail-out check? When a couple who has invested in Wall Street for many many years--and lost it all---who gave them a bail out check at the end?

NO one-thats right. For the average American who has worked--saved, been stolen from--lied to, frauded---there was NO bail out. Many Americans are left homeless, broke, depressed, be wildered due to the inept business practices of Wall Street, Mortgage Corporations--banks..etc. But thats ok--dont worry--NO ONE will be coming to your rescue except your loved ones--that is if they have anything left to help with. This latest crap from the Automotive Industry claiming if they didnt get their bailout--it would affect the little guy....ohhhhh the concern they had. Many will lose their jobs if we have to close our doors...do you really think there was EVER a time they worried about the little guy? NO they did not--never did, never will. They got their bailout money--many will still lose their jobs, they will still close some of their doors. BUT not before the big wigs take their trips--get their bonuses--buy their mistresses a trip to God knows where.

I'm disgusted by the bailouts--I'm even more disgusted that there is "stupid" people all along the line of government that not a single one of them idiots-demanded accountability of that money. I'm disgusted that these bankers can bascially say--Stick it up your butt--we got the money now forget about what we are gonna do with it. If the average american makes a mistake on their tax return--we are hounded, prosecuted, charged fines...harassed,,,,over a teeny amount of money. YET,,,these companies can mismange billions--and nothing is said or done.

What I want to know--is how do we stop this? I know I'm tired of it--I know many of us are--but how do we stop it? How do we force our government to put the people first--to realize we need the help---that accountability comes from all. If your going to give free money away--then by gosh give it to working families who deserve it and would spend it wise. I want to find a way to let our feelings known and be heard. Not just walked over. I dont even know if Obama--realizes. He's talking of a huge Stimulus package--but again I hear of nothing for the little guy.....its all job stimulus--or bailouts for companies...things to so call stimulate the economy and create jobs. Well my thought on that is---What kind of jobs? Take a bunch of Government Workers---create a bullcrap title of Job Creater--pay him a ridiculous salary to sit around and do bascially nothing all day--and at the end of 4 years admit once again--money was mismanaged---jobs were created but only for those who did the mismanagement--but hey we learned from it and now lets do it right.

I"M tired folks--so sick of all the government greed, and lies. On Sunday it was below zero here--with windchills it was in the 20's below. The wind was extreme. We saw about 3 African American Men, working. Well the company will call it working--I call it abuse. There job was to stand outside in this very dangerous weather and hold signs for hours--announcing their store closing. I was appalled by this sight--I wanted to tell these young men go home--its dangerous out here. They were probably doing this for 8 dollars an hour. They needed the money to feed themselves--their family--pay their rent. So they did it. All African American men--I was so disgusted by it--I emailed the company headquarters. I told them if I see it again in this extreme weather--I will take pictures and send it to our news stations and demand accountability. I also suggested they ask the big shots of the company to do this type of job--instead of sitting probably right now on some beach sipping Pina coladas.

The lying, scheming, manipulating has to stop--but again--how do WE stop this?

Yep, I know the feeling!

I'm not kidding this is about how some of us look right now. Its pretty scary when you have to dig out your car just to go to work! Now, its not bad to dig it out to go shopping or do something fun but for work??? Over the years baldyman and I have dug out our car more times than I care to remember. Now, he just does it while I stay inside and wonder whats taking him so long!!! He also has to shovel a path to fill the bird feeders...I can almost hear him swearing under his breath from outside while he's doing this-lol. We have more snow coming and it might not be to long before we literally have to start shoveling the snow off the roof of the house. Roofs can actually collapse from heavy snow. Yep,,,Winter is in full swing here in Wisconsin! Those of you who are sitting in temps above 30---be quiet!

Chocolate n' Cinnamon Cappuccino Mix

Here ya go! A homemade Christmas gift that I made last night and not only was it very easy, it was VERY good. I'm not a coffee fan, I dont drink it, but most people do and we all know what a hit Starbucks and other places are with people. This little mix--you mix all the ingrediants in one bowl, and then place it in the jars. Thats it! This recipe calls for placing the mix in quart size jars but i used half pints, which gave me almost 4 jars. I kept the 4th for the Baldyman. He sampled it last night and it was Delish! All I was missing was the whipped cream to have on top--which Cool Whip now makes its cream ready to spray! If your looking for a pretty inexpensive, last minute gift or just enjoy making a gift homemade--try this! I used Ball Canning jars. I had a harder time locating those than anything else in this recipe! Enjoy!

1-1/2 Cup Sugar
1 C. Powdered Sugar
2/3 Cup Instant Coffee Granules
2/3 C Powdered Coffee Creamer ( i wonder how a flavor would add taste to this!)
1/2 C Unsweetened Cocoa
1T. plus 1 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon

Mix this all in a bowl very well and then place in jar! Tie a pretty ribbon on it and add the Instructions on the jar and your done!

Instructions: Place 1-1/2 T Chocolate Cinnamon Mix into 8 oz boiling water. Mix until dissolved...sprinkle with Cool Whip or Whipped topping and Enjoy!

Buried in Wisconsin

You can kinda get a feel for how much snow is falling if you look at how deep it is on Genie. I hate to impose on her while she's doing her bathroom duties...but I couldnt pass the photo up. She dosnt like this much snow and really had a hard time picking her place to go potty. We probably have about 8 inches so far.
Here are a couple of photos from across the street of our home...its quite windy, cold and snowing very heavy.
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of what's going on here right now....its not pleasant at all. So far, all schools are closed, most businesses. BUT...guess what? So far no malls or stores have closed. Soooo, once this slows down---us Christmas shoppers can get back out there and search for great deals. Thats what we have planned later today once the snow subsides.

Winter Storm Warning!

See all this red, well thats where I live. Right smack in the middle this approaching system. Currently its 5 degrees outside....shall we put on some shorts? Its been so cold this week, my car has been running very strange and everything is just freezing. Add to that, this constant every other day of snowing and its so unpleasant for driving--walking, trying to get out and do errands. This storm is gonna be huge they say...up to a Foot of snow for us. Only about 3 days ago, you could see our deck, everything had melted off. Its now covered again and soon will be probably up to our knees if not higher. I dont mind the snow that much,,,but what does get to ya, is how difficult the driving can be AND how its impossible some days to get out and get errands done. The town we live in basically has no stores, so we have to drive about 30 minutes to do our shopping. NO, I'm not done with Christmas shopping so in the midst of his constant snowing I need to find time to get out. Think of us tonight--this snow system should be arriving sometime between 3 this afternoon and early evening. Whenever they give a time--I notice it arrives several hours earlier. Dawnie will be bundling up tonight!

Christmas Trailer!

Baldyman and I camp alot in the summer. We have a 1952 Pink and Blue Rollahome trailer that while old and funky...we love it. This little trailer christmas house for some reason just reminded me of our trailer. Of course it dosnt look anything like it---but you can tell by looking at the details someone...loved this trailer. Alot of life is in this little trailer house. Thats how I feel about ours. Its one of the oldest trailers in the campground but yet--its very very homey and cute. We put alot of life into it. Each year we do something to it--no matter how small. He wont paint it--he's liking that pink and blue...despite it being an eyesore. At this cold time of year, there are times I really miss camping, sleeping to the sound of crickets and night creatures and thruout the night, checking out the stars on the deck. Nothing is more beautiful than when you can see a million stars because its so dark. I found this little Christmas Trailer House at Lowes. I wanted it but wasnt willing to pay the near $35.00 dollar price tag. I went back last weekend to see if it was still around, and yep it was AND it was now half price. I paid for it brought it home and set it in my office. A gentle reminder of what is coming in a couple months.....Camping!

Thinking Girl --Annie

No thinking girl picture today. BUT..its a thinking girl topic. These are my twins, they are 23. The one on the left is "Annie" her real name is Elisa. The other one is "Tia"....real name Tara. Annie graduated on Saturday--she's a registered nurse. The other graduates in May--she will be an elementary teacher.

Annie moved about 3 hours away 2 years ago to complete her nursing schooling. About 6 months ago she decided she wanted to move out of the place she was living with a roomate and get her own place. She had a decent job--while attending college. She wasnt feeling real safe with the girl she was living with,,mostly because her roomy liked to party and sometimes bring guests home. Annie dosnt do that. She found a really nice place--brand new. She applied and this is when it all started. I should have told her NO back then--but hind sight is 20/20. They told her she needed a Co-signer to rent the apartment because her credit score was only in the 400's. She was confused because her credit score is actually in the 700's. She called us and we told her to tell them to recheck. They continued saying she needed a Co-Signer. I told her to move on and find a different place. She insisted she felt safe in this place and wanted to move in. Sooo..I cosigned for her. NOW the funny part is my credit IS bad...most of you know my story. My credit is only in the high 500's. They passed me but NOT her. Ok...she moves in..is happy. She signed a year lease. Her brother got married in October. She asked her work what she needed to do to take the couple days off to attend his wedding. They told her what to do--she did it all. She came home,,we did the wedding thingy. She goes back to work on Monday--they tell her she's fired due to not informing them of needing the couple days off. She is like--What? I did all you told me to--so what--they fired her. She calls us crying--we just tell her--keep going to school--somehow as a family we will all support her. Okkkk..so thats what we been doing. She gets closer to graduation and begins applying for jobs as an RN. She gets an interview closer to home--goes thru all that--is hired! Okkk..next up is how does she get out of the lease? I suggest to her to ask the company if they maybe have apartments in our area and she transfers. They do--and so they talk to my husband and he is told she can transfer here--she can get a 2 bedroom for less than she was paying up there for a 1 bedroom. All she needs to do is pay the security deposit--and move in. So we figure all is well in her world.

2 days before Graduation she calls us crying--she is told she dosnt have the RN job. They called where she was fired and they told them they fired her. She put them down as a reference thinking because her work was good it would be ok. It didnt occur to her she was fired and even though she is a good worker and did what they told her to do--that it would haunt her. Sooo...she has no job. We continue to tell her--okkk--let it go--keep applying. So she does. She graduates. We move her stuff out of her place and load up. We go to dinner to celebrate her graduating. She calls us at dinner--(she brought the keys back) and she tells us she did a walk thru and the manager proceeds to tell her all the damage she did---scratches on the wall,,,stove not cleaned--a stain on the floor..etc..and that he will be nice and pay half and she pays half--the fee is 15 dollars an hour. She signs the paper and leaves. She gets to dinner and we are like--NOOO way. We moved her in and out and we cleaned that place and there was 0 damage. Soo I told my husband--we have got to get back in that apartment and get pictures and not allow this. We go back to the apartment and my husband asks if he can get back in. The manager says NO..once we do a walk thru its done. My husband says--well then can we at least talk. The manager comes out and says--So whats your complaint? My husband says--what makes you think I'm hear to complain? he says--well it cant be good if your back here. My husband says--well we moved her in and out and there is no damage. The manager proceeds to state how bad the paint was--etc. Then he says--Oh forget it--lets go in I'll show you. So they go in..hubby pulls out the camera and begins taking pictures. The manager says--Ohhh yeah take pictures of all the good stuff, forget the stove--forget the stain. My husband says--Oh show me what your concerns are and I'll take pictures of that to. So he did. I'm tellin you the place is like new. my husband says--there is no way she owes them any money and we will do what we need to do to ensure she gets all her money back.

NOW....that is Saturday night after graduation. We drive 3 hours back home. Sunday we get up--and proceed to move her to her new place about 15 minutes from us. We get there and that manager comes out and tells her what she needs to pay and its 300 dollars MORE than what my husband was told. My husband says What???? We were told she only needs this amount. The manager says--well milwaukee called and said she needs to pay for the remaining time of December. My husband says I was not told that and why would I have moved her when she paid all of Decembers rent? Well that manager called milwaukee and Milwaukke refused to budge..so my husband said--We are done with this company--we are leaving. That manager was very nice and said he felt real bad for her because he felt she shouldnt be paying for that 2 weeks since she already paid for December plus he wanted to rent to her--because she is single professional and he likes those kinds of tenants.

Soo, hubby moved her in with us for now. We dont know at this point if she is still liable for the remaining 6 months on the lease. We do have pictures to fight the security deposit. I'm just disgusted that a hard working, honest, girl--got so screwed over by both this management company and her previous job. She found out at graduation on Saturday that the lady who fired her from the job--was escorted out of work place 2 weeks ago and she was fired. So her Karma already came around. She does have an interview tomorrow with a hospital here in town--and she will tell them upfront about what happened with the job. Job Wise I feel she will be fine.

I dont feel she should have to be liable for the 6 months lease because she did a walk thru and they signed off and she didnt resign a new lease on the other place. Plus they were so unethical in their practices. However,,,I do think she will be liable for the 6 months. It truly truly bothers me at how these companies can do such underhanded practices and NOT have consequences and yet someone does all the right stuff and attempts to do things correctly and they get punished.

I have someone at work that is very knowledgeable in housing and renting laws--so he is helping us. Im willing to help her thru this as much as I can. I'm just very sad for her--she got burned so much in the last 2 months since her brothers wedding. She's a good hard worker--a really good kid. I just hate the unfairness and injustice in our world.

That is my Tuesday thinking post and that is what is going on with our little family right now.

Monday, Monday!

Due to my insanely hectic and very frustrating weekend--I have no picture so here is a picture from our little Halloween party that I have each year for our 3 grandaughters. We were making ornaments at this time and the girls were painting.

I tell you, the Transyberian Orchestra was unreal. It was awesome. I've never seen anything like it and their light shows are beyond fascinating. They played straight for nearly 3 hours. Great ending to a very busy and frustrating weekend. Only complaint we have is the place where the concert was held--was so uncomfortable in seating--we will NEVER go back there. Hubby and I are not tiny by any means--but unless your a size 0...your going to be scrunched up like a little ball--cant move your legs--arms--etc. It was horrid. Time for them to find a new place to show off their amazing skills!

I tell you, I cant wait to write tomorrow. What happenned this weekend to our daughter is beyond disgusting to me. At a time when we see all kinds of good in our world and people--and we embrace the Christmas Spirit---this weekend left me with the wonderment of "Where are the good in our World"...where is the good in mankind? I was so overwhelmed at the final weekend events I just broke down and sobbed. I'm so at my wits end with people trying to take advantage of those who are young or those who are weak,,,,elderly--etc. Anyone who is a praying person--send up alittle prayer for our daughter--that a huge wrong--will be made right.

I will post all the details tomorrow.

Sunday Night Date!

Well, we are back from our daughters Graduation and Moving her. She is now officially an Alumni and Registered Nurse....we loaded up her apartment in about an hour. One nice thing about a larger family---we can get alot done in a very short time. She has job interviews this week, hopefully she will find employment soon and begin her nursing career. We did have one glitch--I will post about that later--lets just say--hubby and I said--ENOUGH--no more will we stand by and allow a wrong--to stay a wrong..Maybe that will be Tuesdays Thinking Girl post!

Anyhow,,today they unload her belongings into a new apartment not to far from us. Tha will be nice, having her close to home again.

Tonight hubby and I have tickets to go see Transyberian Orchestra. We have been wanting to go see them for years. We had no idea the concert was the same weekend we were doing all this--but to late we have the tickets. I guess I need a lesson on Calendars dont I? I'm excited, I Love concerts especially this kind. I'm hoping I am SO in the Christmas mood after this--I float home. Everyone I know said its great. I will let you all know tomorrow!

Squawmama!

You are the winner of my little giveaway! Please email how I get this to you! Dawn53094@yahoo.com!

Baldyman and his Santa Shorts!

Alright everyone, I forgot I had this picture of Baldyman from last Christmas. He probably forgot I have it to! Yep, this is what I'm married to....kinda scary huh? This man can push his stomach out so far it unbelieveable...he's won alot of Fair contests but doing that and the workers assume he's much heavier than he really is. I look at this picture and oh man.....I must really love this man. I wont tell him I put this up yet-I will wait a few days and then show him. Hey, he let me take it so that gives me free rain. My cousin and her partner Jim always find these silly things to wear and last year Baldyman got his first pair of Santa shorts and a Santa cap. He added the socks and shoes and WaLa--another great outfit. I hope this gives you a good chuckle to begin your day. I'll be back later with the winner of my little giveaway!

I'm an Ingrid!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
• * my ability to establish warm connections with people
• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
• * being unique and being seen as unique by others
• * having aesthetic sensibilities
• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people
• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
• * expecting too much from myself and life
• * fearing being abandoned
• * obsessing over resentments
• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
• * are very sensitive
• * feel that they don't fit in
• * believe they are missing something that other people have
• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are
• * support their children's creativity and originality
• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

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