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Showing posts from January, 2012

Thought Of The Day

I will do my best. Stay cool. (via Cristal Rickles - Pinterest)

Any Chance My 14 Year Old Will Agree With Me?

The building where I attended Kindergarten through 8th grade has become a school that holds grades up through High School, and my 8th grader is "shadowing" today.  *gulp*  I wanted to stay, so I could check out my old building but they wouldn't let me.  Dang it! I'm trying to figure out how to handle this situation.  As of this morning I want her to attend this school more than she does.  I'm positive that is due to the fact that a majority of her classmates are going to another school, but I'm not too hip on that school to be quite honest.  Where she's visiting today is supposed to be much better academically and, to be brutally honest, much safer than the other school ( that shall not be named ;-> ). I'm anticipating that this is going to be tough.  I really shouldn't do that.  Who knows what she'll think of her visit today?  Possibly she could be really excited about her experience and can't wait to be a part of this school!  But

She Makes Me Laugh

I know that she's in Mike and Molly.  And I know how funny everyone thinks Bridesmaids is. Annnddd yes, she has recently received an Oscar nomination for her role in Bridesmaids.  But, honestly, I have to say Melissa McCarthy won me over with her opening monologue while hosting Saturday Night Live.  A Zip Zow!

What About The Hokey Pokey?

Poor things.  They didn't stand a chance.

A Place For Everything

While trying to organize my girls room, I'm finding so many papers and cards and things that I think aren't that important lying around their desks and floor.  I've learned my lesson not to throw anything away without asking however, that little section in my brain marked "Neat Freak" is urging me to just chuck it all. Instead, I've been trying to find creative ways to keep all their precious (for now) knickknacks.  Good thing I've lived in a tiny apartment in NYC because my mind goes back to organizing in tiny spaces.  Our girls share a room and part of our situation is trying to decorate one room that holds two different personalities, interests and colors.  The quickest way to organize is to find a home for the papers and cards on a bulletin board.  I like the fabric kind.  What can add a level of sharpness are enclosed fabric bulletin boards .  It brings it up a notch in the sleekness, I think.  One daughter will like the fabric and I'm sure th

Quote Of The Day

Agreed.

Planning Ahead

While my oldest daughter is preparing to enter high school next year I'm happy to hear that she is planning on attending a college in our neighborhood.  I'm happy about her plans, but I'm not happy about the cost of this college.  It's a private school which makes the dollar signs in my head spin.  (Anyone else getting dizzy?) In my typical way of trying to be prepared for anything I've been researching websites that offer information on scholarships and grants for college.  I've easily found SchoolScholarships.com.  This website offers financial aid information and provides knowledge on what scholarships are out there and how to obtain them.  There are scholarships for just about every minority you can think of.  Did you know there's even a scholarship available for bloggers?  The more I delve into this website I just might find a grant for left-handed students .  I think this is the perfect time for my daughter to see what kind of effort she'll nee

Probably Shouldn't Be This Mad, But I Am

'Another example that the 14 year old brain is not fully formed.' I repeated this to myself while driving to where I was praying my daughter was. After school yesterday my daughter asked if she could go to her friends house.  I made sure she got there and trusted that she would stay at that house until she was picked up.  At 5:00 I called my husband to ask if he could pick-up our girl on his way home from work.  I called her friends house with our plan and no one answered.  I waited 5 minutes and called again, no one answered.  Another 5 minutes, no answer. I'm doing my best to stay calm, perhaps they're playing video games in the basement which, I've been told, isn't near the phone.  Now, this upsets me that they can't hear the phone ring but I'm sure Rob's knocking on the door will get someone's attention.  Rob calls from the house saying the house is dark and no one is answering the door.  Not good. I called a mom whose daughter was als

5 Deadly Terms Used By A Woman

Are there more terms not listed? ;->

Getting Crafty

I wish I was good at sewing.  It just isn't natural for me.  My grandmother was amazing with her sewing machine, my mother can do, well, just about anything and my sister learned from both of them and is incredible.  I, on the other hand, was not touched in the stitchery department and just don't get it. When it comes to making things with my hands I need a lot of assistance.  ( A lot! )  I did take up knitting for a while but became so annoyed when my scarves started to look like flowing waves rather than creating rows of even stitches.  I'm sure my husband got tired of hearing me say, 'When did I drop a stitch?  What's going on here?!'  And my poor girls, doing their best to have a smile on their face while they wear a scarf their mother had made.  Those scarves are now being used as blankets for Barbies. I want to keep trying though.  I feel it's a matter of time before it really clicks with me and I make something worth showcasing in my home.  Perhap

Who Cares That They're Ugly

But you wear whatever you want ;->

Virtual Girls Night Out - How's Your Weather?

There's no way I'm going to complain about the light rain that continues to fall around Portland while our surrounding neighbors are dealing with high floods washing away their cars and flooding their homes.  And our neighbors to the North in Seattle are dealing with major ice storms cutting off their power. I like having electricity and being able to drive/walk when I need to, no ice thank you very much.  For those of you that are a bit stranded in your house let's get this Virtual Girls Night Out going! *The VGNO is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, and have fun!  Leave a comment to let us know you've stopped by.  Happy VGNO!* Time For Some Tunes!   Gotye "Somebody That I Used To Know" Hey. That guys nekkid!  Nice paint job. Time For A Cocktail! (This is for a group ;-> ) Paint Can   1 fifth vodka 2 liters Squirt® citrus soda 1 can froze

Freeshipping.com Reviews

Guest post by Amanda Johnson Freeshipping.com Reviews   Freeshipping.com is a members-only subscription rewards program that provides consumer benefits to people who shop online. Subscription rewards programs are a little different than buying clubs, and in the eyes of most avid online shoppers they are advantageous. In a buying club, you sign up for a contract and are then billed monthly for certain merchandise. Most often the merchandise is sent to you automatically and you don’t have much choice in the matter. With a subscription based service like freeshipping.com you can choose from thousands of online stores when, where, and however often you please. So when you are doing your research and deciding whether to subscribe, it is first good to understand the distinction I have just laid out. There are some   freeshipping.com reviews   out there with misinformation regarding the facts, which could lead you to miss out on an opportunity that you would have o

Mind Games

I don't need to lead a BIG life.  I don't ask for the newest car, or latest fashion.  I don't wear much jewelry and it's very rare that I get my nails done.  It isn't that I don't like those things, I would enjoy all of that very much, it's just not what I'm about. All I ask is for the good health of my family, my car and appliances to work when I need them to and, hopefully, find some peace - or release of anxiety - in my mind.  When circumstances seem to go in a positive direction I hold back on what should be happiness and wait for it to all crumble back to the way it was before. I know you can't count on anything to stay the same.  Change is the only constant.  I know that.  I just wish I could let go of the negative, nagging voice and be "happy".  I'll keep workin' on it!  :->

Spread Out!

Two-finger spacing, my dear.  Two-fingers. (*not my daughter's work)

For Me, It's All About The Food

There's some kind of important football game coming up, right?  ;-> I'm not the most avid football fan but what does excite me about the "Big Game" is the food.  I love dips.  I love chips.  I love chili and hot dogs and wings and... oh, I better slow down here.  The game isn't for a few weeks.  We will most likely have family and friends over and my husband will cook up batches of delicious food that will make every one happy while they cheer on their favorite team.  (I'll be with the food, thank you very much.) Something we really need to look into are serving dishes for a group.  We do have parties through out the year and lots of little dishes cluttering the tables just isn't cutting it any more.  Hotel Supplies and Restaurant supply can be a great resource.  PeachSuite Hospitality Supply has some great deals for the Super Bowl.  I found a nice slow-cooker that would be perfect for my sister's fantastic Beans recipe.  My favorite! Peac

Getting Ready

Menopause.  There, I said it.  It hasn't happened yet, but it's on its way.  I mean, I'm in the right age group and there are some months I wonder if my flightiness of mood or sudden lack of energy are symptoms of menopause .  'Is this it?' I wonder.  I joke with my husband and remind him that he needs to keep his sense of humor when "the change" comes.  I've heard some stories of women getting quite kooky when their hormones are completely changing so I'm bracing myself (and him too). I'm not sure what I'm going to take when menopause shows it's pretty face, or better yet sweaty face from hot flashes.  The women in my family have taken different routes along the way, trying to find what works.  What's the treatment this month?  Why is it so difficult to find the magic potion? In my arsenal of "being prepared for anything" I have a file of sites that share good information.  The website Amberen has an excellent video w

Put This On

I need to stop getting so annoyed with my girls not wearing their coats.  Their nice, new, warm, cozy, you-are-so-lucky-to-have, coats. The winter weather is creeping closer to Portland, OR and I've (finally) caught on with being prepared in the clothing department.  Boots. Check.  Gloves. Check.  Winter coats. Check.  Are my girls wearing any of these things when necessary???  Ugh. When my 14 y/o wants to hang out with her friends and walk with them to McDonald's (I've done my best to avoid this place over the years but hey, she's 14 and wants some fries) I'll remind her to wear something more than her Aeropostale hoodie.  "Mom. I'm fine. ByeIloveyou...."  door shuts before I can harass her with the coat issue any further.  What do I hear when they return?  "I am so COLD!"  Gee, really? Yes, my girls are old enough to dress themselves and decide when they are cold.  However, it's difficult for me to handle the fact that these aweso

Saying Of The Day

Upromise - Every Little Bit Helps

Did you know that when you shop in your grocery store, or at your favorite on-line retailer, you could save money for college ?  I've heard about the site upromise but I hadn't checked it out, until now.  What a wonderful way to do whatever you can to save your pennies for your child's college education. Joining upromise is easy and free.  What this program entails is acquiring a upromise credit card and using that card to make your purchases.  The first 12 months carry a 0% finance charge.  You will receive 1% savings on all purchases all the time, 10% savings on purchases from participating grocery and drug store items.  You continue the 1% savings at Exxon and Mobil gas stations and 2% savings on eligible purchases on-line. While checking out the participating retailers I've found my local Kroger's store (where most of my purchases are made) and my favorite drug store are a part of upromise shopping deals .  I had no idea it would be this easy to save what

Virtual Girls Night Out - Distract Me!

So... my husband's company has been purchased and today is the day he/we find out what's in store regarding his job *gulp*.  Ooooooooooooh my goodness.  Well.  Whaddya' gonna do, right?  Right now, I'm going to distract myself from waiting for the phone to ring and get our Virtual Girls Night Out started!  Let's do this! *The VGNO is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add the link to your blog below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!* Time for Some Tunes! Goo Goo Dolls " Better Days " Oh John, John, John.  You've got the best teeth around I have to say.  And those cheek bones, and your eyes and, well, I think you can tell where I'm going with this ;-> Time For A Cocktail!   Green Hope Ingredients: 3 oz.  Vodka 1 1/2 oz  Lemon Juice 1/2 oz.   Grapefruit Juice 1/2 oz.   Bols Creme de Banana 1/2

Quote Of The Day - Thursday

On the eve of changes, I need these words.

Shopping

If finding a great deal brings you a thrill then you will love to be a part of NoMoreRack.com.  Every day they have a wonderful variety of items that are steeply discounted for 24 hours.  You can find clothing for men, women and children.  Toys, electronics, jewelry.  Accessories and make-up. They offer just about everything!  (Except the kitchen sink. But who knows what will happen in the future.) Part of the fun of getting an amazing deal at NoMoreRack is that not only are these prices available for 24 hours, they may sell out within their first hour of being posted, so you need to check-out the site every morning to make sure you don't miss a savings opportunity of up to 60% to 90% off a quality item. NoMoreRack.com acquires their items from manufacture closeouts, cancelled orders, factory overrun and overstock.  They ensure that everything they sell is 100% authentic and at the highest quality.  One thing that I absolutely love is their $2 flat rate shipping and handling

Keeping A Safe Distance

When the sun shines in the Pacific Northwest even the most unlikely mates find common ground and call a truce.  (But Benny still isn't going to share his Care Bear.)

Write Someone A Letter

With the increasing use of the internet and e-mail we are always hearing of the plight of the US Postal Service.  That makes me sad.  I love mail, or snail mail - whatever you want to call it.  I love receiving a hand written letter or card.  And the sight of the little red flag on mailboxes always makes me hopeful. I've seen a beautiful selection of mailboxes offered at Whitehall Mailboxes .  They carry a lovely collection of sizes, styles and price ranges.  They also use recycled materials which I feel is a wonderful bonus.  What kind of look am I going for?  Classic, regal, or charming?  Decisions, decisions. I'm drawn to a wall mount design because we live on a somewhat busy street.  I know my tastes must sound tame by calling a monogrammed mailbox "flashy", but that's how I am.  It's all filigree and brassy and very pretty.  What I find incredibly necessary is the lockable insert.  In this day and age, it's just a fact of life. If you're in

Quote Of The Day

Virtual Girls Night Out - Say My Name, Say My Name

So my 11 yr. old tells me she wants to be called something else.  She says she doesn't feel like a 'Lily'.  She wants to be called Rachel.  Hmmm.  When I was young I remember my pretend name be Marcia.  I had a very good reason for this because I lo-o-o-oved "The Brady Bunch" and Marcia was, well, you know, fantastic .  But my daughter doesn't have a Rachel in her real, or t.v., life.  What is up with this?!?  How about a little Virtual Girls Night Out then I'll get down to investigating.   *The Virtual Girls Night Out is for those that don't have a chance to get out of the house but still want to "hang with their friends ". So, make yourself a cocktail, put on something cozy and have fun. Leave a comment to let us know you stopped by. We'll visit your blog and say "Happy VGNO!"* Time For Some Tunes!   Brandi Carlile " Dying Day " If I could sing, I mean re

Sign Of The Day

(*yes, I'm from Portland so... I've "put a bird on it".  If you don't know what I'm talking about click here: " Portlandia - Put A Bird On It ")

Tasting Texas

Years ago, when my husband traveled often for business, he would pick one item that the state was known for and make a personal quest to find "the best of".  What was fun for me, were the goodies that he would share upon his return.  He's found amazing barbeque sauces, dry rubs, wines and clam chowders in his travels.  With one of his visits to Texas he discovered a great salsa, Fire Tomatillo Salsa Verde, and brought some home to share.  (yeah, me!) His business hasn't required much travel lately so I've found a website that showcases some of his favorites and will gladly ship them our way, Republic of Texas Foods.  They have the salsa we both loved along with some other spicy items I'll leave just for him.  (I'm not a real zippy-food gal.) If you have a sweet tooth they carry an amazing Double-Dipped Milk or White Chocolate Oreo cookie. Oh-my-goodness gracious.  Pass me another while I make time for more leg lifts.  These cookies are so worth the ext

It's All About The Right Bedding

Once you have pets you have no choice but to allow them on your bed.  I didn't grow up with pets (well do hamster really count?) so when I was married and we added a cat to our lives I wasn't sure what to expect.  I quickly learned that you don't really tell the cat what to do, it does what it darn well pleases.  And if that means it wants to jump on your bed in the middle of the night, even though you will kick it off, it will jump back on, because that is what it wants to do.  The End. Oh my, did our cat love our bed skirts .  How many times was I woken up by the cat playing hide-and-seek with his best friend, The Bed Skirt.  Cute.  Yeah, right.  That may work for cute YouTube video's but not when you're trying to sleep. Since I hadn't grown up with pets my system wasn't too used to pet dander so I bought mattress covers thinking that might help.  It actually did, but what worked even better was buying satin pillowcases .  You see, once you get someth

Sign Of The Day

" Meditations " - Marcus Aurelius.  Check it out.

Tiny Time

I remember preparing for my first child by reading all the books, the magazines and driving myself crazy.  When we were preparing for our second child I did what I could to create more peace in the house and looked for ways to make this experience somewhat easier.  Thank goodness someone told us about the joy of baby slings . The first time around I wasn't as sold on the idea of "wearing" my baby.  For what ever reason I had the idea that I could place my baby in a bouncy seat and go about my business in the house.  I blame watching too many '50's style television shows.  Oh, does my little sweetie need a toy? Here you go my darling one.  Would you like a bottle?  Here, hold this while I put dishes in my new, shiny Whirlpool.   Oh my, oh my. It wasn't like that at all. I caught on eventually and by the time our second baby arrived we had a baby hip carrier style that was great for me and my husband.  Seeing him walk around with our baby on his chest will

It's Time To Burn The Diaries

So yeah, I burned my diaries. I started keeping a diary when I was 14.  I continued to write my emotions and experiences in these books until I was 24.  I put my diaries in a box when I moved away from home and carted my history with me.  I shuffled this box with me to my first apartment, to my first home with my fiance, to my first home with my fiance-turned-husband.  Some days, while rummaging through the attic to find gift wrap or suitcases, I would rediscover this box of my history and start reading.  I always felt embarrassed and a bit sick to my stomach.  As the years went by, and my children were getting older, a panic would go through me, what if my daughters found my diaries?!?!  I thought of getting rid of them, but would let it slide, knowing they were well hidden. A member of the family passed away over a year ago and we needed to go through her things to find documentation regarding ownership of items,etc.  While looking at cards that had been kept and special photos

Sign For The Day

What a great reminder. I believe in this completely. Things could be fine and dandy, then one negative person comes in and wreck's the whole vibe.  I am so done with that!  I'm trying to think of ways to not let others negativity affect me.  It's not easy. Love this sign.