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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Gingerbread Man!

Ok, here is the Gingerbread Man I made....now dont go laughing. I'm not the craftiest person around and I got lots to learn. Thats why he WONT be listed on Ebay or Etsey or wherever else one sells their goodies. He needs work, no doubt about it. I think he's pretty cute for my kitchen window though and that is where his new home is right now. What I dont like is that he's to thick,,,well even that would be ok...but flip him over and WOW--is he a mess. He has cracks--some potholes going on and other things that would make you go YUCK!
You would not believe how many things I missed when I painted him. I missed a button at first, his nose and eyebrows and that ribbon on his neck. Everytime I painted him and it dried I would find something else! I like him for me...but I will keep working on a gingerbread recipe that is easy to work with and dries up nice and hard and dosnt have such an ugly backside. Actually now that I think about it--his backside looks like mine--wrinkly and dimply!

Cookie Recipe and Baldymans Hat!

We're all busy and most of us LOVE those easy recipes that are also very good! Heres one for ya. I call em Surprise Cookies and I tuck inside an M'M. Now I bet no one who knows me even the slightest would have guessed that. You might want to double this recipe because it dosnt even make quite 3 dozen. Heres the ingrediants: 1 cup butter, (unsalted), 2/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla, 2-1/4 cups flour. Heat oven to 350. Roll dough into small balls and tuck inside the middle an M'M, raisin..you get the idea. Bake for about 10 minutes--until you can see the bottom is lightly browned. Let cool and roll in Powdered Sugar. Enjoy! As you notice in the picture--I also had my tea with mine--it was soooo good!
And here is Baldyman and his crazy Penquin Hat he runs around town in. I guess the older he gets, the weirder he gets to. I tried to get him in his Santa Shorts and shirt and my pink shoes he wears all the time--but that was pushing it. If anyone has a Lowes around them--that is where this hat was purchased. My cousin and her partner Jim bought it for Baldyman, they also have Santa ones. Their both adorable hats.