30 in 30 Plus a Few More

I have this magnet on my fridge - It says it all!

To my throngs of readers - I thank you. Today finishes the 30 Posts in 30 Days challenge. My content my not have been prize material, but it came from the heart. Some might have been funny, and some a little sad. I threw in a little "history" and some "current events". A few pictures, and a lot of love.

For those who left comments - I thank you. For those who didn't - I hope you will someday soon.

Can I continue "A POST A DAY"? I don't know, but I'm going to try. I find it to be very inexpensive therapy - AND - I think that I have benefited greatly by making new friends! I truly believe that I have found a place where I can express myself without hesitation, knowing that those who "follow me" do so without any preconcieved notions about who I am or what I'm all about. They just drop by to see what's up, and then leave a nice sentence or two, making me feel as though I've had a pat on the back, and that people really do care!

Thank You

Goofy Grand Children

These are some of my goofy grand children! I REALLY miss them, especially at this time of year! I am so grateful that my dear friends, Susan and Bob, took these photos the last time that our very large ( now 10 kids, 13 grandkids, 2 step-grand kids, 2 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, grandparents ) were all together for Christmas! These pictures are so very precious to me.

Would they look straight ahead and smile? NO





Would they keep their hands to themselves? NO





Would they just - for once - listen? NOOOO

Would I have it any other way? - No! Well...

... Maybe just for a couple of seconds!

New Site - Give Away

Bloggy Friends - I just came across a site that's new to me. Some of you might enjoy a browse around AND she has a great give away going on. Check out her site and then run on over to your nearest Hallmark store to check out her "line"

http://jeannewinters.blogspot.com/2008/11/major-giveaway-gratuitous-plug.html

Martha Stewart - I'm NOT

This little plaque hangs in the entrance to my house. I'm not saying that I'm a slob, or that I have no creativity - but I could NEVER be Martha Stewart.

I was cleaning out my big recipe folder - in preparation of the Cookie Swap, and came across this and thought you might enjoy it!

Martha Stewart's letter to Erma Bombeck:

Hi Erma,

This perfectly delightful note, is being sent on paper that I made myself, to tell you what I have been up to recently. Since if snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand painted it in gold leaf. I then got out my loom, and wove a blanket in peaches and mauves. Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse, to pull it, from DNA that I had just sitting around in my craft room. By then it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the tables and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand. Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays - so I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling. Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get at almost any Hungarian craft store.

Well, I must run. I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast. I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making momentarily. Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long, I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves, before my speaking engagement at noon.

It's a good thing.

Love,

Martha Stewart

PS When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8 -inch gold gauze. I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked, and crushed last week just for the fun of it.

Here is Erma's (may she rest in peace) reply:

Dear Martha,

I'm writing this on the back of an old shopping list, pay no attention to the coffee and jelly stains. I'm 20 minutes late getting my daughter up for school, packing a lunch with one hand, and on the phone with the dog pound...seems old Ruff needs bailing out again. Burnt my arm on the curling iron when I was trying to make those cute curly fries - how DO they make those things? Still can't find the scissors to cut out some snowflakes,tried using an old disposable razor, but only succeeded in trashing the tablecloth. Tried that cranberry thing I saw on your show (frozen cranberries mushed up after defrosting them in the microwave), but left them in too long and burned them. Oh, and don't use Fruity Pebbles as a substitute in that Rice Krispie snowball recipe, unless you happen to like a disgusting shade that resembles puke! Oops the smoke alarm is going off again. Talk to ya later.

Love,

Erma

Yup - I'll NEVER be Martha Stewart, but I think that I must be related to Erma.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As we gather together to ask the Lord's blessings...

...let us remember those who won't be surrounded by their loved ones this Thanksgiving Day.

May the Lord watch over and protect, all those serving in the armed forces, protecting our nation, and those who are not as fortunate as we are.

Please take a moment today to go Here and watch a short slide show honoring the men and women in service to our country.

Love and Blessings to you all.

A New Turkey recipe.

Here is a new way to prepare your Thanksgiving Turkey.

1. Cut out aluminum foil in desired shapes

.2. Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan, position the foil carefully.
3. Roast according to your own recipe and serve.

4. Watch your guests' faces...

May your stuffing be tasty, and your turkey be plump.

May your potatoes and gravy have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious, and your pies take the prize.

And May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs!

PLEASE STOP BY TOMORROW FOR A THANKSGIVING SALUTE TO THE TROOPS.

I PROMISE THAT IT WILL BE WORTH YOUR TIME!

If You Sometimes Feel Stupid...

Okay - if these two are laughing, you know this has to be funny.

The following was sent to me some time ago. I opened it up while visiting with one of my daughters. The two of us laughed so hard - we had tears running down our faces.

Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!

So You Think You're Stupid?

Question: If you could live forever, would you, and why?

Answer:"I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever." - Miss Alabama, in the 1994 Miss USA pageant

Quotes:

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean ... I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." - Mariah Carey

"Smoking kills. If you are killed, you've lost a very important part of your life" - Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign.

"That low-down scoundrel deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I'm just the one to do it." - A congressional candidate in Texas

"Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country." - Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, D.C.

"China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese." - Charles de Gaull

"We're going to turn this team around 360 degrees." - Jason Kidd, upon his drafting to the Dallas Mavericks

Courtesy of Former U.S. Vice-President Dan Quayle:

"What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is." - at a fund-raising event for the United Negro College Fund. (He was attempting to quote the UNCF tagline: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste.")

And more of his Pearls of Wisdom:

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."
"I have made good judgements in the past. I have made good judgements in the future."
"The global importance of the Middle East is that it keeps the Far East and the Near East from encroaching on each other."
"It is wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago."
"I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people."
"Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts."
"For NASA, space is still a high priority."
"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."
"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice-president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'."
"The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century."
"We're going to have the best educated American people in the world."
"People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history."
"I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix."
"It isn't pollution that is harming the environment, it is the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
"I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy. But that could change."
"Hawaii has always been a very pivotal role in the Pacific. It is in the Pacific. It is a part of the United States that is an island that is right here."
"Let me tell you something. As we were walking around in the store, Marilyn and I were just really impressed by all the novelties and the different types of little things that you could get for Christmas. And all the people that would help you, they were dressed up in things that said `I believe in Santa Claus'. And the only thing that I could think is that I believe in George Bush."
"I was known as the chief grave robber of my state."
"I've heard people say that [I have a short attention span]. I don't feel I do, because when I'm interested in something I'll stay in focus as long as it is necessary... If you get off on something I'm not very interested in, it's very easy for me to block it out. It's easy for me to block things out."
"The [Democrats] talked about putting people first. Well, they put people first unless you happen to be a spotted owl or a giant garter snake or some other endangered species and then that seems to have priority. Obviously, you take the bald eagle and things of that sort, of course you're going to make sure that they are saved and that they can live and you're going to take every precaution that you can. But others -- we just need a little flexibility."
"My friends, no matter how rough the road may be, we can and we will never, never surrender to what is right."
"Unfortunately, the people of Louisiana are not racists."
"If you give a person a fish, they'll fish for a day. But if you train a person to fish, they'll fish for a lifetime."

ACTUAL ANSWERS GIVEN BY CONTESTANTS ON THE GAME SHOW 'FAMILY FEUD:

'Name something a blind person might use - A sword

Name a song with moon in the title - Blue suede moon

Name a dangerous race - The Arabs

Name something red - My cardigan

A number you have to memorize - 7

Something you put on walls - Roofs

Something in the garden that's green - Shed

Something that flies that doesn't have an engine - A bicycle with wings

Something you might be allergic to - Skiing

Name a famous bridge - The bridge over troubled waters

Something a cat does - Goes to the toilet

Something you do in the bathroom - Decorate

A sign of the zodiac - April

Something with a hole in it - Window

A non living object with legs - Plant A domestic animal - Leopard

A part of the body beginning with 'N' - Knee

Month in which pregnancy begins to show - November

OKAY - You don't feel so stupid now, do you? Got any "dumb stories to add? Just leave 'em in comments. The more we have to laugh about, they better we feel!

Another Trigiani Novel

I just finished reading Lucia, Lucia, by Adriana Trigiani. I really enjoyed it, once I got into it, which took me a while. I think that this was because, I was wanting more of Big Stone Gap. I've fallen so in love with the Ave Maria, Iva Lou, Fleeta, Jack, Etta and Theodore, that I didn't want to let go, and enjoy a new set of characters - BUT - I'm glad that I finally did. Lucia, Lucia is set in the 50's. It's about the only daughter (and youngest child) of a large Italian family living in NY.

When Trigiani writes about Lucia's love of sewing, I can feel her needle in my hands, with the fabric between my fingers.

There is always such love, in the families that Trigiani writes about. Reading them makes me feel "all warm inside"...almost wishing that I could have grown up in a big, loud, Italian household.

This book is filled with such vivid writing that I can "see" the surroundings in my mind, and feel Lucia's happiness , disappointment, and deep sorrow.

If you haven't, yet, picked up one of Adriana Trigiani's books, you are missing out on a great read. I can't wait to get my hands on Rococo and The Queen of the Big Time. I'm also pretty darn sure, that Cooking with My sisters, is going to end up in my pantry!

Oh My Aching Back

Not writing much today. I wrecked my back yesterday. Don't know how I did it, but now it's killing me. I have a son and daughter-in-law arriving later (to spend the week with us - yeah), so I'll have to get one of the boys to help me clean the guest room.

No church for me today. I don't think that it would be proper to show up in my night gown, and I don't think that I can raise my arms up high enough to change clothes.

Soooooooooo, I'm going back to bed - Ice pack on my back and a heating pad on my feet. Flexeril, Ibuprofin and some hot herbal tea. Maybe I'll be able to move in a few hours - SLOWLY move. I think that a visit with the chiropractor is in the very near future.

Have a Blessed Sunday

The Year 1908

THE YEAR 1908

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine! The year is 1908. One hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1908 :

The average life expectancy was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower

The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '

Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used
Borax or egg yolks for shampoo. ONCE A MONTH???

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country
for any reason.

Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
I WONDER HOW MANY NOW?

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.' (

Eighteen percent of households had at least
one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !

Now I copy and pasted this from an email that someone sent to me. I did not have to re-type
It myself, and then placed it here on my little 'ole blog that Hundred's (yeah, I know, it's probably more like a dozen) will read. They will come from all over the country,
possibly the world, in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100

* Disclaimer: Should any of the above information be incorrect, it's not my fault, as I just copied and pasted in good faith. Please feel free to leave a comment with any corrections that are needed. You can to the research, cause I need to go to Wal*Mart. Alas, my cupboards are bare.*

50 Pairs in 50 Days

One of my "blog friends" shared the 50Pairs in 50 Days challenge. I'm so glad that she did. If you have $5.00 that you can spare - please consider donating to this worthy cause. You will find the "button" to the right. Thanks "GITZ"!

OHH NOOO!!!

For those of you who are stoneware fans...you may want to avert your eyes. A crime has taken place that is sooooooooooo horrific, I can barely write about it. While I was on a recent trip, one of my children decided to help out. There was sweeping, and moping and dusting, and then......







You may need to sit down for this one...





....REALLY...



This kid worked his hiney off....



Okay - steady yourself...I'm gonna show ya...





LOOK DOWN!













Yep - all the "seasoning" got scrubbed off. At least he used a plastic scaper and didn't soak it in soapy water! - I was so touched that he worked to hard. What a sweet boy... BUT...





....From now on, I'm locking the kitchen cabinets when I go out of town!

Simple Mom Giveaway

This is just one of the several reusable bags that Simple Mom is giving away. The contest ends on November 22nd.

To enter click here.

Thanks Simple Mom!

KIDS in the WHITEHOUSE

I read an article in the paper, the other day, about some of the kid's who have lived in the White House. I was shocked. I laughed. I said a silent prayer giving thanks that I have not had to raise my children in the "public eye"!

According to Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post, there have been some wild times in the "First Families" house.

Tad Lincoln (son of Honest Abe) would "bomb" the door of the Cabinet room with his toy cannon, while dressed in a miniature Union uniform. On one occasion, while his mommy was giving a tour, he came sailing through the East Room being pulled by two goats tied to a chair.

Quentin Roosevelt (youngest of Theodore's 6 little darlings) preferred roller skating, to walking, the halls of the house. He also ran a toy wagon through a full size portrait of former first lady, Lucy Webb Hayes. Priceless - the painting, not the incident. Quentin also sneaked a pony up in a elevator, to cheer up his brother, Archie, who was sick at the time.

Alice Roosevelt was a "corker". She was seventeen when daddy took office, she smoked, played poker, brought a snake with her, when she attended parties. Okay fool me once shame on your, fool me twice shame on me - If she brought a snake to my party she would NEVER get invited back! President Roosevelt made one of the bests statements ever, by a President of the US of A. He said, and I quote " I can be president or I can control Alice, but I can't do both!" I like a man who knows his limitations.

John John Kennedy would hide under his father's desk - even during important business meetings, and Macaroni - Carolyn's pony, roamed freely through the White House grounds.

Susan For drove off in her car (when a teenager) ditching her secret service detail. Amy Carter played in a tree house, and Chelsea Clinton got cooking lessons from the head chef, before heading off to college.

Geez - my kid's were a handful - but luckily we never had any goats! And to think that I used to get embarrassed, when my little angel's picked their noses in public.

What embarrassing things have your kids done in public? You know you want to tell me - and we all want to hear!

SCHOOL & SPORTS

This seems to be what's most important to my son - and to a lot of the other parents at the school he attendends. In order for the kid's to participate in extracurricular activities they must maintain a 1.5 GPA. That's a D average. I find this appaling. I want my son's education to be the number one priority.

I've been really afraid to ask, where all the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ comes from, that is used to support the basketball team and their activities. My DH says that "it must come from the teams Parent Backers." I certainly hope so, cause if I knew that it came out of my taxes, I'd develop an aneurysm and it would BURST. So far this year, Big J has come home with:

1. A pair of very expensive basketball shoes.
2. A team jacket.
3. Two team "polo" shirts.
4. One long-sleeved, 3 short-sleeved, and two sleeveless, t-shirts.
5. Three pairs of shorts.

My son isn't even on the basketball team as a player. He is a co-manager. Said child has struggled so far this year to maintain the 1.5 GPA needed to keep him eligible for participation in extracurricular activities. His 1oo% in PE each grading period, has kept him afloat. ( In his "favor" I will say, that he has been doing very well in Biology - I think that the group dynamics and open book learning style of his biology (coach) teacher is a good fit for J.) But his other academic classes are, to put it indelicately - in the dumper.

Is it just me that has a problem with this picture? Am I just being an old "stick in the mud", when in comes to my child's education? Tell me people - is there a reason for my concern?

The Great Cookie Swap

Yum Christmas Cookies! If anyone is interested in participating in a cookie swap, Click here for details. Spread the joy - and tell Cindy that I sent you!

DAYDREAMING

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming? I tend to do this a LOT. Do you want to know what I daydream about? If not - you might as well go on about your business. If you do want to know, then by all means, read on.

1. I daydream about being THIN!

2. I daydream about food ( do you wonder if maybe this is why I often daydream about being thin?)

3. I daydream about what I would do if I were RICH!

Now - If I were rich...

...I wouldn't care about having a bunch of fancy cars, diamond jewelry, or expensive clothes and shoes. I don't really care about traveling to exotic places. I don't care about going out to eat, or going to entertainment venues., as I'm happy to stay home and cook simple meals, and read books, and watch TV - BUT...

...I would pay off all of our debt, have money in the bank, and have investments - "safe" investments. (Is there really such a thing?)

I would pay off all of my children's debt - and make sure that they had money in the bank, and "safe" investments.

I would donate to all the charities that truly touch my heart.

I would buy a HUGE house, so that all my children could come and visit at the same time, and they could each have a wing with enough bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate their families.

I would have someone change my sheets every day. It is so wonderful to crawl into a freshly made bed with "just laundered" sheets.

I would have a craft room, the likes of which would impress even Martha Stewart.

I would have dozens of dogs. Pugs, Greyhounds, French Bull dogs, Mutts from the local rescue.

Oooooooh maybe, I would start my own animal rescue...

...If the above isn't enough I would be able to have a private investigator find out where The Pioneer Woman lives. And then I would pay her to be my best friend, so I could stay in The Lodge, and get photography lessons, and eat lots of her yummy food (see daydream #2) and be a contributor to her blog.

Yeah - that's what I would do if I were rich - and my daydreams came true!

What about you? What do you daydream about.

Divorce Humor

Have your kids flown the coop? Want to see them during the holidays - up close and personal? Maybe you might want to give the following a try:


An old man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough."

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any long, "the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."

She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at their father, "you are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single think until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow, Until then, don't do a thing. DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up the phone and turns to his wife and says, "Okay, they're both coming for Thanksgiving and, they're paying their own way."



If you decide to try this, maybe you should call a few days ahead of time. Getting last minute flights can be tricky during the holidays - give the kids a little break!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE

It's hard to believe that my little girl, is all grown up. She's now a woman with 'babes" of her own. In a blink of an eye, she grew from a baby, to a toddler, to a school girl, and now an adult.

Stephanie - Ilove you! I am sooooooooooo proud of who you've become. You are my daughter and my friend. I enjoy your company & the "company you keep". I Hope and Dream and Pray for you, and your children. You deserve the very best. I send you my Birthday Wishes (and Prayer's) for a lifetime filled with, good health, good friends, good fortune, love &...

...A GOOD MAN WHO WILL LOVE, CARE FOR, AND TREASURE YOU, FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY! (Is it too soon for me to start shopping for a Mother-of-the-Bride Dress:-) ?

Take A Look

It's been a long time since I've been able to buy gas this cheap. You better believe that I filled the car up!

Wasting(?) Time

Last night - don't know what got me started doing this - I went HERE and typed in my old address. The house where I lived from birth through 4th grade (I think). It was really neat. A big map popped up with the addresses marked. Next I went up to the upper right side and clinked on the satellite option. and then zoooooooooooomed in tight. Incredible. Then if this wasn't great enough - I switched to the street view option, and was able to see the houses "from the street".( By -the-way, I had youngest son over my shoulder and he was engrossed in the whole thing as much as I was.) Now a little history for ya...


...I grew up on 17 and 1/2 acres with a creek running through it. Now, "my yard" has been developed. This makes me sad, but I was thrilled to be able to show youngest son, the place that was MY HOME. The place where I felt the safest, where I played with no worries, the place where I had cats and dogs and bunnies and a prairie dog named Petunia.

Moving on - At this point I decided that I wanted to find my grandparents house. I needed to call my dad to help on this one. After a lot of frustration (but worth every minute), we found the general area. This one will take more time and research, cause of so much new development.

On to the neighbor hood where I lived when I went to Jr. and Sr. H.S. (for those of you who are whippersnappers - Jr. H.S. is what you call Middle School). We were able to see the house that I lived in - the neighbors houses, and the houses that weren't there when I was. We found the schools - they have grown so much, and I can't believe that they looked anywhere near as nice when I was a student.

Youngest son was going nuts - he kept saying "Wow - this is so aweeeeeeeeeeeeesome. This is the coolest thing ever! Let's see if we can find the house we live in now?" (Said son was also jumping up and down and spinning around. I'm thinking "gee he really is excited" - but then I realized that he needed to pee.) After the pit stop...

...we did find our house - sort of. When you Google our address it can't be found. Our subdivision is too new, and hasn't been added yet - BUT - we were able to "drive" down another street to the entrance of our little gated community. Then panning to the left - there was our street. We could just see the roof of our house. Maybe in a few years we will be added, and then we can zoom onto our roof, and then head to the street view. It will be fun. We will be able to see how much the plants in the front yard have grown, and how the grass has filled in. Maybe our sad little Crepe Myrtle will have filled out some.

Time spent - about 2 hours.
Conversation with dad - wonderful.
Impressing youngest son - priceless!


Have a wonderful Saturday.

Yes - Another Giveaway!

This is a skin care package. You have until Wednesday the 19th to enter. Click Here to get to LeeLou, and scroll down to the New Featured Sponsers & a Giveaway post for details.

Giveaway Alert

Simple Mom has another giveaway - you have till Sunday night to enter.



http://simplemom.net/photobooks/#comment-11779



This is for a free photobook of your choice (see details at above site), from Inkubook.

Be sure to read her entire post, cause there is something you can use TODAY!



Thanks Simple Mom!

Funny Friday

Yesterday's musing was "so low" that I decided to post something totally silly. An "old friend" emailed this to me yesterday:



Three Ladies in a Sauna


Three ladies, two younger, and one a senior citizen, were sitting naked in a sauna. Suddenly there was a beeping sound. One of the younger ladies pressed her forearm and...


...the beeping stopped. The other two looked at her questioningly. "That was my pager", she said. " I have a microchip in my arm."


A few minutes later, a phone rang. The second young lady lifted her palm to her ear...


...and when she was finished with her conversation she explained, "that was my mobile phone. I have a microchip in my hand."


The older of the three ladies felt very low-tech. Not one who liked to be out done, she decided that she had to do something just as impressive. She excused herself, stepped out of the sauna, and went to the bathroom. When she returned, she had a piece of toilet paper hanging from her rear end. The others raised their eyebrows and stared at her. The older lady looked down and said...


...."Well, will you look at that...I'm getting a fax."


Admit it - you laughed!

I MOURN

Today's post, I'm afraid, "is a downer". I kept yesterday's writing "light and bright" - BUT - I just can't do it today. I feel as if I'm in mourning, and, as my friend Becky stated on her blog yesterday....

..."This has got to get better, as I am at the end of my very thin rope, and I weigh a lot."

I mourn for a time when my children were little and I could kiss their boo-boos and make everything all better. A time when I could hold them tight and make them feel safe. A time when I could chase away the monsters that crept in under the cover of night.

But now, they are grown, and some of them have monsters that are so horrific - so dark - so deep into the night....

...I cannot chase them away.

How do you help a child that is so lost, so troubled and filled with doubt and inner pain and turmoil?

Mental illness is a wicked monster of a disease. It's a cancer of the mind and of the heart, that eats away at it's victims identity, and robs them of any sense of "normalcy", of happiness, of feeling safe. It haunts and taunts. At times it rears it's ugly head in broad daylight, you can see it and fight it. You think you've won the battle - BUT - the monster has just crawled away to lick it's wounds. It skulks on the edges of consciousness, tricking you into thinking that it's been slayed.

Mental Illness causes physical pain, confusion, overwhelming sadness fear and panic. In some cases - it becomes so unbearable - it's victims choose death over the suffering.

Mental illness carries with it a stigma, like no other. Even though it's a disease, like diabetes or Parkinson's, many people still hold the beliefs that dealing with it is just a matter of "will power". Oh if this were only true. There are physical causes for chronic and severe mental illness. IT IS NOT JUST IN THEIR HEADS!!! Psychialtrists are MEDICAL DOCTORS. They treat medical problems. With new tecnology, doctors are actually able to see the differences in the brains of it's sufferers

Mental Illness can be treated!!!

There are so many medications available today. But in many cases, long term psycological treatment is needed in conjunction with medication. Unless you are one of the super rich, even if you have good health insurance, the level of care needed is beyond your reach. Most facilities that are "covered" are no more than revolving doors. One, two - or three day stays at the maximum. Long term, "in patient" care can easily start at $1,000 a day and is often much, much more expensive. If you have, let's say... cancer - weeks and months of hospital care are covered. Since "mental illness" is a disease caused by physical conditions and/or severe emotional trauma (the definition of trauma is: 1. a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident. 2. an experience that produces psychological injury or pain), so why oh why - is treatment not covered?

I can hardly bear the pain that some of my children have gone through, and now, during a crisis period for one of them, I would give anything to be able to kiss the boo-boo and make it all better. But all I can do, is love this child, and pray for this child. Love and Pray - Day and Night / Night and Day - Love and Pray.

Have I lost all hope? No - No - No!


If you, my child, are reading this - know that I love you, and that all is not lost. Things can get better!
To my readers...Have you had to deal with severe mental illness with someone you love. A child, a spouse, a parent, a friend? Talk to me. Share with me. After all....Blogging is a type of therapy - no appointment or insurance needed.

George and Beauty?

Yesterday was George's birthday - he is now 9 years old! He didn't like wearing the hat, but I'm the momma so the hat went on, and the picture was taken as quickly as possible.

This little dog means a lot to me. He has been:

A constant companion.
A foot warmer.
A source of entertainment.
A good listener.
My "baby". (Who doesn't require diaper changes, or middle of the night feedings!)

He might drive the rest of the family nuts, but I love him! He's not the sharpest crayon in the box, but who cares. Who can resist that silly little tongue hanging out of his mouth? (Okay, DH can resist. The man just tolerates THE DOG because he loves me, and he knows that George is important to me!) He looks at me with those deep brown eyes (the dog, not the husband - DH has hazel eyes) and I melt. NOTE - DH can make me melt, but this isn't the place or time to talk about "that"!

Pugs often cock their heads to one side when they are being spoken too. It makes you feel as if they are really listening to what you have to say. They are loyal little dogs, who don't have a clue that they are "little". Pugs are often described as A Lot of Dog in a Small Space. They snore (so I can always "blame it on him"), and snort, and shed - but who cares? (Okay, I've established that DH is not enamored with George - or any dogs - but other that this one small fault - the man in pretty wonderful.) Pugs are playful creatures, and as far as George is concerned - everyone he meets is an instant friend.


Now I'm not a doggy breed snob. I have a "Carolina Dog" (well actually, she belongs to George), too. Her name is Gracie. She is the Sweetest dog on the face of the earth. We rescued her through the SPCA, and I love her dearly, but this is George's day. Come April 1st Gracie will be 11. I'll see if I can get a hat on her, and post her picture for you.

Now - on to the beauty part of this post...I read in yesterdays paper, that if you live in Rio de Janeiro and earn less than $250 a month, The Brazilian Society of Esthetic Medicine will give you free Botox injections (and other beauty treatments - like chemical peels, varicose vein treatments, laser hair removal, and acne treatments - oh, I almost forgot -you can also get nutritional counseling;). These injections will be given by "student doctors", but hey - who cares - IT'S ALL FREE. This offer only lasts for 10 days, and started on Monday. I wonder...do you think I could get there in time?

Giveaways

Who likes Free Stuff? - I mean REALLY GOOD FREE STUFF?

Well who wouldn't want to win an Epson Artisan 800 printer?

This is a great printer, and I would LOVE to win it myself, but, because I am just such a great person (and because it gives me another entry) I'm sharing the news with you!!!

I want this printer soooooooooooooooo bad. Why? - because its new, has great easy to use features AND - the memory card for my new camera (oh thank you dear sweet husband for buying it for me and thank you PW http://thepioneerwoman.com/ for featuring ivoryhut on your site.), doesn't fint in my old printer Boo Hoo:(

I think that this is the last day to enter the Epson Artisan 800 printer giveaway from

http://www.simplemom.net/

You will have to scroll down to older posts.

And Check it out:

Here is another Epson Artisan 800 printer giveaway!
http://blissfullydomestic.com/blissful-delights/the-big-epson-artisan-800-giveaway-we-love-epson-and-we-love-you/

I think that you have until Sunday to enter on this one.

Good Luck! - AND Thanks Simple Mom and Blissfully Domestic!

Lot's of Things on My Mind Today

I've got lots of thoughts whirling through my mind today, and wasn't quite sure what to post about. After all, today is my dog George's, birthday - that's newsworthy. AND I'm taking a computer class online - that's amusing. AND there are so many more pictures from Hawaii that I'd like to share - they are beautiful. BUT here's what I finally decided to write about...

...if you have a few minutes today, please go to:

http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate.html

I ask that you read through this 2-part article, before coming to any "conclusions" concerning my thoughts in today's post.

This is an article written by Paul Bishop, a Los Angeles Police Department detective, who is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In his first full paragraph he writes, (and I quote...)

..."The controversy in California regarding Proposition 8 (the proposed amendment to the California constitution defining marriage to be strictly between a man and a woman) built to a frenzy in the days leading up to Tuesday's election and then exploded into anger and violence in the after math of Prop 8's slim passage into law."

As I read through the 2-part article, I went from being astonished, to being angry, to being frightened and horrified, and then finally... to being at peace, knowing that through my membership in the church, I am surrounded by wonderful people, who are filled with compassion and love for those around them - and more importantly have a deep love for and a commitment to, following the teachings of the Savior.

No matter if you are for, or against, Proposition 8 - No matter if you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim (or of any other faith) - No matter of your sexual orientation - I feel certain that "my readers" will agree, that violence and hatred, is not the way to express one's feelings.

I applaud the Catholic Church, in it's efforts to condemn the media for:

1. Highlighting Just the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints regarding Proposition 8.

2. Promoting hatred for "The Church" and it's members, through a malicious video.

Thank you for listening today -I leave you with my Love.

Lots of Blue - On Monday

Here is a picture of my DH jumping off of Macho Rock, on the Island of Oahu. Look at all the different colors of blue in the water - and the two shades of blue on his swimming trunks.

If I could make dreams come true with a snap of my fingers, I would snap them now and make it possible for us to live on the beach in Hawaii. My husband LOVES Hawaii. He loves the ocean, and the mountains. He loves the laid back "feeling". He loves "shave ice" from Matsumotos and "Dole Whip" from the Dole Plantation. He loves pancakes at the Hukilau Cafe. He loves relaxing in a hammock - gently swaying in the breeze. He loves that his allergies disappear when he steps off the plane onto Hawaiian soil!

Me - I would have to make my allergies disappear too - I think that I am allergic to the entire island. I must be the only person in the world, who goes to Hawaii and has a major allergy attack. My eyes swell up and itch like crazy. My nose clogs up, and I can't breath worth a hoot. BUT - if it meant making DH happy - I'll still snap those fingers (but I'll make sure to bring plenty of tissues and eye-drops)!

Sunset over the Rockies

Here is a photo I took last Sunday evening. Sonnie and I were heading back to Colorado from Wyoming, and I had to grab my camera! The sunset was breathtaking. Since we couldn't pull over - this picture was taken going 70 on the interstate - not bad if you ask me! I had a wonderful time visiting with "my girls" and 5 of the grandchildren. Hope to go back, with Steve, in February. Sariah-Lynn suggested a "weekend in a cabin in the mountains" get-away. Dave - start looking for a good deal!!! Scroll down for several of my favorite pictures from the last week!

Sarah and The Kids

Sonnie and Avery - Just Chill'n Out

Perfect 10 Smiles - Peyton and Sariah-Lynn

Avery the Little Diva

I'm Home

That's it - I'm home.

Tomorrow I will try to post some pictures from my trip out west. I love to visit with my girls, but I'm glad to be home. Can't wait to soak in my tub and sleep in my bed!

I always appreciate my home so much more after I've been away for a while.

My dogs and my husband seem to be glad that I'm home and I even got a hug from Seth!

Life is good!

Okay - Call Me Sick

Confession Time - I LOVE :


Fairly Odd Parents
Back To The Barnyard
SpongeBob SquarePants

I know, I know, I know...wasting my time watching silly cartoons, but gosh these three ARE FUNNY! Adult humor at it's finest. They are witty - nothing "dirty" - just plain fun. A lot more than I can say for most of "Prime Time TV" these days.

Sit down, prop your feet up, let your hair down (okay Barry - just sit down and prop your feet up) and enjoy an episode or two. Go ahead and laugh out loud. Try to recognize any celebrity voices...

...And then...I dare you...just try...

...to get this out of you head!



"Oooooooooooooooooooh -Who, lives in a pineapple under the sea...?

SpongeBob Squarepants.

Absorbent and yellow and porous is he!

SpongeBob SquarePants.

If nautical nonsense is something you wish!

SpongeBob SquarePants.

Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish!

SpopngeBob SquarePants.

SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBob SquarePants,

SpongeBob SquarePaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaants!"


Sorry - I had to do it!

No More Cartoons

I've had enough - no more cartoon watching for me (for a while anyway).

Thumbs up:

My Friends Tigger and Pooh
Little Einsteins
Handy Manny
Ruby and Max
Dora the Explorer
Go Diego Go
The Backyardigans

Kids over 6 probably won't want to watch any of these, but I just can't take watching any more shows for a while. Maybe sometime in the future, I'll comment on shows geared toward older kids.

For more information on many of the cartoons on the air these days, you may find the following helpful:

http://www.commonsencemedia.com/
http://www.nickjr.com/
http://www.tv.disney.go.com/
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/

I'm off now, to shop at the Desert Bookstore in Denver. It's going to be a balmy 45 today and the sun is shining - Life is good.

Tomorrow - My 3 Faves!

Mighty B - Enough for Me

Mighty B - Is a show about a young girl named Bessie Higgenbottom. Bessie lives by the Honeybee Handbook!. This spoof of the Girl Scouts, has Bessie in uniform at all times. She leads her fellow scouters as if she were a drill Sergeant. Speaking with a lisp, she takes her duties seriously, and has made earning every Honeybee badge, her life's goal.
As with most cartoons - present and past - there is lots of cartoon violence, and adult humor. My two year old grandson wandered in and out of the room through out the 1/2 hour show. He didn't seem to be particularly interested in the show.

I would rather see my young grandchildren watching shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, or Corey in the House, than watching most cartoons. -- I will say that the cartoons from my childhood had just as much "violence" in them, as today's have. They were just more simple minded. Shows, that air now seem to be much more sophisticated, for lack of a better word. Their plots run like a sitcom, with sitcom humor.

On the positive - some of these new shows are so funny for adults, more parents are sitting down and watching TV WITH their children, which is a good thing. Even though I don't feel that cartoon watching in my childhood caused me any lasting emotional problems, I worry about the lasting effects on kids today. In my time, cartoons came on for a few hours on Saturday morning. Now days, there are channels that show cartoons 24/7. This can't be good.

Parent's must weigh the pros and cons, and choose what, and how much, their children watch on TV. Most of my grandchildren have or have had a pretty full diet of TV watching, but they seem to be stable, well-rounded kids. They have good manners, the school aged kids are making good grades, and they all have friends. But, they also have parent's who read to them, play games with them, AND watch TV with them!. I think that's the secret - Yep - spending TIME with your kids.

Tomorrow - I've Had Enough! I'll give you some resources to help you make up your own mind, and a list of my favorite shows for kids. Then on Friday, I'll tell you about my favorite shows for adults. (If my eyes can hold out, and my ears don't fall off.)

Voting and Cartoons

I voted over a week ago. Needed to vote early, as I am out west visiting family. I fear for our Nation, and pray that Heavenly Father will guide those who vote today! My thoughts about this election, would take days to write - So let me just say, that I'm begining to think that voters should be able to pass a competency test before being able to cast their ballot. - Enough said.


Ruby andMax - A sweet, simple little cartoon about a brother and sister rabbit. Ruby, the older sister runs the roost, and Max the little brother, "does his own thing". Here are some things that I wonder about:


1. Why do these two young rabbits live alone?

2. Where are their parents?

3. If Grandmother Rabbit lives down the street, why don't Ruby and Max live with her?

4. How do Ruby and Max support themselves?

5. AND -why does Max only say one word in each episode?


I waste my time thinking about things like this. When my kids were young, I used to be so upset with Sesame Street. The kids could all see Snuffy, but the adults couldn't. Now Snuffy wasn't a figment of the watchers imagination. He was a real character on the show. Didn't this bring about mistrust in the innocent eyes of the kiddies who watched every day?


Am I heading for a nervous breakdown? Have I stepped into the next realm of consciousness? Do I need a cookie. YEAH - that's it. I need sugar.


Tomorrow- The Mighty Bee

30 in 30

I've heard that November is National Blogging Month. Soooooooo, I'm jumping on the 30 posts in 30 days bandwagon. 2 down, 28 to go.

I'm spending time out west with 5 of our grand children, from the ages of 8 months to eight years. To say the least, I've watched enough cartoons to last me for the rest of my life.

Cartoons were strange enough when my kids were little - BUT NOW - whooooooo, they go way beyond weird.

For the next 5 days I'm going to give you my thoughts on some of the cartoons that I have enjoyed (and not so enjoyed) over the last few days.

Yo Gabba Gabba- Low budget animation. Songs like; I Like Bugs, and I Tried It and Now I Like It. By-the-way the lyrics for these two songs are; I like Bugs, and I Tried It and Now I Like It. Yep, same words sung over and over again. Thrown in randomly, throughout the half hour show, are tidbits of wisdom. This mornings episode talked about germs (don't eat dirty food) and how to draw a cat. A chubby lady, in gold spandex, danced around. I don't have a clue what the song she was singing was about, cause I was so totally mesmerized by her jiggling belly fat. The host of this show is a young black man reminescent of Steve Urkel, dressed in a neon "fro", big glasses, and spandex body suit. - Folks, I'm not making this stuff up.

This show gets a thumbs down from me - but it gives me hope that when the time comes, there will be a job oportunity for my Big J!

Tomorrow - Ruby and Max