Saturday, December 27, 2008

Fill Me With Laughter



Did you know God likes it when you laugh?


Sure, life isn't all fun and games, but a little laughter can go a long way toward improving one's outlook and maintaining an overall sense of well being. In fact, Solomon said, "a cheerful heart is a good medicine" (See Proverbs 17:22 NIV). Another way of putting it ..."The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV). A heavy and burdened spirit saps your energy, but a joyous spirit enables you to face life with a bounce in your step, a smile on your face, and laughter in your mouth.

As a believer, you have a lot to laugh about. No matter what life throws at you, the end of the Book says that we win! That means we get the last laugh!

Our mouths were filled with laughter
our tongues with songs of joy,
Then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
Psalms 126:2 NIV

Friday, December 26, 2008

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

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

You Are a Marilyn!

mm.marilyn_.jpg


You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."


Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.






How to Get Along with Me

  • * Be direct and clear

  • * Listen to me carefully

  • * Don't judge me for my anxiety

  • * Work things through with me

  • * Reassure me that everything is OK between us

  • * Laugh and make jokes with me

  • * Gently push me toward new experiences

  • * Try not to overreact to my overreacting.




What I Like About Being a Marilyn

  • * being committed and faithful to family and friends

  • * being responsible and hardworking

  • * being compassionate toward others

  • * having intellect and wit

  • * being a nonconformist

  • * confronting danger bravely

  • * being direct and assertive




What's Hard About Being a Marilyn

  • * the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind

  • * procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself

  • * fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of

  • * exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger

  • * wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right

  • * being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations




Marilyns as Children Often

  • * are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn

  • * are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger

  • * form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent

  • * look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel

  • * are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent




Marilyns as Parents

  • * are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty

  • * are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence

  • * worry more than most that their children will get hurt

  • * sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries


Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz
at HelloQuizzy

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

I can't believe

it is nearly the end of the year already! Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye...are you ready? I am...I think! LOL we never are, seems there is always someone we forgot or should of done more for or something. We are planning to see some family on Christmas Eve and then my dd's fiance is coming over on Christmas morning to open gifts then we really don't have any plans until Sat when we will have Christmas with my parents and brother and some extended family. At some point we will be seeing my neice and the babies too which I am excited about! They are so stinkin cute! LOL and I love my neice more than she probably knows :) anyway just ramblin on here so I'll stop now - have a wonderful day!





Thursday, December 11, 2008

Let's Break Records!

I am a member of this site called Let's Break Records.
It is a get paid to site which entails signing up for things and completing offers to get cash and records which are redeemable for cash and gift cards and such! They also play games and have contests to earn more. If you are willing to put a little effort in you can earn some extra money too! Just click on my link above or on the one in the sidebar to sign up and help me help the site Break Records!






Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Gratitude Day Twenty-Eight, Twenty-Nine & Thirty

Well I have been lax in posting the end of my list and for that I apologize. We have had a rough week. What was to be a time of vacation and relaxation for my dh turned into not such a good time. A very close friend of his passed away suddenly last week and he has been rather down in the dumps about it. Coming to terms with loss and figuring out how to continue to cope with that void will be a process and I this week was just a start. The funeral was yesterday and while that does bring some closure there is still emptiness there and I can only hope we can fill it with other happiness and good memories!
So the balance of my list I am adding POPCORN! I am thankful for this fun to eat, yummy treat that I can have whenever I want and however I want, plain with salt, with butter, with seasoning, cheese topping chocolate or whatever else I dream up LOL!
I am adding dvd's and family time as I am thankful for nights like we had last week when all of us watched movies together and ate pizza and just enjoyed each other's company.
and finally to round out my list I am thankful fo rthe internet as without it I would be without many friends and ideas! Thanks to the WWW for linking the world together!
I hope you have kept a list too and just because we hit 30 (our pledged # of days) don't stop - remember to be thankful for things ALWAYS - even the little ones. It will bring you muchjoy to focus on those things!
1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)
17.) Cell Phones & Text Messaging
18.) Mail Order
19.) my gloves!
20.) sweater weather
21.) In-Laws
22.) Racing
23.) comfortable car
24.) Having Enough
25.) Freebies
26.) Rubber Stamps
27.) Steals & Deals
28.) POPCORN!
29.) DVD's and family time
30.) the internet





Eyeglasses for $15 US

Yes in today's "broken" economy we need to save where ever we can
but save NOT sacrifice!

Blogme


Optical 4 Less offers an amazing amount of choice in the world of eyeglasses for surprisingly affordable prices! There are so many choices you could easily get a new pair for each day of the week for the same price you would pay at a local optical store for just one single pair. Why be bored with the same frames every day? Switch them out for something hip, cheery or funky to fit your mood or color choice of the day! Pink oval frames one day and rounded wire frames another, with Optical4Less it is easy and affordable!

Optical 4 Less offers amazing frames from as low as $15 US. Plastic frames, wire frames, Avatar style, rounded frames, even bendable frames which are awesome for the child or sport player in your family! You can even get prescription sunglasses there for a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere! Why continue to pay outlandish prices for the same frames elsewhere, save some money still get quality and enjoy the few extra dollars you save in your pocket!

Don’t forget too if you purchase more than one pair you get FREE shipping too! Now that is a clincher for me!



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New site discovered


Found this cool new site and am having fun exploring.
One fo the things I ran across today was a way to get my own choir!
The new site is called Totally Her and has so much I am sure I could easily be lost for hours there so have to watch myself! LOL check it out if you have some spare time!







Thursday, December 4, 2008

Gratitude Day Twenty-Seven

I am so thankful for Steals and Deals like the following one from QVC if you are not a customer please click on the link and go sign up for a $10 off $10 or more purchase! What a nifty way to save a bit on your holiday shopping!

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)
17.) Cell Phones & Text Messaging
18.) Mail Order
19.) my gloves!
20.) sweater weather
21.) In-Laws
22.) Racing
23.) comfortable car
24.) Having Enough
25.) Freebies
26.) Rubber Stamps
27.) Steals & Deals




Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Gratitude Day Twenty-Six

I am thankful for Rubber Stamps and that i can create with them and make other people happy while doing something I love also!


1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)
17.) Cell Phones & Text Messaging
18.) Mail Order
19.) my gloves!
20.) sweater weather
21.) In-Laws
22.) Racing
23.) comfortable car
24.) Having Enough
25.) Freebies
26.) Rubber Stamps






Monday, December 1, 2008

Gratitude Days Twenty thru Twenty-Five

Well we are back from vacation and I am catching up the missing days from my list!
Twenty: The weather in NC was GORGEOUS - definitely my favorite with cool enough to wear sweaters or a light jacket and not have to be bundled up like a weeble wobble LOL! I was sad to have to return to the bitter cold, snow/rain/sleet that is home :(
So I am thankful for sweater weather!
Twenty-One: In-Laws! ROFL I know many people aren't so thankful for them but I am - I have a wonderful SIL and two fantastic nieces who have now grown up and one has some little ones herself who are absolutely adorable even if they are on the mischievous side! ROFL
Twenty-Two: Racing! It is one thing my dh and I both enjoy watching together and I was glad for a nice day Saturday so he was able to go walk around the race track and he even got to drive on it too! If you could only of seen his grin!
Twenty-Three: A comfortable car to ride in when on long trips. I was the passenger the entire time and got to take in the beauty of the mountains all around us and watch the wildlife, yep even the HUGE buck that tried to take my car out when he decided to run down the side of the mountain! Thankfully hubby made enough noise slamming the brakes on that the buck turned his hiney around and went right back up the mountain!
Twenty-Four: Having Enough, enough food to feed my family, enough money to pay the bills (this week anyway) enough gas in my car to get to work, enough warmth to keep me from freezing, enough light to read my book and so on....
Twenty-Five: I have been snagging freebies for some time now - you know the samples you can order or get in stores and other places so I am thankful for them as I package up a box to go to troops over seas. I try to send things they can have at least a moment of indulgance from. Something that smells nice, a fresh tube of chapstick, maybe a treat or whatever else i can find to put into the box.

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)
17.) Cell Phones & Text Messaging
18.) Mail Order
19.) my gloves!
20.) sweater weather
21.) In-Laws
22.) Racing
23.) comfortable car
24.) Having Enough
25.) Freebies

As my list gets longer I find I am having a hard time thinking of just one thing to say...there is so much everyday I am thankful for and this is surely getting me to think about it and appreciate the smallest things so much more in my life! I am glad I found this challenge!


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Gratitude Day Eighteen & Nineteen

For day Eighteen I am thankful for Mail Order so I don't HAVE to go stand in crowded stores and battle to get good deals for Christmas presents. Now I may choose to do so still as I will be going away for Thanksgiving and not sure what is planned at our destination but I am thankful I don't HAVE to and can choose to stay inside and warm if I like :)
Day Nineteen I wake to SNOW - YUK!!!!!! so I am glad I had warm gloves to slide on and keep my fingers from freezing :)
As I said I am going away for the holiday here and won't be posting till I get back so will catch up several days at once again! Have a lovely Thanksgiving everyone!
1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)
17.) Cell Phones & Text Messaging
18.) Mail Order
19.) my gloves!



Sunday, November 23, 2008

Gratitude Day Seventeen

Cell Phones and Text Messaging!

These are 2 things I am very thankful for because they allow me to keep in touch with my family and friends. I love to hear the little trill of the phone indicating I have a message and it is an I love you from someone or a happy thought or letting me know they are ok.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)
17.) Cell Phones & Text Messaging







Saturday, November 22, 2008

Gratitude Day Fourteen, Fifteen & Sixteen



Oh where does the time go to? I think I am on top of things and then wham it is like the days disappear! So here I go catching up again today :)

Day Fourteen I am thankful for flowers - seeing them, smelling them... makes me happy and makes me NOT think about the dreadful white stuff fluttering around!

Day Fifteen I am grateful I live in a small town off the beaten path and that I can drive as slow as I want in the SNOW without anyone bothering me! ughhhh I really really dislike snow and ice covered roads.

Day Sixteen I am grateful for garbage bags LOL! So I can clean the mess up and not have to look at it again! LOL I am cleaning up the huge piles we seem to accumulate and no one ever knows what to do with so while everyone else is at work I am decluttering! Thank goodness the bags are black I can just tell hubby to take them to the curb on garbage day and he won't be nosing in thinking he needs to keep this that or the other thing! ROFL!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag
14.) flowers
15.) Small Towns
16.) Garbage Bags :)





Thursday, November 20, 2008

HB HUGE Give Away Month!


The Clan Mcleod is celebrating her birthday this month and having a LOT did I say a LOT I menat HUGE LOTSA LOTSA give aways! You gotta check it out!
This awesome apron is just one things she is giving away!
I think it is fabulous and would love to be wearing it while I make my Holiday goodies this year!



Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Gratitude Day Eleven, Twelve & Thirteen



My apologies for not setting the auto posts and rather than bombard with multiple posts today I will just simply combine them together for the past few days!

It seems that much has happened and on Monday I was thankful for my "delete" key...I sometimes wish it would extend to real life too kinda like the Staples Easy Button LOL!

Tuesday brought a little more calm to things but a lot of unanswered questions so I choose to focus on someone I am very thankful for...my mom! It was her birthday and I took her to dinner and enjoyed spending time with her alone. Hope you had a happy birthday Mom!

Today I am thankful for our flag that flies big and proud in the sky! I had to drive into the city today to attend to some business and I saw the flag perched atop the interstate lights and it was flowing in the wind so beautifully! Reminds me that even though things aren't going well in the US right now that people fought for the privileges we have here and I am thankful for that small reminder ... the flag that I see in so many different places each day!

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!
11.) the delete key
12.) my Mom!
13.) the Flag





Monday, November 17, 2008

Give Away - Custom Made Vase



Over at the Post - It - Place another awesome contest is taking place! The artwork you are going to get to see is AMAZING! Hurry and get your chance to win one of these!
I have to tell you I am loving Post - It - Place and all the neat finds shared there! I am finding GREAT christmas present ideas!






Sunday, November 16, 2008

Gratitude Day Ten


Laughter is such a wonderful thing :)
It can bring you up from the lowest points and it is HIGHLY contagious much like a smile!
I had a terrific time yesterday with my friends and am thankful for the laughter we all shared and especially for giggles that you can't help but smile behind!


1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!
10.) Laughter!






Saturday, November 15, 2008

Gratitude Day Nine


Friends, Music & Food!
I am getting ready to go meet a friend later this afternoon to go to
a dinner theater performance together.
So today I get to enjoy all 3 together!
1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!
9.) Friends, Music & Food!




Friday, November 14, 2008

Gratitude Day Eight

I am grateful I found the whole blogging world. It has opened my eyes to so many things, beautiful photographs, artwork, techniques, friends, recipes and so much more!


1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband
8.) blogs!






Thursday, November 13, 2008

Gratitude Day Seven

I am thankful for my husband,
sometimes life is not the grand fairytale we often dream of,
in fact a LOT of times it isn't!
So I am thankful for my husband who has stuck with me through a lot of not good,
for his kisses each morning and the honey I'm home
when he finally gets in after a long day working.

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job
7.) My Husband



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Gratitude Day Six


Today the ball dropped at work so to say :( Things have been VERY slow, we have laid workers off and today I took a hit. I didn't get laid off but my hours were cut pretty drastically. The best thing I can think to be grateful for today is that I have a job still in some senses.


1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter
5.) Books
6.) My Job






Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Blog Candy


the Post-It-Place has a cool give away going on for a MiniMate!
What a great idea - I had never heard of this before but I sure could use one!
Good Luck!


Gratitude Day Five


I am thankful for books!


Yep that is my pick today and yes I was what one would term a bit of a book worm growing up but I learned so much! Now if only I had figured out a way to store all that knowledge in an easily retrievable way in my brain LOL!


1.) I am thankful for SAG!

2.) Warm Cozy Socks!

3.) My Eyes

4.) My Daughter

5.) Books






Monday, November 10, 2008

Gratitude Day Four





I am grateful for my daughter!

I love her more than I can ever put into words!


1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes
4.) My Daughter




Sunday, November 9, 2008

Gratitude Day Three

Today I am going to choose to be thankful for

my eyes!

They allow me to see the crisp colors of Autumn,
the people I love, art that inspires me and many other things!



1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!
3.) My Eyes






Saturday, November 8, 2008

Gratitude Day Two

Today I am thankful for a warm cozy socks!
The rain came yesterday afternoon and turned the warm Autumn air chilly and my toes got chilled which means I am chilled then and have a horrible time "heating" back up. So I am thankful for my warm cozy socks that keep my toes "heated" up!

1.) I am thankful for SAG!
2.) Warm Cozy Socks!




Friday, November 7, 2008

Recipe

Last night I peeled and sliced apples making wonderful applesauce
and apple crisp which both my dd and dh like :)
I also made a casserole last night that was super easy and here is a recipe to share with you :)
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can of Cheddar Cheese Soup
1 Cup of Milk
1 Cup of Rice
1/2 bag of frozen veggies (I used cauliflower and broccoli mix)
I poured all into a dish, mixed it up and then plopped it in the oven at 350 degrees for about an hour and a half or so.
OPTIONAL**I also had 2 small cornish hens that we had baked on Sunday so I choose to debone them and add the meat during the last 15 minutes, stirred everything up and then topped with a sprinkling of cheese and bread crumbs. I also turned the temp up a bit as I wanted that crispy top on there.
without the meat added in this would be a lovely side dish, with the meat it is a whole meal!


thoughts on blog hopping




I admit I am a MAJOR blog hopper! I have to pass the day somehow....right?!?!?
Anyway you will notice I now have this picture on my sidebar. You can click on it to be taken to the original site and blog post about hopping but I wanted to add some things that I have learned along the way regarding happy blogging experiences.


My biggest dislike is that when I want to comment on something is when the comment box isn't a pop up. It loads a new page, usually on the same tab which then means I have to hit the line at the top to go back to the blog if I want to read farther or more posts on it. I LOVE the pop up cause it let's me leave my comment , close the box when I am done and I am right where I was, ready to pick up and go again! This is easy to change in your settings on Blogger so you ought to consider it at least - I am sure I am not the only hopper who dislikes this.


Running a close second with this is the Catpah or Capture, word verification or whatever you want to call it. You'll notice I have my JUST SAY NO badge on the upper left side bar. You can click it for more info too and join the cause!


One other dislike is when I can't open something in a new window (you know right click open in new tab/window) because if you say "not without my permission" "not allowed here" and I have to click on it to get to the page you linked well then I get reading there and forget to come back to your blog - you lose out on me visiting more of your work.


I also agree I don't like when I can't just hit next blog at the top (at least here in Blogger) to surf for something. I have found some interesting sites this way and when I hit a roadblock from someone else that is a shame cause the next blog might of been something I was really interested in.


Another wish I have is that there was an easy way to respond to comments left by you all...I read every one and wish I could click on your name and email you all when I have a comment back (or clarification or tip or whatever) but so far I haven't found that to be the case since many ppl don't have the contact info in their profile and thus it doesn't show up when you click on their name or photo.


just some thoughts from this blogger :)


What is your take on this?


Gratitude Day One

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.
~Melody Beattie

I found a group of people online a long time ago that I remain in touch with via email, it isn't a group of crafters although some do and some have shared in that passion with them but more it is a group of people who value friendships and being there for each other. I have had the wonderful experience of meeting several of them in RL and I cherish the pictures and memories that are forever tucked away in my mind of them. We have lost some of them over the years and while that saddens me I know I am better for having known them for even a short time! Our fearless leader shares something with us each day and yesterday the quote above is one I found in my email from her. What coincidence it came on the very day I said I was going to start this challenge and share things here that I am thankful or grateful for each day... Today I pick to be grateful for having met June and her in turn introducing me to a fine group of people without whose encouragement the past few years would of been unbearable!

1.) I am thankful for SAG!





Thursday, November 6, 2008

30 Day Challenge of Gratitude


Erin over at Inky Smiles made me aware of a challenge she is taking and I thought the idea a wonderful way to open my eyes to the things I have taken for granted, to open my eyes to be more thankful for things and to open myself to being more happy and content with my life.
I will try to reflect each evening on things and pick one item to single out and be thankful for and then I will try to share here also. Care to join us?
Click here for a wonderful chart to print off or make your own if you want - be sure to share your ideas too - I'd love to follow your journey too!
For the next 30 days take a moment each day to write down something that you are grateful for. Maybe snap a photo or write a journal entry and make a scrapbook layout or keep a photo journal of it to remind you. It can be anything... a sharp pencil for sketching notes, a warm shower or bath, the love of a friend/sibling/parent/spouse or significant other, a smile on a strangers face, a warm bed to sleep in, a burnt loaf of bread (because that means you have the ingredients & knowledge to bake bread), your job, etc....
Whatever you feel grateful or thankful for.
I guarantee that at the end of 30 days you will see an ABUNDANCE of blessings. You may even want to continue writing them down because as you focus on your blessings you will find more than one thing every day to write down.
Feel free to share on your blog, invite others to join us, and post what you are grateful for.
I hope you will join us on the journey!