12 Days of Christmas Purge

Anytime of year is perfect for a purge! But even more so now, when new things start finding their way to your house... whether a gift from a friend or family member... or one of those gifts to yourself.

I'm joining Alysha for her 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Purge. I'll be sharing my daily purges on Instagram and Facebook. On with the purge!


Day 1: Coffee Mugs

Who does not have too many coffee mugs? I always seem to hang on to a lot. Just in case that swarm of company shows up and a whole pot of coffee (or 2 pots, or 3) get made. Two things that never happen here. It's time to let some of that just go!

I am parting ways this evening today with six coffee mugs. Notice that three of these are Christmas mugs! This couldn't have been a more perfect time to start this purge challenge. Nor a better way to start it, with all the the Christmas stuff coming out of hiding this time of year. These are perfectly good mugs so I will be on the lookout for a new home for them. Where they will be used and loved.

Tomorrow's Purge - Day 2 - Books

If you would like to join in the purge and learn to live with less, leave a comment and stop over and see the hostess, Alysha at An Intentional Future and be sure to keep up with all the daily purges on Instagram and Facebook.

Why I Choose Améo Essential Oils

I've been using essential oils for just under a year. I had never even heard of them or the big brand names (Young Living, doTERRA, etc). It was my little sister who introduced me to them and neither had she had previous experience with those companies. I wasn't even aware what "therapeutic" and "CPTG" meant. My little sister is big in researching and learning truths, not believing whatever she is told. She would even check out thoroughly anything I said. And she should!

We just lost our mother and I have more of a drive than ever before to focus on my health, for myself and my family. And after all she went through I've learned that we HAVE to be advocates for our own health. And if there is a natural way to treat and prevent illness, or control symptoms of disease without the harmful side effects of synthetic drugs, that is the choice I will make. I am thankful for modern medicine and what it can do for us. It saved my mother's life on prior occasions as well. But I love the quote on this picture...

The more I read and learn about essential oils the more confusing it gets. There are those who adamantly oppose internal use/ingestion, while others under precautionary measures embrace it, when it is appropriate. I have read the name Robert Tisserand on many blogs, websites and Facebook pages. I am also taking a course from Vintage Home Remedies titled "Essential Oils and Natural Health". Only from there did I hear that Robert Tisserand, "THE go to source for all things essential oil related was a Massage Therapist. What??? How did he become the go to authority on essential oils? No disrespect intended! I have learned that Traditional Aromatherapy origins were attributed to him. That's all well and good. This type of aromatherapy however relies on a theoretical basis. But when there is Proven, Scientific Evidence that supports (with safety measures followed) internal use. I have to go with the highly Harvard educated, PhD (in Bio-Medical Science) that with a decade of research has developed the science and high quality of Améo oils and has patented proof of the oils at work in the human cells.

Young Living and doTERRA have done a lot to spread the word of essential oils and what they can do. Respect is given to their work. They have paved the way for more research and findings and that's what Dr. Joshua Plant has been able to achieve.

Améo Essenial Oils is the ONLY essential oils with a Clinical Grade. 'Therapeutic' and 'CPTG' are marketing terms to differentiate the two large essential oil companies. There is no official qualification that gives official classifications. Nor can the purity be proven, as the highest quality from Améo will be. Patents have been issued and this is the eve of a great new look at essential oils.

I've never been a distributor for a MLM company before. I've never even signed up to get a discount for myself. I've just steered clear for a few reasons to be  honest. One being a large number of 'those' kind of people seem pushy. But Améo is something I am proud to be affiliated with and share my experience in using. A large number of new distributors (in my group alone) have come from 'the other' companies for a BETTER opportunity with a higher quality product! Have more questions? Feel free to contact me. It's a great time to be on the ground floor of what will soon be the biggest essential oil company in the market!

October Organizing

I love seeing things organized. A place for everything, and everything in it's place. Sometimes life gets busy & chaotic (as it's been around the last 4 months) and you start with putting something down where it doesn't go. Then you forget to put it away and pretty soon it starts snow balling! I'm following Becky's prompts this month for short 15 minute organizing challenges to get back on track. You can get more on this challenge series HERE on Becky's blog. Not to mention all the other great information she has to offer. :)

I'm playing catch-up with my posts. Luckily Day 1 was just an introduction with information on the challenge and how to share your picture progress with Becky and her followers via Pinterest and/or Instagram. You never know what other great ideas you might get just from viewing others' pictures.

Day 2 was a drawer. Becky provided some shirt-folding ideas to not only make more space in your dresser drawer but it's so much easier to see what you have. Below is my before and after of my shirt drawer. I discovered two things... okay three things. 1.) I now have room to get more shirts. Yay me! 2.) I apparently like grey. and burgundy. And 3.) I am beginning to acquire as many Oklahoma Sooner shirts as my husband, who is a die-hard fan of his home state's team. :)

Before I at least had them folded somewhat but all stacked on top of each like they were makes it impossible to know what my options are without taking several out to see what's underneath.

Following Becky's folding technique I can see them all and make a choice without having to take several out. 

Day 3 (today) was the Undies drawer. I already had my simple drawer organizers from the Dollar Tree and had it all nice and neat before. But of course in my rushed, busy life as of late with the medical care of my sweet little Abby, I let things get out of control. But she needed me. Below is my before and after pictures of the Undies drawer. In the process I purged old socks and undies that were getting pretty worn. I have a few more of these $1 drawer organizers that I look forward to using in another drawer soon. :)

My drawer organizer are under all that mess, I swear! But in my rushed time I felt successful to keep the laundry done, and put away. Who needs folded undies anyway? :)

But again, just like with the shirts drawer, I can see everything easily now I love the clean organized look.

Saying Goodbye

Our lives have recently been turned upside down with the loss of our precious Abby.

 Abby passed away two weeks ago on September 17th, just 3 weeks away from her 5th birthday. She wasn't just a pet to our family, she was our baby girl. We still cry daily and miss her terribly. The depth of our love is hard for some to understand. As is the lengths we went to, to try and save her life.

Abby somehow contracted a serious condition known as Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP. It's both an animal and human disease in which the immune system attacks the platelets. Often the source or 'reason' is not known. She was very sick and critical before we ever knew it. She never acted sick and was a lively as ever. She never acted sick until she was diagnosed and began treatment. We just noticed some red spots on her belly that we initially thought was a harmless rash but by the next day was bruising and very scary looking. These pictures are still painful to view, but doing so might help make others aware. If you ever see anything like this on your pet, please don't ignore it or assume it's just a rash or allergy to something.

Her treatment was very aggressive including high doses of steroids to suppress her immune system so her platelets would  begin rebuilding. She also had to take pepcid to help protect her stomach from the steroids, and medicine for the bleeding ulcer she had developed as well. After a week of these medicines the blood tests showed only a fraction of difference so a second immunosuppressive drug was added to her twice daily routine and a one time dose of chemo which, oddly enough has the side effect of telling the bone marrow to release a considerably larger supply of platelets. There was a risk with the Vincristine chemo drug of bone marrow suppression in which the bone marrow stops producing white and red blood cells, as well as platelets. She was so young and healthy up to this point and the treatments have worked (though not 100%) in large numbers of cases. I've always been one to educate myself on health issues and be well informed. I did my research for Abby as well. We chose to go ahead with the one time chemo treatment to try to get much needed platelets rushed into her system. She did develop bone marrow suppression and was hospitalized and given two blood transfusions to buy time and wait to see if the bone marrow resumed it's job after a few days. It did and we continued meds and weekly blood tests to monitor the slow but stead climb of the low levels.

Abby reached normal levels after a couple of long months of treatment. The vet began the long process of tapering off the steroids slowly and again monitoring her blood work to see if she would retain her normal number of platelets. The steroid battled constantly with the medication for her bleeding ulcer so it was a fight to try to get it healed. Unfortunately Abby developed Pancreatitis from all of the medication cocktails, specifically the steroids. She was hurting and didn't want to eat or drink and just wasn't acting like herself. She was hospitalized again for 4  more days and put on IV therapy with most of the medications on hold to let her recover from the painful pancreatitis. It was the only choice and a risk because of the potential plummet of her platelets with the sudden stop of the steroids. Abby did have a relapse and because she hadn't completely recovered 100% it proved to be a fatal relapse. The vet suggested another blood transfusion to maintain again and said that she has seen complete recoveries before after relapses and there was still a chance, given her young age. We again decided to go with the transfusion. But my last visit with her at the hospital she looked so tired, and miserable. All I could do was sit and hold her and cry. I couldn't bear the thought of losing her but I would never want to her to remain in pain and so sick, just for me.

After leaving her in the hands of some wonderful techs that last day I went home with only a vague sense of time and surroundings. I went to bed that night and prayed a painful, but sincere prayer. I prayed that if this was all too much for her and that if she wasn't to eventually survive this battle, then to take her now so her pain and sickness could end. I received a phone call at 5:14AM on Tuesday morning the 17th from the vet that she was gone.

I've never known such love of life and people. She absolutely LOVED belly kisses and was as smart as any young child. We spelled so many words around her because she was so smart! All I had to ask was "wanna kiss?" and she immediately rolled over for belly kisses. I still find it hard to believe she is gone. Sometimes when I come home from work I forget and look around, wondering why I don't see her running to greet me. And when I wake at night I look around the room to see where she is, because she isn't curled up next to me. We take things one day at a time and will no doubt be able to love another little fur baby one day. She was truly the light of our lives! I found out recently that Abigail means "father's joy". She couldn't have had a more fitting name as she brought her father (and mother) an abundance of joy daily. Her memory will continue to do so.

Rest in Peace little girl. We'll always love you!

Giving Abby her belly kisses.

Abby loved her toys, as you can see in the background. But she let you know when she needed your attention. And she always got what she wanted. ;)

Visiting Abby at the hospital. 

Pause, Fast Forward, Play

I had push Pause on the blog for a couple of months. Life stepped in and brought a whirlwind of change, totally out of the ordinary. That happens to all of us. My husband had a bypass surgery (femoral artery bypass). Can you believe they use polyester material to make prosthetic arteries these days? He's recovered and is doing fine but is was a rough little bit.

As you can see I've decided to change things around a bit on the blog. I am going for a softer feel these days. I think that's in part due to another BIG change in our lives. We are now Grammie & Grandpa! Our first grandchild was born in early March and things have been hopping! I'm working both on new blog colors and graphics and working on some digital scrapbook pages. I'll load a few of those I've done over the next few days but here is a quick sneak peak of the beautiful addition to our family. Meet our first grandchild.... our beautiful grandson... meet Matthew {aka Matty}

I need to finish my new blog button and post divider/signature. So those will go up later tonight or tomorrow. But for now, another little one is demanding some attention, so it's off of the computer for me for a bit. Our little Abby is done being patient with me. All of her toys you see scattered on the floor in the picture, have ceased to entertain her. :)

Kitchen Cabinets - Beginning Organization

In my last post I set myself some goals to be organizing my home, which will in turn create some much-needed organization in my life. This post was the beginning of my God-Sized Dream that I shared as I read and study with Holley Gerth and her readers. Organizing your house doesn't seem like much of a big dream to most people but it's what I need emotionally, mentally and spiritually... much more than physically. Let me explain why.

I read a few words recently posted by Becky on a great blog that I follow, Organizing Made Fun. I can't find the post now after stalking so many of her posts but it was something about the places her family has lived, both rentals and homes they have owned. She made a huge impact on me when she said even while living in a rental, she did what she was able to do to make that house their home. That was definitely inspiration to me because we live in a rental home. Because of health issues, my husband is disabled and isn't able to work now. If I was being realistic, renting is better for us right now. This allows us to not have the stress and worry of repairs and maintenance around the house. I've cheated myself out of enjoying that blessing for far to long.

We have lived here since 2006. It's not big but it's big enough for us. But because it isn't ours, and I plan to live in a home we own again one day... I've not allowed myself to feel "at home" here. My mindset has been, for a long time, that I'm leaving, I'm not staying here. In other words, "don't get too comfortable Diana, this isn't your home." And that's not a bad thing from the perspective of planning, dreaming, hoping for something more. But it's been bad for me. Because I make myself feel unsettled in this house, other things in my life feel unsettled. Because I'm always trying to get away, I miss the opportunity and potential I have for the here and now. I go through too many steps of making do... with where I live and how I live. And I'm tired of not feeling at home. So this God-Sized Dream of organizing... not only my home... but my life is a road I'm ready to travel on.

The first step photo I share in the last post isn't ready for and "After" post yet. I've decided to not only organize but rearrange. Some things in my home will find a new place to reside. Instead I'm showing another before and after cabinet space that I started with. It's not 100% complete but still a huge change. See for yourself...

BEFORE

AFTER

I found these pantry supply images and printed them on clear shipping labels that I picked up at WalMart. I have a few more to do. These were pre-made images but I have a few more I will make myself with Photoshop. This was a wonderful feeling to open the cabinet door and actually see everything on a shelf without digging behind things to see what I have and what I'm out of. And will make creating my grocery lists much easier. I can't wait to tackle another cabinet now. :)

My Mustard Seed Goal

I'm beginning the "Do What You Can" Plan and with the help of Holley Gerth's eBook I will be on the road to discovering and achieving my God-Sized plan.

My God-sized dream isn't anything that will make a big impact on anyone but me and my small home and family. I want an organized life. That's a big dream for a girl who likes "stuff". Maybe it's from growing up with very little. But when your surroundings are cluttered, your whole life feels cluttered. And when you're whole life feels cluttered, you can't be the person God means for you to be. And you can't accomplish the things he has for you to do. When there is so much to do, sometimes it's hard to know where to start. And that's where the breakdown occurs... you don't start. You spend your days sitting, and thinking about it but not very often acting on it. 

When change of any kind is needed, I find myself trying to look ahead to the end result. Not that the end result isn't worth the effort but knowing the distance between beginning and end... from A to Z... I feel overwhelmed. But I need to remind myself that there are many more letters before Z. If I can just look from A to B and succeed in that first step, it will be easier getting to the next. Start small. One step at a time.

My Mustard Seed Goal is to simply de-clutter and purge just one small area. Not even a whole room. I will share my first step, my step A tomorrow. I have one kitchen cabinet that makes me crazy. Who am I kidding! I have more than one. But I'll start with just one. I'll show you what it looks like now.

What a mess huh? Cookbooks, Tupperwear, paper plates & bowls, Pampered Chef prep bowls and chopper. ziploc bags. This will look totally different tomorrow! My goal is this one cabinet. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Sweet Inspiration

After seeing this recipe posted on Kevin & Amanda, it looked so good and so simple that I had to try it. I already had all of the ingredients needed, so within minutes I was in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of these easy Baby Cinnamon Buns.

How could I ignore this photo Amanda had posted? 

It is super easy and super sweet! Here is all you need:

1 can crescent rolls

1 stick of butter, softened (1/2 stick softened, half melted)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

4 tbsp heavy cream (or use 2 tbsp of milk + 1 tbsp butter)

I always have these ingredients on hand, except the crescent rolls, and I buy those fairly often. I'm thinking I'll be keeping them on hand a little more often.

I softened the butter in the microwave. I happen to have a "Soften" button on mine so that makes it easy but if you don't you could place it on a microwave safe dish and try 50% power for 15-20 seconds and  add a few minutes at a time until the butter is soft but not melted.  Continue with melting the rest of the butter. Mix the melted butter and brown sugar in a pie plate or round cake pan. Unroll the crescent rolls and pinch together seams. Spread the 1/2 stick of softened butter over the crescent roll dough. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture over the butter covered dough, and roll up into a log shape.

Slice the rolled dough into 8 cinnamon rolls. and placed into prepared dish for baking.

Bake in a preheated, 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Top with vanilla glaze by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and 4 tbsp heavy cream (or use 2 tbsp of milk + 1 tbsp butter)

These turned out perfectly! I forgot to add the butter with the milk (to replace the heavy cream) but it was just a little bit thinner glaze but was still very sweet and delicious. The butter and brown sugar bottom created a sweet chewy crust. It was the perfect sweet treat for Christmas Day brunch. 

I'll definitely be making these again! :)

A New Birth

With this new year, I am starting this new blog. I have been blogging over here for a little while but felt it was time for a change. I will eventually move some things to this new blog, though not everything. If you have read or followed posts from My Lifesong blog and here now, thank you for following me here. If you're new here and have not followed the old blog, then I welcome you as well to share in my puzzles of life. I'm glad to have you all here and look forward to sharing thoughts, ideas, crafts, recipes and other puzzles life gives  me to work on. I hope to join you in sharing your pieces of life as well. 

From our family to yours... 

Thankful for the gift of  new birth of my new blog and the birth of our Savior!

Emergency Preparedness

I've been MIA here for a while now. I have to admit... Facebook lured me away. I know a lot of bloggers maintain great attendance with both a blog and Facebook but I did not. I have been weening myself from way too much Facebook time after the election. I witnessed too much negativity in the midst of the campaigns. Voicing opinions and "Liking" various posts and statuses was harmless in itself. But I saw too many people taking it to a personal level... calling those of an opposite party names and demeaning them. I was heartbroken to see some posts I did. I decided I need less Facebook time and more blog time. I've missed this place. :)

In light of the tragedies as a result of Superstorm Sandy, I'm linking up and joining A Bowl Full Of Lemons in a series of posts on Emergency Preparedness.

This couldn't come at a better time, after feeling the earthquake shake my house here in eastern Kentucky this weekend. It was my first earthquake experience in my 44 years. And was quite eye opening for me. I didn't see things in the house shaking. Nothing fell off the walls. But my house moved back and forth a number of times.

I've been very blessed to have never experienced any natural disasters. I've never had a house fire. I've never been in a flood. I've never had tornado, hurricane or earthquake destroy my home and life. But I have watch the horror of others in recent times and can't help but wonder... will something happen here next? Will I or others around me close be in similar situations in the near future? Will I be prepared to face it? And my answer to myself is NO. I am not prepared for any of those events. I plan to change that. Join me in getting your home... family... and life prepared should a natural (or even man-made) disaster come your way.

Good Morning Girls!

Today I started the new "Proverbs 31 Woman" Bible Study with the Good Morning Girls! The idea of the Proverbs 31 "perfect woman" has always seemed so intimidating to me but, because I want to be the best wife, mother & daughter of Christ that I can be... I'm excited to study this mystery perfect woman, verse by verse and learn, not how to be perfect, but a better me. I have chosen to post my S.O.A.P. notes from today's first lesson. I'm sure future lessons won't be shared in their entirety because they will be much more personal to me. I hope you will choose to join in this study as well. All materials (eBook and Study Guide) are available to download FREE. Visit the Good Morning Girls site for your free download links.

Week 1: Monday

Read: Proverbs 31:1--‐2

Proverbs 31: One Virtue At A Time - pg 5

S - Write out the scripture passage for the day.

1.    The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2.    Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

O - Write down 1 or 2 observations from the passage.

King Lemuel was an answer to his mother's prayers. A child that she prayed she would have one day. She urged him to listen to some inspired teachings on what to look for in a wife.

A - Write down 1-2 applications from the passage.

My son is an answer to my prayers... someone I prayed that I would be blessed with one day. I want the same "perfect" woman/wife for him. Not perfect by the words standards, but perfect FOR HIM. Someone who will honor and compliment him.

P - Pray over what you learned from today’s passage.

Lord I pray for you guidance in teaching my son what to look for in a life mate. Teach me how to  lead him and prepare both our hearts for the lessons you want him know.

I've waited all week for this!

TGIF! But not because the weekend is here. Well that too... But I have waited all week to wear my new shoes on this "casual jeans day" at the office. I took my niece, Samantha, to K-Mart last Sunday for something specific. I hadn't shopped at K-Mart in a coon's age! (Don't ask me how long that is, but in Kentucky that's a LONG time!). So I was surprised when I saw these really cute ankle boots on clearance for $10!!

I couldn't resist. I didn't own any boots of any kind before. I've avoided that whole fashion statement most of my life. It's because of a condition I have known as FCS, better known as Fat Calf Syndrome. Even at my smallest size, and I have been small before, I have suffered from FCS.

But I thought what the heck... And tried on a pair. Or at least attempted to. My size 8 foot wouldn't fit in them because evidently it's spread to the top of my foot!? But a size 9 fit perfectly! Jacklyn Smith must use a different size chart because all of my other shoes still fit and feel fine.

My niece agreed with me that they looked so cute with the jeans I had on that I decided they were for me! And it's finally Friday so I can wear them to the office! I love them!!

One Thousand Gifts

It's been a year since I blogged. I had plenty to say but it's nothing anyone would care to read, I'm sure. I would have been mostly complaining about how unhappy and miserable I was about something... mainly my old job. So I chose instead to say nothing. Wasn't it Thumper on Bambi that quoted this advice from his mother... "If you can't say nothing nice, don't say anything at all."

I now have better things to say. I have a new job! I've really missed blogging and I'm not sure who will even read this after seeing nothing here for do long. (Is anyone still out there?)

I'm making an effort to find things to be positive about and grateful for. I found this wonderful app, "One Thousand Gifts" (available for iPhone and Android). You can share your daily "gift" of focus also through Facebook, Twitter, or Flickr. It can be media or text. I started my One Thousand Gifts focus with this picture of my son, Adam... taken by his girlfriend just the other day.

What gift are you thankful for today?

Living A Life Of Purpose

Image via Wikipedia
Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life was? If there was a particular cause or reason your are alive for? I've wondered about it from time to time. The thought comes to mind and I think about it a while. Then, as usual, life gets busy and I lay the thought aside, thinking that for now I'll continue my casual, daily Christian walk with no great focus on a "plan" or "mission". But I've come to think about it a lot more lately. And this time I find myself shoving aside some of the things that has distracted me in the past.


I've been talking to God about my purpose for a few days and this devotion was a helpful insight, right in line with my thoughts and prayers.


"If your life was condensed into one short sentence - what would be said of you? How our lives are summarized depends on the choices we make each day. We have the tendency to become distracted with cares and responsibilities. Those distractions keep us from our primary purpose - pleasing God." 


Reflection & Prayer: 
Devotion Focus: PURPOSE


Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6 


How will you be remembered? What is one sentence you could use to summarize your life so far? What might God want to change your life so that your life summary will be different? 


Excerpts taken from Busy Mom's Bible

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I've got my work cut out for me. I have a back yard that just screams for attention! I have small garden plans and look forward to getting started. Here is what I have to work with... oh, and don't judge me too harshly on these photos. I work full time, go to school, run the household (all the shopping, paying bills, most of the cooking and cleaning). I just haven't had the time to get to this part yet. ;-)

This shot is the far left corner of the back yard. The chain link fence needs some cleaning of all the vine overgrowth, as well as something done with that old rusty burn barrel. This corner will be the focus area of the garden. I'm thinking something with some height growing back there or some other way that might create some privacy. You see... the view I have from the back yard can be seen in this wider shot of the back yard below.

We have a lovely view of a 4-lane highway, complete with overpass over the highway. :(

I have this area in the back of the yard and some space along the wall of the detached garage you can see in the picture below.

So tell me... is it any wonder I never come back here to spend any time? Not real fond of watching traffic speeding up and down the highway. I'm hoping to change all that though and make some use of the space. I'm am starting to search for ideas, tips and inspiration. 

I just have a couple of little things I have to keep in mind...

This is not MY property but rented property (with approval for some gardening). That being said, of course I need to be thrifty and not put a lot of money into this. I just want something better to look at and use, but not sink a lot of money into property I don't own and will leave one day.

Anyone have any ideas? Pictures? Tips? Websites? Anything gardening to share with this newbie?

I'm hoping to grown a few vegetables (tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers) as well a floral gardening area to. I'd love to hear your ideas and welcome them!

Getting To Know You - Sunday



The Questions:

1. do you weigh yourself?

2. what's the nastiest thing you've ever eaten?

3. snail mail or email?

4. do you have any irrational fears...what are they?

5. do you play an instrument?

6. would you rather be bitten by a snake or attacked by a bear?

7. do you ever go braless in public?

8. today i am thankful for........................?

My Answers:

1. Do you weigh yourself?

Rarely. I know I'm staying about the same or if there is a change by my clothes and that's all I need to know. Numbers do not always indicate "health", not to the extreme people use them. And I choose health before obsession. :)

2. What's the nastiest thing you've ever eaten?

I have tasted a lot of things I didn't like but "nasty"? Hmmm I'd have to say a recent smoothie I tried. It was a mixture of a lot of good stuff but when you have fiber husk, and chia seeds not ground it's a nasty texture in your mouth.


3. Snail mail or email?

Email is convenient. You can access email from almost anywhere these days. But I love receiving a REAL LETTER from a friend or loved one in the mail box.


4. Do you have any irrational fears...what are they?

I don't know what's rational or irrational to any of you but I'm afraid of heights - terrible! To the point of getting queasy and feeling butterflies in my stomach even watching a movie with a scene from high up and the camera is looking down - Cliffhanger just about did me in.


5. Do you play an instrument?

Not now. I took piano lessons for 2 years in high school and loved it but never stuck with it after that.

6. Would you rather be bitten by a snake or attacked by a bear?

Bitten by a snake. It may or may not kill me but I know the bear would for sure. And a snake bite is less violent and would have to be less painful than being torn apart.


7. Do you ever go bra less in public?

Never. I could not pass that test.

8. Today i am thankful for........................?

my family - we're all close and get along (no family squabbling), my job - so many people don't have one, for a beautiful sunny day today

Run over to MannLand and link up and play along!

 

Getting To Know You - Sunday

It's time for this week's edition of Getting To Know You!

Here are the questions...

1. what inspires you?

2. what was the last thing you bought yourself?

3. would you rather watch a movie in a theater or from the comfort of your own home?

4. household chore you don't mind doing?

5. coffee or tea?

6. what could you eat every day and not get sick of??

7. what's the last book you read?

8. do you think you look you "look" your age?

And here are my answers...

1. what inspires you?

Progess, my family, and seeing the good things others do... that inspires me to do and give as well.

2. what was the last thing you bought yourself?

About a month ago I finally decided on my "joint-occasion" gift. Some years I choose to combine my Jan 20th anniversary with my Jan 23rd birthday (or for something bigger I might have been dreaming about I might add in Valentine's Day on Feb 14th *wink*). This year I decided on a new 42" Vizio LED TV and a new stand for the living room. LOVE IT! :)


3. would you rather watch a movie in a theater or from the comfort of your own home?

I enjoyed the theater for years but I really do enjoy the privacy and comfort of my own home now. Is that I sign of getting older? (yikes!)


4. household chore you don't mind doing?

I don't mind laundry. Most of the actual 'work' is done by the machines. I love the smell of fresh laundry from the dryer. And the folding is something I can do... while watching a movie from my home if I want to. :)


5. coffee or tea?

I hate tea! But I LOVE my coffee! My sweet hubby fixes and brings to me my morning cup every morning to get me going. Then I will have 1 or maybe 2 more cups through the day at the office. He only likes one brand and 'flavor' (Maxwell House Columbian Supreme) and I love it too. But I wouldn't mind experimenting (like I have at the office) with some other brews with a new Keurig. That is on my gift list now. :)


6. what could you eat every day and not get sick of??

I have gotten tired of a lot of stuff over time that I have been stuck on. So I don't know if anything would last indefinitely. Lately though I have had to have my piece of Sourdough bread toasted with butter at least once a day. I love that stuff!


7. what's the last book you read?

The last book I finished was Darkest Hour, the 5th in the Cutler series by V.C. Andrews. Love her stuff! Now I'm reading Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.

 
8. do you think you look you "look" your age?

I suppose. I don't think I look older. Maybe somedays when I'm not feeling my best and don't fix myself up but mostly I do.

It's your turn! Stop over and link up at MannLand5 and play along! Have a great day and week! 

 

Smile! You may be on Candid Camera

I am convinced the post office in my small town is messing with me.

When I receive a package that is too large for my post office mailbox, I receive a key in my small box for a large lock box that holds my bigger package - 
similar to this one...

Easy enough to see that you need to obtain your package from locker #18, right?

 

 

 

Twice now, in the last two weeks, I have received a key like this one in my mailbox for parcel pickup...

After the second time (yesterday), I almost looked around for the hidden cameras, as I started trying to unlock random lockers, hoping my un-labled little key will fit one of them. Do they really not see the problem with continuing to use and un-labled key? Or do they really just not care that I have better things to do with my time than stand around going from locker to locker trying to find one that matches my key???

 

 

A Love-Hate Relationship

I have to admit... I have an obsession with magazines! Not just any magazine but my faves that I've share with you before. I love to lay back, relax and de-stress with some good magazines. I love to read a good book but my magazines serve a purpose (or two) that a book cannot.I got the two newest issues of some of my subscriptions yesterday.

They are a great source of inspiration. I love looking through Country Sampler or Better Homes & Gardens if I'm needing some home decor ideas. Taste of Home and Food Network magazines give me some great recipes to try when I'm tired of fixing the same old things. And then my crafty side loves Paper Crafts.

I also like that I can finish articles of the magazines in a short time. A book goes on for a while, and I love that a story takes a long time to end. But when I have short break of time here and there... say a break at work or while sitting in the doctor's office waiting room... I like to get finished with an article and get my brain thinking on it and how to act on what I've read. 

But there is one thing I HATE about my magazines! These little guys...

 I can't sit and enjoy a minute of my magazines until I go through each one... at least 2 (maybe 3 times) and pull out all the reply cards and inserts in each one. I can't stand that a magazine can't lay flat on the table where I'm reading, because of a card a few pages ahead raises the pages. Crazy pet peeve, I know but it's one that makes me crazy! I don't know anyone else that feels this way about them.

Does this bother anyone else but me? Do you have any unusual pet peeves that you feel you are the only one that deals with them?