Drink Wine

This came to me via my work email - I'm thinking someone thinks this could be a very difficult season and I will need all the "fortitude" that I can get ....... so I'm thinking wine will be the drink of choice in the office this year.

To all my friends who enjoy a glass of wine ...
And to those who don't.

As Ben Franklin once said: 'In wine, there is wisdom, in beer, there is freedom, in water, there is bacteria'.

Through a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have discovered that if we drink 2 pints of water each day, at the end of the year, we have absorbed more than 2 1/2 pounds of Escherichia coli, (E. Coli) - the bacteria found in feces.

In other words, we are consuming 2 1/2 pounds of poop.

However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol must go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Not to mention that alcohol kills bacteria.

So Remember: Water = Poop, Wine = Health

Therefore, it is better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit.

Economic Stimulus Payment

This is from my girl friend. She thought perhaps we could all laugh at this one.

Important info on the Stimulus Payment

This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?
A. Shut up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.

If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.

If you purchase a computer it will go to India.
If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic).

If you buy a car it will go to Japan.

If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan, and none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America.

You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US.

Its a tri-fecta

And then yesterday - I learned that I had won the pink cats eye swirl earrings at Tracy's Happy DaisyAZ. I really loved those earrings - but truly didn't think I had a snowballs chance in you know where of winning. But I was incorrect, now I was on a roll here. Of course that couldn't translate into a lottery win (only had 1 number in last nights drawing) but that's ok cause this is much more fun

Go check out Tracy's blog - she's got some GREAT stuff that she finds.

happydaisyaz.blogspot.com/2009/01/friday-giveaway-fun.html

Starbucks Gift Card

Then on Monday I found out that I won a $20 gift card to Starbucks! You HAVE to go to win sweet stuff - they have a great giveaway program every week. I can't remember where I actually found the original link - but it was quite a surprise!

winsweetstuff.com

Go check it out - they have a few giveaways each week - I think last week included a Wii. Now wouldn't that be too cool??

Sexy Sweethearts box giveaway.

I won the sexy sweethearts box! It was so cute. I got it last week (sorry I didn't post sooner) while trying to get things finished for the graduation party. I hadn't gotten to open it (actually didn't see it until late since Jenn got the mail) when Jenn decided that I was being much too slow - and wanted to open it. I told her she could WHEN I got in there. It was kinda a cute - her reaction - since moms are NOT suppose to even know what massage oil and massagers are for let alone have one! At least that was the look on her face.

proudmomx2.blogspot.com/2009/01/and-sexy-sweethearts-winner-is.html

Thanks again Sarah.

Quotes of the Day

When I was looking for a good quote for the day - I found a few that I thought were pretty good - and they all revolved around OPPORTUNITY.

Helen Keller:

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Thomas Alva Edison:

Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

Winston Churchill:

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Albert Einstein:

In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.

Smart Shopper Giveaway

This has to be THE newest thing that EVERYONE wants. I know I do. Its called the Smart Shopper and Sandy has a great review and giveaway. I can not tell you how many times I've gone out and "forgotten" something at the store and had to go out again. Or, thought I'd make 1 big trip and get my shopping and errands done all together and find I forgot something. This would make it so much easier to just check off and not forget.

organizewithsandyreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/smart-shopper-review-and-giveaway.html

Go check out Sandy's review and giveaway (and her blogs since they really are great). She has some fantastic reviews - not just for this but for lots of other things as well.

This giveaway goes until February 4th - so don't be dilly dallying since this appears to be THE hot items of this early year.

Quote of the Day

I've got this little "gizmo" at the bottom of the page that gives a quote of the day - and yes I do scroll down and read them most days. Well today is a great one. Sometimes we question why someone loves us. Is it because we are pretty, beautiful, witty, funny, quirky, different or what?

You don't love a woman because she is beautiful,
but she is beautiful because you love her

The word beautiful is interchangeable with all those "questions" above and it still gives you reason to pause. Think about it. Change up the word beautiful for what ever reason you question if or why you are loved ......... and see if it doesn't make sense to you.

Wow miss a few days.........

I'm still trying to catch up here - I didn't disappear. Honest.

The graduation party was great. Even with so many friends and family being sick and calling out, or having another commitment (and not happy to miss this either) we still had a good turn out. I didn't want to compete with Super Bowl Sunday (we did THAT for his baptism 20+ years ago) - so of course it had to be this past Sunday. We ended up with about 20, I think that was what I counted..... I will try to post a few pics later. Jenn was kind enough to click a few (I know not a lot since she was "into" the conversations) and maybe a graduation pic or two (finally got those loaded onto the computer).

But I'm still trying to catch up here - I want to say all my "blogs to follow" have been extremely prolific in the past 4 days. I'm trying to catch up .....

mmm am I getting nostalgic? or pensive?

'I Hope You Dance... '

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.

*The last line says it all. *

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now

I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.

I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.

If you received this, it is because someone cares for you. If you're too busy to take the few minutes that it takes right now to forward this, would it be the first time you didn't do the little thing that would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly won't be the last.

Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care about, just to let them know that you're thinking of them.

"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance

Watch for the "signs"

Enjoy life to the fullest .........

And I don't want to hear the "help I've fallen and can't get up" commercial ..... cause that was the FIRST thing I thought of when I saw this one.

I wish you all happiness ......... just watch out for that wand!

Happy Daisy: Friday Giveaway Fun!

Another great giveaway! An absolutely beautiful handmade pair of earrings - Swirls of Pink. Now the pink beads are almost like a cats eye in pink - really sharp looking - so it isn't JUST pink. Check it out.

But don't be dilly dalleying here either - this goes until January 27th - only till Tuesday - so hurry.

Happy Daisy: Friday Giveaway Fun!

Another 100th post Giveaway!

We have some very prolific bloggers of late. Here is another blogger who is having a giveaway for their 100th Post!

It gives both a gift certificate to a bookstore (Barnes and Noble) AND the PERFECT book (in my opinion) a book on De-cluttering! Now that is fantastic since everyone needs to de-clutter every now and again. God knows I NEED help.

devonshiredesignltd.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-100th-post-giveaway.html

I'm in - so I am in the running - you need to get moving though - it ends on January 30th. Now I know that doesn't sound like its that close ...... BUT its already January 22nd! Where the HECK has January gone already.??

Amazing Friendship

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.


I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.


They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.


Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers,
or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and
compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE A RAINBOW OF SMILES ON YOUR FACE AND IN YOUR HEART FOREVER AND EVER! FRIENDS FOREVER!

CALMNESS IN OUR LIVES

Ok things must have been very strange in the office today - since this was another email from the girls. Either that or they wanted to let me know that THEY had found a way to cope with the upcoming "day to day" and didn't want me to be left out.


I am passing this on to you because it definitely works and we
could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following
simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner
peace. Dr Phil proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to
finish all the things you have started and have never finished.'

So,
I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't
finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished a
bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's
Irish Cream, a bottle of Kahlua, a package of Oreos, the remainder of
my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos,
and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I
feel right now.

THE SPOILED UNDER-30 CROWD!!!

I actually got this one from the office. I just knew you all would think it was as funny as I did. Well at least if you are (like me) over 30!

If you are 30 or older you will think this is hilarious!!!!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears
with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were.
When they were growing up;
what with walking Twenty-five miles to school every morning

Uphill... barefoot...

BOTH ways

Yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up,
there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that... I'm over the ripe old age of thirty,
I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today.

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood,
you live in a damn Utopia!

And I hate to say it but you kids today you
don't know how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet.
If we wanted to know something,
We had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalogue!!

There was no email!!
We had to actually write somebody a letter, with a pen!

Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!

Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us.
As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass!
No where was safe!

There were no MP3' s or Napsters!
You wanted to steal music,
you had to hitchhike to the damn record store and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ'd usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!

There were no CD players!
We had tape decks in our car.
We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished and the tape would come undone,
cause that's how we rolled dig?

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting!
If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either!
When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school,
your mom, your boss, your Bookie, your drug dealer, a collections agent, you
just didn't know!!!
You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics!
We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'asteroids'.
Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!!
And there were no multiple levels or screens,
it was just one screen forever!

And you could never win.
The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died!
Just like LIFE!

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on!
You were screwed when it came to channel surfing!
You had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel!
There was no Cartoon Network either!
You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning.
Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons,
you spoiled little rat-bastards!

And we didn't have microwaves,
if w e wanted to heat something up we had to use the stove ...
Imagine that!

That's exactly what I'm talking about!
You kids today have got it too easy.
You're spoiled.
You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1980 or before!

Regards,
The over 30 Crowd

So I guess this is the life .........

The life of a sleepy kitty after the morning of terrorizing everyone ...... ok she was getting even but the darting from one room to the next, under foot was obviously way too much. So as the snow flys outside (yes the white stuff is falling again) she curled up on the couch, in her own special spot (or so she thinks) and took over.

Sorry its a little dark - but we didn't want to disturb the sleeping beauty by turning on a light.

Yes those are socks waiting for their "missing" mate. I did do something today - just not enough to find their mates. Oh and the blue thing - that's the other part of her play cube - we only opened one after Christmas ...... but I guess the other should at least be opened if not "attached"

I WON, I WON!!

I just had to start jumping up and down ........ no not because I'm freezing (we've warmed up to 38 so the snow may actually melt some today) but because I just saw that I WON the valentine's day giveaway at snarkalicious (proudmomx2.blogspot.com/2009/01/and-sexy-sweethearts-winner-is.html).

I just sent an email to Sarah so I could give her my address. I am so surprised. I'm in shock. You don't understand - well maybe you do. But I don't usually have a lot of luck in contests. I love to enter them, I love the ideas you get when you look at some of the contests - either from others comments or from the offers themselves.

Thank you Sarah

writers and witches, and words...oh my!: announcing...

writers and witches, and words...oh my!: announcing...

OK here is a "mystery" basket of 13 nurturing things that Annie feels are essential for making it through the long winter - and it sure has felt like a long winter already.

Now you need to hurry - you have until she reaches 600 posts (her posts not us - since I was having a "duh" moment this morning) .

I've been lurking around her blog for a while now - and really like her - hopefully you will too - so go check it out!

5 minute giveaway basket.

Janice and Susan have come up with yet another great giveaway. Check it out.

www.5minutesforgiveaways.com/82/vaseline-clinical-therapy/#comment-16947

You have time for this one - but don't be dilly dallying - you only have 12 days. This is available until the end of January.

You get a basket with a little of everything - great lotion for those winter drys and chocolate for a lifted spirit (what woman doesn't want softer skin and chocolate?).

I'm in - don't miss out.

Happy Daisy: It's Giveaway Time Again!!!!

Happy Daisy: It's Giveaway Time Again!!!! These look fantastic. A great giveaway option - my daughter would be so into so many of these - I have the first present idea for this year! There are a few that I too really like - so I'm thinking this is a definite YES site for me.

Now I am already entered into this giveaway - but I am giving others the heads up to go check it out. Open until January 20th so go check this one out ASAP.

Some more of the scrabble tile pendant pieces available www.etsy.com/search_results_category.php?search_type=category_tags_jewelry.pendant&search_query=scrabble+tile

A Few Graduation Pics

The graduate with some of the friends that came to celebrate - past Alumni and present Students. Looks like they had a good time, even with the camera in their faces.

A real quick pic as he was in the "sea" of caps waiting for the "official" designation of GRADUATE.

Once we get the rest loaded and "red eye" fixed ....... there should be some/ a few more.

Graduation Day

Of course today is unbelievably cold - but we are driving to CT just so we can sit in the cold building (Charger Gymnasium), but I guess its somuch better than "outside" to watch my son GRADUATE!

You have no idea how happy yet sad I am right now. I'm not sure how to describe how I'm feeling.

I'm so excited that he has graduated. That he followed the dream he had since he was in the 2nd grade. He has a degree in Fire Science - with a concentration in Arson Investigation and a minor in Criminal Justice......bet you'd never heard of that Major! Now if the economy would just get a little better perhaps he could actually get a job! And that is part of why I'm sad. He is in the economic "bubble" - where everything has been put on hold because of the economic conditions.

Well I need to get myself ready - 2 hours in the car is not a pleasant thought but it is for a wonderful reason!

Stay warm everyone. Don't know about where you are but windchill is -10 (at least that's what they said about 30 minutes ago)

Kellogg Halts Sales of Peanut Butter Crackers

Just incase you haven't seen this one - especially if you have little kids that love Peanut Butter Crackers/Cookies check out this post. It includes their Keebler brand!

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100231343&GT1=31036

Sometimes in Life

Friendship Rose for you ............

Sometimes in life,

you find a special friend;

Someone who changes your life
just by being part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh
until you can't stop;

Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.

Someone who convinces you
that there really is an unlocked door
just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship.

God and Needs

I was just told that I was loved ......... but of course there is a catch - and I'm NOT taking any chances so I'm sending this out to each of you - gosh I hope its more than 9


God doesn't give you the people you want,
He gives you the people you NEED.
To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and
to make you into the person you were meant to be.


LOVE YOU!!!!!

NOW YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK!!!!

IN 9 MINUTES SOMETHING WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY,

BUT YOU HAVE TO TELL 9 SISTERS YOU LOVE THEM INCLUDING ME. GO!!!!

One Flaw in Women .....

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Picture Tag

Pam at Screaming Mimi (screamingmimitoo.blogspot.com/) tagged me with the picture game. I had to go to my fourth folder & pick out the fourth picture, and describe that picture. No cropping or editing allowed, so here it is above. For whatever reason I can't move the picture DOWN so it has to start the post.

This is a picture outside my house right after the first snow fall of 2005.....you asked for number 4......I went outside to see how the street looked shortly after the snow stopped and before we needed to think about shoveling. For some reason the snowplow had gone through already - must be because the police chief lives 3 doors down and across the street. Perhaps that was why it was plowed??

Next step was to nominate 4 more people to continue the game. So I've picked ---

1) Pam at Random Thoughts (pam-randomthoughts.blogspot.com/)
2) Jaci at Ravings of a Mad Housewife (ravingsofamadhousewife.blogspot.com/)
3) Denise at There's always room for one more (www.theresalwaysroomforonemore.com/)
4) Alicia at YaYa Stuff (yayastuff.blogspot.com/)

Hopefully they will think this is fun too and join in.

Organization at its finest!

Ok EVERYONE needs a little help in the organization mode. Here is a great idea (great giveaway too) to help get you from the house to car to office and back again. Or if you are really inspired - getting from anywhere to anywhere in an organized manner.

http://organizewithsandyreviews.blogspot.com/2008/12/car-caddie-review-and-giveaway.html

I'm already in - BUT you have to HURRY HURRY HURRY - the giveaway ends TODAY at 8PM so hurry that you don't miss out on Sandy's prize.

While you are there - check out some of the other ideas that she has - some really great ideas to get your creative juices flowing (or just kick ya in the pants if you don't have any ideas - she's got some great ones.)

They Say I'm Nuts 100th blog post giveaway

If you haven't had a chance to check out this blog - today IS the day to do it. Not only is she today's SITS blogger of the day - she has a fantastic giveaway for her 100th post. Now you NEED to hurry since you only have until THURSDAY the 15th to get "registered".

theysayimnuts.blogspot.com/2008/12/100-ta-da.html

I'm in - just cause she sounds like my kinda fun - I mean come on, her blog title is CRAZED MIND - what's not to like!

HURRY only 2 days left - don't be left out!

Jewelry Giveaway

Ok if you love jewelry - and who doesn't? Here is a great giveaway offer...........

everythingupclose.blogspot.com/2009/01/natural-beauty-jewelry-review-giveaway.html

Now do not dilly dally or you will miss out. This offer expires on January 15th - so like I said don't be dallying.

Flat Tire

Ok I've seen this before, but one of the girls in the office just sent this to me. It produced a laugh that was definitely needed.


Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I ease my
Car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully get out of the car and
Open the trunk.

I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at
The rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so
Lifelike you wouldn't believe! They are in trench coats
Exposing their nude bodies and private parts to the
Approaching drivers.

But to my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my
Lifelike men.

And of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is
Tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state
Trooper pulls up behind me.

He gets out of his car and starts walking towards me. I
Could tell he was not a happy camper!

'What's going on here?'

'My car has a flat tire', I said calmly.

'Well, what the hell are those obscene cardboard men doing
Here by the road?'

I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him,
'Helloooooo, those are my emergency flashers!'

Wise words

To get something you never had,
you have to do something you never did.

When God takes something from your grasp,
He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence...

The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

Woo hoo in the box (don'tcha just love it?)

I was checking out the blogs I follow (much later than normal today - but I'm not doing great today - we were dirty stay outs last night .... and I guess I'm getting too old for this) and I saw this blog in the daily SITS post. When I clicked and saw the name of the site and then started reading.......well now I'm hooked.

Check out this great giveaway that will be "accumulating" for the rest of the month. The box of items could be rather extensive (she added lots of stuff today too) since she is going to keep adding to it until the end of January!

chickennuggetsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/01/woo-hoo-in-box-my-bloggy-giveaway.html

Check it out - I'm in, how about you?

All American Mommy Giveaway

ok WHO isn't, hasn't been, or is about to be on a diet of some kind? I've got the perfect giveaway for you - definite bonus for us in the "losing" lifestyle.

http://allamericanmommy.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway-hows-your-new-years-resolution.html

I sure hope that you take a chance on this great giveaway. While you're there, check out all the rest of her posts - she really is good at finding great things to tempt us with.

Feisty Frugal and Fabulous GIVEAWAY

Ok this is another great giveaway - AND you get to stay (or get) green when you win! Lets face it laundry detergent and fabric softener is expensive. If you have a family - it seems like you are ALWAYS washing clothes (or is that just me?) I truly believe that everything that hits the laundry sorter - MULTIPLIES. Anyway that's another story.

Check out the great green giveaway for your laundry - these really sound interesting.

http://feistyfrugalandfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/01/buysoapnutscom-review-giveaway.html

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.
If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.
If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.
If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.
She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So, if you give her any crap,
be ready to receive a ton of sh!t."

This is a reprint of a reprint - A friend (Chris) had this sent to her and she shared it with me. I just had to share it with you - since of course I think its PERFECT.

Quote of the Day

I was checking my Sparks Page at Sparkpeople.com (yeah I have LOTS of places to check each day - its almost a full time job! now if I could get it to pay like a full time job . . . ) and I was hit with a wonderful quote of the day.

This quote is from Bill Cosby - you remember him don't you? A wonderful teacher, actor, comedian..... I love his shpeel on Child Birth - but that's another story. Anyway this is just perfect - especially for the start of a new year.

I don't know the KEY to SUCCESS,
BUT the KEY to FAILURE is trying to please EVERYONE.

So for the start of 2009 - we need to take this to heart. If we need, no strike that, MUST stop trying to make everyone happy - we NEED to make ourselves happy (no that doesn't mean mortgaging your life to the hilt) so that everyone else will end up being happy when we are successful in whatever we do.

50 million pounds challenge

ok I was watching the Today Show yesterday (well out of the corner of my eye while trying to get ready for work) and I caught a little piece on weight loss. Like thats something new - its the start of a new year EVERYONE has an idea about losing weight.

Anyway, this one was somehow different. So I had to go to the Today's Show website and find out more about this plan. Th website is http://www.50millionpounds.com/ if you are interested in seeing what I'm doing for the next few months. It is "sponsored" by a doctor - Doctor Ian Smith, who does a lot of the medical reports on the Today Show.

I'm still looking into all the specifics and getting some information on how it is suppose to work exactly and what you need to do - since it appears to be on a rotating 4 day schedule - so I'm not completely abandoning what I've been doing - but I'm somewhat "stuck" so I thought this might be the "kick in the pants" that I need to get the scale moving again and in the RIGHT direction.

No its not part of a New Year's Resolution ...... I don't do those since I always break them before the end of January (and once before the end of the first day). But it is something that I want to do for me. Who knows I could really make my personal goal in 2009 AND stay there.

There's always room for one more: Happy 200th Post!

Denise is celebrating her 200th post with an awesome give away! Go over and give her some bloggy love and congratulate her.

There's always room for one more: Happy 200th Post!

The giveaway goes until January 14th.

New Contract for 2009

After serious & cautious consideration . . .

Your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2009!

It was a very hard decision to make. So try not to screw it up!!!

My Wish for You in 2009

May peace break into your house.
May thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline.
May laughter assault your lips!
May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires.
May happiness slap you across the face.
May your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address!

In simple words . . .

May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!

Pam's Inspirational Give Away

I love these. Here are your very own books of inspiration.

Pam is starting 2009 by giving away 3 different books of inspiration to help us face each day. Some days it is a real trial to get up and get moving instead of giving in to the feelings of wanting to get back into bed and pull the covers over your head. Any one of these could be part of your defense against those feelings.

http://devotionaldaze.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-inspiration-giveaway.html

Words of Inspiration

I'm sure you have seen some of these in the workplace - you know on those "inspiration" posters, but I opened my pocket calendar and low and behold here are a few to share.

CHALLENGE: Do NOT let what you can not do interfere with what you CAN do.

PERSISTENCE: Never, never, NEVER ever, quit.

DETERMINATION: Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are DETERMINED to.

SUCCESS: In order to succeed we must first believe that we CAN.

And my favorite - although not seen on a poster in the workplace - it is what I tell my daughter all the time .........

Do NOT let anyone tell you that you CANNOT do something,
just smile and say "Watch ME".

Texas Word Tangle Give Away

You need to hurry - this one ends TODAY. But there are some great items in this giveaway box. The books sound fantastic. The cook pan .... well what can I say I love to cook.

http://texaswordtangle.blogspot.com/2009/01/starting-new-year-out-right-texas-word.html

Don't miss out - today is the last day - midnight tonight.

Great Give Away Opportunity

Run on over (ok click below) to see Kat at Sunshine and Lemonade, and her fantastic giveaway opportunities. She's got some fantastic prizes in this box.

http://sunshineandlemonade.blogspot.com/2009/01/weekend-winners-greatest-hits.html

I'm in - I'd absolutely love the gift card for B&N, Lost the first season, family games, "snackers" and heck even the pink scrapers (I like pink and grey for a kitchen - which I think I'm going to use when I redo my kitchen).

Don't wait too long - contest ends on Friday the 9th!!

POP'RS GIVEAWAY

These look to be so much fun. So if, like me, you want to try something new - that sound like fun, this is it.

poprs.blogspot.com/2009/01/poprs-new-years-giveaway-unleashed.html

Go put in your entry - today through January 11th.

OK Weight loss FACTS

Reader's Digest. com January book got me. On the cover proclaims there are 13 things that NO ONE ever tells you about weight loss. So of course I had to buy this one.

In a nutshell - here it is:

Fascinating facts behind the new fat-busting science.....yeah it is a science (and one heck of an industry)

1) It REALLY is Genetic
2) Some people just have MORE fat cells
3) You CAN change your Metabolism
4) Stress FATTENS you up
5) Mom's Pregnancy SEALED your Fate
6) Sleep MORE, lose MORE
7) Your SPOUSE'S weight MATTERS
8) A VIRUS CAN cause Obesity
9) Cookies really ARE ADDICTIVE
10) Ear Infections CAN Taint your Taste Buds
11) Antioxidants are Also ANTI-FAT
12) Pick a diet - ANY diet
13) You Can Be fat AND fit.


Lets see, I can blame it all on my mom and work and lack of sleep ...... see I just knew it wasn't my fault.

No seriously - you should go read the entire article - but it did make me feel better about all the things I've been doing. I really did know many of the things that were outlined in this article, but its nice to see it validated in print.

The rush is over ........ SO

If you are going to really make New Years Resolutions or make 2009 Attitude Changes or 2009 Goals, now is the time to do it.

The rush of "You've GOT to make a resolution" or the guilt trip that many put on you to MAKE a Resolution that you will probably break anyway, has passed. So now you can decide what it is that you want to accomplish in 2009.

The other day my local paper listed 10 "steps" to get you closer to your 2009 Resolutions. Some of them I thought were pretty good. So here you go:

1) Take Ninety Days.
Pick something you want to accomplish or change in your life within the next 90 day. 90 Days is a much more manageable amount of time than a year and allows you to reach that "goal" and see the results.

2) What to Subtract.
Pick something that you want to be "gone" or "not doing" and are willing to commit to not being in your life in the next 90 days.

3) What to Add.
Pick something that is currently NOT in your life and that you are willing to commit to being in your life in the next 90 days.

4) Choose One.
Look at steps 2 and 3. Pick ONE to accomplish in the next 90 days. And then set to doing it. This way you can focus on ONE thing at a time and accomplish more in 1 year then you could otherwise.

5) Write it Down.
I love this one. It does not matter how strong your memory is, its still not as strong as the weakest link. There is a power in writing things down. It reminds us of what we want to do.

6) Find a model.
Look for people or a person who has already accomplished what you want to do and follow their "trail". Successful people ALWAYS leave a trail for others to follow - you just have to look for it.

7) Create a map.
You wouldn't venture across country in a car without a map, why would you try to accomplish anything without the doing the same. Write down the steps you will follow (or others have followed) to accomplish your task - so you can make sure you don't miss anything along the way.

8) Be consistent.
Its rarely one big effort that accomplishes a goal - but small CONSISTENT steps taken each and every day can help achieve that goal.

9) Schedule a future action.
Some people look at this as a "reward", others just look at it as the "next step". If you want to lose weight - break it down into manageable "mini" goals and figure out a "reward" for each goal that doesn't involve food. A manicure, a pedicure, a new sweater, you get the idea.

10) Maintain and celebrate.
It is so easy to reach that goal and then stop. How many times have you reached a goal that was for a special event, turn around and have to start all over again? We need to keep track of what worked and keep doing it. But remember to give yourself a pat on the back (ie a little celebration that doesn't set you back) and continue doing what works. Then set the next 90 day goal.

You CAN do it. Baby Steps - one at a time, and 90 days from now you will be that much further along on this journey we call LIFE.

Go Green ........

If you are thinking about "going green" in 2009 - or if you've already started, check out these bags ...

http://susannahbananaboutique.blogspot.com/2009/01/hotsacks.html

A wonderful way to help save our Earth and stop filling those landfills with things that aren't biodegradable or take forever and a day to breakdown.

So Many Creative People Out There

I have been "wandering" around for what I now see has been about 4 HOURS, checking out some of the blogs that are being followed by people I "follow". This lead to even more blogs to look at. Which will end up being added to my list of "blogs I love to follow".

The point is - there are some really very creative people that share their blogs with us. I've seen blogs from some extremely creative cooks. I've seen some blogs from some very savvy product critics who also share their good fortune with giveaways. And I've read some blogs that have really beared the soul of the writers.

Some have made me hungry even though we had a great dinner (New Years Day "special"). Some have made me laugh (so that my kids think I've lost my mind). Some have made me cry and at times think - but for the grace of God go I. And some that have made me realize in many ways, we are all so very alike yet so very different.

This could become a very addictive process. The more you read, the more you want to read. Good thing my kids are "older" and can fend for themselves (most of the time) and during the week my husband works like a fiend, late into the evening - or I may be accused of neglecting them.

Thank you all for sharing your lives, loves, upsets and concerns. You all have made some wonderful "friends" and I've been honored to view a little part of your world these past few weeks.

Mamma Mia .........

Have you seen the movie? Do you want to?

Hop on over to http://www.5minutesforgiveaways.com/65/mamma-mia-dvd/
and give it a shot - you could be watching this for the first time - or watching again to remember all the laughs and good times.

Everything Up Close: Envirosax Review & Giveaway!

Want to do something good for the environment AND look "stylish" doing it? Here's a great way to do it.

Everything Up Close: Envirosax Review & Giveaway!

Sometimes I think ladies in the supermarket think I'm the local "bag lady" when I come in to do my shopping, since I've "collected" a few bags to do my part. Heck, I even use them when I go to BJ's to do my warehouse shopping. They love me in the parking lot.

Every one of my bags are different, but not one is like these. I will be getting one of these too.