Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Homeschooling
We have made it through the first two weeks of homeschooling! YAY!
Although we have some things to iron out, we are both enjoying it. The program we went through this year is a lot of fun and allows her to learn at her own pace...and at her pace, she might be in high school next year! haha
It sure has kept us busy! I rearranged my work schedule to opening hours and closing hours, which will take some getting used to, but we have the rest of the day for schooling, museums, zoos, parks, etc.
It is working out quite nicely so far.
Yesterday she had her 2nd Grade DIBELS tests. She was supposed to read about 40 nonsense, made up words and she read 111. She was supposed to read real stories at about 50 words per minute and she read 110. I am so proud of her!!!!!
Although we have some things to iron out, we are both enjoying it. The program we went through this year is a lot of fun and allows her to learn at her own pace...and at her pace, she might be in high school next year! haha
It sure has kept us busy! I rearranged my work schedule to opening hours and closing hours, which will take some getting used to, but we have the rest of the day for schooling, museums, zoos, parks, etc.
It is working out quite nicely so far.
Yesterday she had her 2nd Grade DIBELS tests. She was supposed to read about 40 nonsense, made up words and she read 111. She was supposed to read real stories at about 50 words per minute and she read 110. I am so proud of her!!!!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Stuff to See
I added a new link to the bottom of the page. BRITT WIKSTROM
She is my Aunt in Holland. She is a sculptor...Check out her site.
Don't forget to glance at the others too!
She is my Aunt in Holland. She is a sculptor...Check out her site.
Don't forget to glance at the others too!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chinese Chicken
You know you are having a bad day when even your fortune cookies let you have it. Three times in a row going to the local Chinese restaurant I had some fortune cookies that were well, a little less than encouraging.
The first one I got said "Attend to business today. Leave that street-side flower alone."
Well that's just great!
The next one said "Your lips are moving but nobody is listening."
How nice is that!?!
The last one said "It's over your head, You need professional help."
Is someone trying to tell me something?
The first one I got said "Attend to business today. Leave that street-side flower alone."
Well that's just great!
The next one said "Your lips are moving but nobody is listening."
How nice is that!?!
The last one said "It's over your head, You need professional help."
Is someone trying to tell me something?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
So It Has Been A While
Well, Bailey has been home for a week now. I have enjoyed every minute of having her home!
I haven't had much to say since she has been back because we have been working on getting back to normal, but I have had several things that had come to mind over the past week. Just can't seem to remember what they all were now.
We enjoyed seeing Grammy and Pappaw while they were out, but there were so many things that I would have loved to show them that I didn't have the chance. Ah well, next time maybe a little more.
Bailey loves her room. I didn't get the photo I was expecting to get when she walked in because there was so much stuff for her to look at that she wasn't sure what to do with herself. :) It was terribly adorable. The bed, of course, was the first thing she saw and someone had to mention the walls to her. She kept looking around and seeing this and that, and when they said "did you see the walls?" she gasped and said "THEY'RE PAINTED!!!" I wish everyone could have seen it.
We spent a very nice morning at the park and played, walked around the lake following the mama duck and her little babies. She tolerated us quite well. The babies were so cute to watch with their little feet in the water, watching and learning.
Ah, it has been a very nice week.
I haven't had much to say since she has been back because we have been working on getting back to normal, but I have had several things that had come to mind over the past week. Just can't seem to remember what they all were now.
We enjoyed seeing Grammy and Pappaw while they were out, but there were so many things that I would have loved to show them that I didn't have the chance. Ah well, next time maybe a little more.
Bailey loves her room. I didn't get the photo I was expecting to get when she walked in because there was so much stuff for her to look at that she wasn't sure what to do with herself. :) It was terribly adorable. The bed, of course, was the first thing she saw and someone had to mention the walls to her. She kept looking around and seeing this and that, and when they said "did you see the walls?" she gasped and said "THEY'RE PAINTED!!!" I wish everyone could have seen it.
We spent a very nice morning at the park and played, walked around the lake following the mama duck and her little babies. She tolerated us quite well. The babies were so cute to watch with their little feet in the water, watching and learning.
Ah, it has been a very nice week.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Easy Come, Easy Go
When it rains, it pours...Everything happens in threes, etc. etc. etc.
Well this week has topped anything in a long time. I can still find the humor in the situation, but am frustrated at the same time. Earlier this week we had to fix the brakes on my mom's car, plus it had a strange...what I can only describe as a whirring sound and we figured out it was the transmission. Today while I was working, my computer kept shutting down on me. I figured it got hot or something, but it had never done that before, and it did it to me twice today. Well I left it off to hopefully cool down if that was the issue, and now it won't turn on at all. Now I get to spend the day taking everything out and doing some maintenance and hopefully that will be enough, but I have to do something fast since that is how I work!
Before I said I can find the humor in it all. I have to laugh because it just simply never fails. Well everything happens for a reason, and tomorrow my Bailey is coming home after being gone all month so I knew I would be too distracted at work tomorrow anyway. This must be GOD telling me that I get to spend some time with her! :o) It is pretty funny because it's always something, but it all works out in the end one way or another. I'm certainly not going to let all this ruin my day.
As for the cost of all this, we are not amused.
Well this week has topped anything in a long time. I can still find the humor in the situation, but am frustrated at the same time. Earlier this week we had to fix the brakes on my mom's car, plus it had a strange...what I can only describe as a whirring sound and we figured out it was the transmission. Today while I was working, my computer kept shutting down on me. I figured it got hot or something, but it had never done that before, and it did it to me twice today. Well I left it off to hopefully cool down if that was the issue, and now it won't turn on at all. Now I get to spend the day taking everything out and doing some maintenance and hopefully that will be enough, but I have to do something fast since that is how I work!
Before I said I can find the humor in it all. I have to laugh because it just simply never fails. Well everything happens for a reason, and tomorrow my Bailey is coming home after being gone all month so I knew I would be too distracted at work tomorrow anyway. This must be GOD telling me that I get to spend some time with her! :o) It is pretty funny because it's always something, but it all works out in the end one way or another. I'm certainly not going to let all this ruin my day.
As for the cost of all this, we are not amused.
Monday, July 7, 2008
What's Cookin'
Well, it's summer. Kids are out of school. Parks, pools, picnics...I love BBQing!
I thought now would be a good time to share a few of my favorite grilling recipes of my own concoction. I rarely measure and I rarely use recipe books so everything is basically added to taste.
This idea is super simple but OH so tasty!
Gourmet Stuffed Cheeseburgers:
Clean semi-lean ground beef. Natural, clean beef tastes the best. Most of the fat will drip away leaving a good, juicy hamburger. Too lean will leave it dry and tough.
Mix together butter, cream cheese, fresh basil, crushed garlic and salt and pepper in a bowl and put back into the refrigerator to firm up.
Make hamburger patties as thin as you can without leaving any holes.
Place a spoonful of the mixture in the middle of the patty and place another patty on top, pinching the edges together to seal and shape. If there are any cracks or holes the mixture will leak out of the hamburger. You can fix any holes you see with a little extra meat. Set the stuffed patties aside to settle and firm up while you light the grill.
Place a few slices of brie cheese on top of the cooked burgers and serve in a buttered, toasted/grilled bun.
For a side dish, slice some red potatoes into small chunks. Toss in a bag with olive oil, fresh chopped rosemary and garlic until well coated. Place on a cookie sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 until golden brown, flipping occasionally.
For dessert, puree together a small cantaloupe, some mixed berries such as blueberries, raspberries and marionberries, and a peach. Add some sugar to taste and freeze until slushy but firm, stirring occasionally so it doesn't get too hard. (Also makes a fabulous cocktail if adding vodka or rum)
If you try it, be sure to let me know what you think!
I thought now would be a good time to share a few of my favorite grilling recipes of my own concoction. I rarely measure and I rarely use recipe books so everything is basically added to taste.
This idea is super simple but OH so tasty!
Gourmet Stuffed Cheeseburgers:
Clean semi-lean ground beef. Natural, clean beef tastes the best. Most of the fat will drip away leaving a good, juicy hamburger. Too lean will leave it dry and tough.
Mix together butter, cream cheese, fresh basil, crushed garlic and salt and pepper in a bowl and put back into the refrigerator to firm up.
Make hamburger patties as thin as you can without leaving any holes.
Place a spoonful of the mixture in the middle of the patty and place another patty on top, pinching the edges together to seal and shape. If there are any cracks or holes the mixture will leak out of the hamburger. You can fix any holes you see with a little extra meat. Set the stuffed patties aside to settle and firm up while you light the grill.
Place a few slices of brie cheese on top of the cooked burgers and serve in a buttered, toasted/grilled bun.
For a side dish, slice some red potatoes into small chunks. Toss in a bag with olive oil, fresh chopped rosemary and garlic until well coated. Place on a cookie sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 350 until golden brown, flipping occasionally.
For dessert, puree together a small cantaloupe, some mixed berries such as blueberries, raspberries and marionberries, and a peach. Add some sugar to taste and freeze until slushy but firm, stirring occasionally so it doesn't get too hard. (Also makes a fabulous cocktail if adding vodka or rum)
If you try it, be sure to let me know what you think!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Today is Extra Special!
Today I feel like posting two posts. Woo Woo!
The 4th Of July! Independence Day! The day we celebrate our independence as a nation...oh boy, I almost started off on another direction than I intended entirely. We will save that one until Friday.
Tonight I'm sitting here listening to fire crackers, poppers, those loud and obnoxious, not to mention dangerous articles of entertainment we use to celebrate the 4th of July. Call me an old fogey, a square, a wet blanket, call me what you will but I hate those things! I'm not against them entirely. I think they can be beautiful and a lot of fun. I remember my Sister and I would go with our Dad to the big shows, sit in the back of the truck and eat our Taco Bell or Kentucky Fried Chicken and watch the fabulous displays...the bigger the better! If one happened to be directly over our heads, my sister would freak out, I thought it was pretty funny.
Well, if I thought that people were responsible enough to use them, I wouldn't mind so much, but they aren't. It's the few stupid ones that spoil it for the rest of us. For weeks before the actual date I am up all hours of the night listening to them going off all around town. Animals barking from the sounds, not to mention the ones that get maimed or killed by the horrid beasts that think it's pretty funny to tie one to an animal's tail and watch it panic until it's burned, has a heart attack, or depending on what they tied to it, explodes. Last fall there were some old enough to know better teen punks running around tossing lit fire crackers into the dried leaves around the neighborhood. Kids get a hold of them and think they are fun and pretty to watch but end up blowing off faces and hands either from their playing with them directly or the ones with defects that go off too soon, or too late and they try to light them again.
Then, we could even go a step farther and talk about the ones who drink while playing with these destructive detonators. There is just too much to be said about them. I couldn't tell you the percentage of people that drink while doing this, but I would venture to guess it's pretty high. People love to find excuses to get drunk and holidays are the best ones. Mix the two and you are only asking for trouble. So what's the answer? They'll drink if they go to the shows and they'll just drive drunk which isn't any safer than the firecrackers themselves. Is there always a lesser of two evils? I don't think so.
How do you feel about firecrackers? Innocent fun or not to be left to the careless and irresponsible? It's impossible to make available only to responsible adults, so do you support a ban on them? Do you think that there should be stricter enforcement of laws regarding using them before/after the holiday or very late at night? Should people be able to do what they want to do because it's just not possible to regulate and our forces should be worried about more important crimes?
For the animals and the people who have to work in the morning everywhere...I vote we leave it to the professionals.
The 4th Of July! Independence Day! The day we celebrate our independence as a nation...oh boy, I almost started off on another direction than I intended entirely. We will save that one until Friday.
Tonight I'm sitting here listening to fire crackers, poppers, those loud and obnoxious, not to mention dangerous articles of entertainment we use to celebrate the 4th of July. Call me an old fogey, a square, a wet blanket, call me what you will but I hate those things! I'm not against them entirely. I think they can be beautiful and a lot of fun. I remember my Sister and I would go with our Dad to the big shows, sit in the back of the truck and eat our Taco Bell or Kentucky Fried Chicken and watch the fabulous displays...the bigger the better! If one happened to be directly over our heads, my sister would freak out, I thought it was pretty funny.
Well, if I thought that people were responsible enough to use them, I wouldn't mind so much, but they aren't. It's the few stupid ones that spoil it for the rest of us. For weeks before the actual date I am up all hours of the night listening to them going off all around town. Animals barking from the sounds, not to mention the ones that get maimed or killed by the horrid beasts that think it's pretty funny to tie one to an animal's tail and watch it panic until it's burned, has a heart attack, or depending on what they tied to it, explodes. Last fall there were some old enough to know better teen punks running around tossing lit fire crackers into the dried leaves around the neighborhood. Kids get a hold of them and think they are fun and pretty to watch but end up blowing off faces and hands either from their playing with them directly or the ones with defects that go off too soon, or too late and they try to light them again.
Then, we could even go a step farther and talk about the ones who drink while playing with these destructive detonators. There is just too much to be said about them. I couldn't tell you the percentage of people that drink while doing this, but I would venture to guess it's pretty high. People love to find excuses to get drunk and holidays are the best ones. Mix the two and you are only asking for trouble. So what's the answer? They'll drink if they go to the shows and they'll just drive drunk which isn't any safer than the firecrackers themselves. Is there always a lesser of two evils? I don't think so.
How do you feel about firecrackers? Innocent fun or not to be left to the careless and irresponsible? It's impossible to make available only to responsible adults, so do you support a ban on them? Do you think that there should be stricter enforcement of laws regarding using them before/after the holiday or very late at night? Should people be able to do what they want to do because it's just not possible to regulate and our forces should be worried about more important crimes?
For the animals and the people who have to work in the morning everywhere...I vote we leave it to the professionals.
OK, OK, Easy Money Revealed...
They are everywhere...sites that say you can make $175/hour in your spare time with, you have seen it, PAID SURVEYS!
Paid survey sites are basically just affiliate sites. They get paid for everyone they get to sign up for an offer, and to do that they offer you a small portion of that back, basically.
It is great for a quick extra few bucks but don't think you'll make a living off of online surveys. Chances are you have already tried most of the offers already, you probably did them on your own and didn't get anything for it, but you won't get the money for it if you try again through a survey site because it only applies to new customers.
You can sign up for several sites and figure out which ones pay the most, but the one I found to be the better one is www.vindale.com. They pay you via paypal or check. Watch the payouts though. Sometimes they will say you earn $30 for a survey but to sign up for the offer you have to pay out $28 and you really only earn $2. Vindale will clearly state that in the offer, but sometimes it's really not worth it. The surveys are also pretty lame. They don't give you any opportunity to state an opinion and not all of the questions are relevant to every offer. They don't really want your opinion, they want you to sign up for the offer. There were also a few times that I had to dispute a survey because it took far too long to get the credit so be sure to save your emails and any other confirmation you may get until after you get your credit.
Paid survey sites are basically just affiliate sites. They get paid for everyone they get to sign up for an offer, and to do that they offer you a small portion of that back, basically.
It is great for a quick extra few bucks but don't think you'll make a living off of online surveys. Chances are you have already tried most of the offers already, you probably did them on your own and didn't get anything for it, but you won't get the money for it if you try again through a survey site because it only applies to new customers.
You can sign up for several sites and figure out which ones pay the most, but the one I found to be the better one is www.vindale.com. They pay you via paypal or check. Watch the payouts though. Sometimes they will say you earn $30 for a survey but to sign up for the offer you have to pay out $28 and you really only earn $2. Vindale will clearly state that in the offer, but sometimes it's really not worth it. The surveys are also pretty lame. They don't give you any opportunity to state an opinion and not all of the questions are relevant to every offer. They don't really want your opinion, they want you to sign up for the offer. There were also a few times that I had to dispute a survey because it took far too long to get the credit so be sure to save your emails and any other confirmation you may get until after you get your credit.
Surveys Can Wait
I have had so many thoughts and ideas swirling around in my head this week it's hard to sit down and funnel them down to one little category, so the paid surveys will have to wait for now...Right now, I'm thinking about natural selection.
Tonight a guy walked right out in front of my mother's car, in the dark so he was barely visible, yet after he got into his friend's car and they followed her to where she parked, THEY yelled at HER saying "what are you stupid?" and "Are you trying to run over my friend?"
So after we get home, we read an article about an unfortunate, although nonetheless STUPID 17 year old kid that jumps 2, that's TWO fences into a restricted area where he got decapitated by a roller coaster. The saddest thing about all of this is that it seems to happen more often than not anymore. People have become so ... I don't even have the word for it ... They have become selfish, indifferent, greedy, stupid, unthinking... what's the word I'm looking for, anyone?
It happens far too often anymore. We think that we are infallible, omnipotent, nothing will happen to me, if it does, I can just sue. Well, frankly, I'm so tired of it. There are reasons they have fences, let alone TWO of them to keep you out, there are reasons they have laws and signs and regulations and YES they apply to YOU TOO! We could even get into the political side of this but I won't.
I'll tell you what though, today, you break into my house, I shoot to kill, not wound or maim because I will not get sued for protecting my house. Society today, in this country, has become a joke around the world and I don't blame them for laughing. We have become a society of lazy, stupid, selfish and pathetic people. I mean really, look at who we have as people we look up to today...Paris Hilton? OMG! Celebrities who can't seem to stay out of jail, who can't stay sober or even put together a complete sentence...we are pathetic...I admit it! Since when has it been cool to race each other to rehab?
It is embarrasing! But I tell you this, I don't believe in evolution, but I do believe in natural selection.
Tonight a guy walked right out in front of my mother's car, in the dark so he was barely visible, yet after he got into his friend's car and they followed her to where she parked, THEY yelled at HER saying "what are you stupid?" and "Are you trying to run over my friend?"
So after we get home, we read an article about an unfortunate, although nonetheless STUPID 17 year old kid that jumps 2, that's TWO fences into a restricted area where he got decapitated by a roller coaster. The saddest thing about all of this is that it seems to happen more often than not anymore. People have become so ... I don't even have the word for it ... They have become selfish, indifferent, greedy, stupid, unthinking... what's the word I'm looking for, anyone?
It happens far too often anymore. We think that we are infallible, omnipotent, nothing will happen to me, if it does, I can just sue. Well, frankly, I'm so tired of it. There are reasons they have fences, let alone TWO of them to keep you out, there are reasons they have laws and signs and regulations and YES they apply to YOU TOO! We could even get into the political side of this but I won't.
I'll tell you what though, today, you break into my house, I shoot to kill, not wound or maim because I will not get sued for protecting my house. Society today, in this country, has become a joke around the world and I don't blame them for laughing. We have become a society of lazy, stupid, selfish and pathetic people. I mean really, look at who we have as people we look up to today...Paris Hilton? OMG! Celebrities who can't seem to stay out of jail, who can't stay sober or even put together a complete sentence...we are pathetic...I admit it! Since when has it been cool to race each other to rehab?
It is embarrasing! But I tell you this, I don't believe in evolution, but I do believe in natural selection.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The A List
Well here it is. Although it is just a small list to start you out, there are many more companies out there that hire at home workers.
www.alpineaccess.com
www.teletech.com / www.hirepoint.com
www.cloud10corp.com
www.teamdoubleclick.com
www.vipdesk.com
www.workathomeagents.com
I have an extensive list compiled from many hours, days, weeks, months, even years of research by myself and others.
Some good resource sites:
www.wahm.com
www.msvas.com
www.mymommybiz.com
www.womenforhire.com
How to find home based jobs in the big job search engines:
When searching on sites like monster.com and hotjobs.com, use keywords like "virtual" and "telecommute" and "home-based." There are many more companies now that offer positions you can do at home at least part of the time.
How to stay safe and avoid the scams:
Watch out for fees. If it is a legitimate job, they pay you. You should not have to pay to get a job. There is a catch to that though. Sometimes, you do have to pay for things like your own headset, you are responsible for your phone and internet connections, programs, etc.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Get rich quick schemes are all over the internet with claims of making more money in a weekend, sitting on their hammock on their own private island, than you do in five years. 99% of those sites are just trying to sell you their "secret" which, in reality, is just the secret of selling the secret. That's it. You get a "free website" to sell a free website to sell a free website...
Next: Secret Shopping and Paid Surveys
www.alpineaccess.com
www.teletech.com / www.hirepoint.com
www.cloud10corp.com
www.teamdoubleclick.com
www.vipdesk.com
www.workathomeagents.com
I have an extensive list compiled from many hours, days, weeks, months, even years of research by myself and others.
Some good resource sites:
www.wahm.com
www.msvas.com
www.mymommybiz.com
www.womenforhire.com
How to find home based jobs in the big job search engines:
When searching on sites like monster.com and hotjobs.com, use keywords like "virtual" and "telecommute" and "home-based." There are many more companies now that offer positions you can do at home at least part of the time.
How to stay safe and avoid the scams:
Watch out for fees. If it is a legitimate job, they pay you. You should not have to pay to get a job. There is a catch to that though. Sometimes, you do have to pay for things like your own headset, you are responsible for your phone and internet connections, programs, etc.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Get rich quick schemes are all over the internet with claims of making more money in a weekend, sitting on their hammock on their own private island, than you do in five years. 99% of those sites are just trying to sell you their "secret" which, in reality, is just the secret of selling the secret. That's it. You get a "free website" to sell a free website to sell a free website...
Next: Secret Shopping and Paid Surveys
Friday, June 20, 2008
Rising Prices
With gas prices the way they are, lots of people are trying to find ways to work from home or make a fast buck. The biggest problem with that is that they are so willing to try anything that they jump at every offer out there. Here's the catch...There are many websites, telemarketers and even mailings out there that are bogus and once you fall for one of the phony offers not only could your credit be ruined but your entire identity could be stolen and it can take years to repair the damage.
I think now is a good time to start a discussion on how to find legitimate ways to earn a little extra money to fill up that gas tank, and how to spot those scams and avoid the traps.
There are far too many options out there and you will have to do some research but I will try to get you on track to finding those opportunities. Lets start.
I work for a company called Alpine Access. They started here in Colorado but have grown and add more states all the time. You'll have to see if they are available in your area yet but you can go to www.alpineaccess.com to find out. They are a home based customer service company with many portfolios to choose from, from temporary part time positions to full time positions.
There are several companies that have this kind of work available, the biggest differences are that some of them require you to be a "independent contractor" where you are responsible for your taxes and a DBA name and tax id. Others are the employer and you are a real employee so you get a paycheck and they do the withholdings and all the behind the scenes work.
On average, the pay is between $8-$12/hour but you can find more or less depending on the service you are providing.
Keep in mind you don't have to fill the tank and send the kids off to day care! You do, however, have to ensure a quiet, distraction free work place. Even though you work from home, you can't go screaming at the kids, have the dogs barking, radio/tv blaring, etc. If you don't take it seriously, you'll miss out on the opportunity and have to get right back in the rush hour of that good ol rat race.
Next time: A list of some of the companies that hire at home professionals and how to find them yourself.
I think now is a good time to start a discussion on how to find legitimate ways to earn a little extra money to fill up that gas tank, and how to spot those scams and avoid the traps.
There are far too many options out there and you will have to do some research but I will try to get you on track to finding those opportunities. Lets start.
I work for a company called Alpine Access. They started here in Colorado but have grown and add more states all the time. You'll have to see if they are available in your area yet but you can go to www.alpineaccess.com to find out. They are a home based customer service company with many portfolios to choose from, from temporary part time positions to full time positions.
There are several companies that have this kind of work available, the biggest differences are that some of them require you to be a "independent contractor" where you are responsible for your taxes and a DBA name and tax id. Others are the employer and you are a real employee so you get a paycheck and they do the withholdings and all the behind the scenes work.
On average, the pay is between $8-$12/hour but you can find more or less depending on the service you are providing.
Keep in mind you don't have to fill the tank and send the kids off to day care! You do, however, have to ensure a quiet, distraction free work place. Even though you work from home, you can't go screaming at the kids, have the dogs barking, radio/tv blaring, etc. If you don't take it seriously, you'll miss out on the opportunity and have to get right back in the rush hour of that good ol rat race.
Next time: A list of some of the companies that hire at home professionals and how to find them yourself.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Support Our Troops
I received an email the other day about prayer and support for our troops in Iraq. As that also applies to all our troops every day, every where, it specifically mentions the weather they have to contend with in the hot, dry desert of Iraq. Not even technically summer yet, the average temperature this week is over 110 degrees, and with all the gear they have to wear add at least another 10 degrees to that!
While we are sitting in our cozy little air conditioned homes with our iced tea and stocked full refrigerators, swimming pools, cold showers, sprinklers, etc complaining about how we just can't stand it, remember regardless of whether you support the war or not, our troops still NEED our support!
So instead of whining about the war and bad mouthing the soldiers, let's try to show some gratitude for the brave men and women fighting for your right to even do that. There are so many things we take for granted and won't even realize it until we no longer have those things.
Some people would call me a hypocrite saying "Who are you? What do you know?" You are right. I turned on my air conditioner this morning. I complain about the heat, I'm too tired, or even if my computer isn't fast enough today, but not one day goes by that I don't think about and appreciate my ability to do so and remember who makes that possible.
Here are a few good links to help show our appreciation...just to name a few. There are many more out there.
Troops Support
Books For Soldiers
Treats For Troops
Gratitude Campaign
Armed Forces Tribute
While we are sitting in our cozy little air conditioned homes with our iced tea and stocked full refrigerators, swimming pools, cold showers, sprinklers, etc complaining about how we just can't stand it, remember regardless of whether you support the war or not, our troops still NEED our support!
So instead of whining about the war and bad mouthing the soldiers, let's try to show some gratitude for the brave men and women fighting for your right to even do that. There are so many things we take for granted and won't even realize it until we no longer have those things.
Some people would call me a hypocrite saying "Who are you? What do you know?" You are right. I turned on my air conditioner this morning. I complain about the heat, I'm too tired, or even if my computer isn't fast enough today, but not one day goes by that I don't think about and appreciate my ability to do so and remember who makes that possible.
Here are a few good links to help show our appreciation...just to name a few. There are many more out there.
Troops Support
Books For Soldiers
Treats For Troops
Gratitude Campaign
Armed Forces Tribute
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Full Moons and Superstitions
Have you ever pondered on the possibility of truths in various superstitions? Where did they come from, why do so many people believe some of what might be considered the silliest notions? Today, I'm thinking about the full moon and it's effect (or lack thereof) it has on our behaviors. There have been many studies on such things and results would suggest that the moon really has no significant correlation to human behaviors. Why then do we still believe that people act, say and do things they would not normally do when it's a full moon?
Today happens to be a full moon. I work as a Customer Service Rep and answer calls all day long, and I would say today was full of strange, unusual, some even crazy calls. Coincidence?
So here is really the question of the day. Were the callers really unusually nutty today...or was I just more inclined to pay attention to the strange ones because I knew it was a full moon and not pay much attention to the ones in between that weren't unusual?
I'm not even sure anything I just said made much sense...maybe it's the full moon talking...
Nah!
Today happens to be a full moon. I work as a Customer Service Rep and answer calls all day long, and I would say today was full of strange, unusual, some even crazy calls. Coincidence?
So here is really the question of the day. Were the callers really unusually nutty today...or was I just more inclined to pay attention to the strange ones because I knew it was a full moon and not pay much attention to the ones in between that weren't unusual?
I'm not even sure anything I just said made much sense...maybe it's the full moon talking...
Nah!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Remodeling
Well it took 4 days just to get that darned stinkin' wallpaper border off the walls in my daughter's room. Just the border! I think they stuck it up there with super glue. Nevertheless, it's done, painted an adorably sweet pink and green and she now has a real bed! I'm so excited! I know she will love her room when she gets home from her visit with her Grammy and Dad.
I took the doors off the closet and made it a little reading nook with bookshelves and all her books, and put flower garland around the door frame. I got her some underbed boxes for storage of her toys and things...any extra junk will go to the garage sale this summer or the kids room at the club house.
When she gets home I am going to go into the room, close the door and get the camera ready for her face when she walks in and sees it for the first time. I'll be sure to post it here!
I don't know if I can wait that long!
I took the doors off the closet and made it a little reading nook with bookshelves and all her books, and put flower garland around the door frame. I got her some underbed boxes for storage of her toys and things...any extra junk will go to the garage sale this summer or the kids room at the club house.
When she gets home I am going to go into the room, close the door and get the camera ready for her face when she walks in and sees it for the first time. I'll be sure to post it here!
I don't know if I can wait that long!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Talk About Issues
Well, my daughter is now 7 years old and sleeps on the floor. She used to roll around so much that she always fell out of bed so she is on several very nice layers of memory foam. I had it set up sticking out of her closet with all of her stuffed animals on the shelf above and little white lights around the pole. All in all it was a very cozy set up, and when she wanted to have her friends over, we could just roll up the pads into the closet and shut the doors.
Well, she doesn't roll nearly as much anymore, so I decided to replace those pads with a real bed!
While she is in North Carolina and Virginia this month, I will be scraping wallpaper, painting, cleaning, decorating and hoping to have a wonderful surprise for her when she gets home..........which has already become a whole 'nother issue.
Anyway, I can see it now, forget the walking uphill both ways....when she grows up she can tell people that she used to sleep on the floor in the closet. Talk about issues!
Well, she doesn't roll nearly as much anymore, so I decided to replace those pads with a real bed!
While she is in North Carolina and Virginia this month, I will be scraping wallpaper, painting, cleaning, decorating and hoping to have a wonderful surprise for her when she gets home..........which has already become a whole 'nother issue.
Anyway, I can see it now, forget the walking uphill both ways....when she grows up she can tell people that she used to sleep on the floor in the closet. Talk about issues!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Start It Out Right
Did you know...
The best starting word in the game of Scrabble is MUZJIKS?
It will get you 128 points and start you out on the right foot.
By the way, the definition is: A Russian Peasant
You be sure to let me know when you actually get those letters and remember to use them. ;o)
Up for a Scrabble game with me? Join me on facebook
The best starting word in the game of Scrabble is MUZJIKS?
It will get you 128 points and start you out on the right foot.
By the way, the definition is: A Russian Peasant
You be sure to let me know when you actually get those letters and remember to use them. ;o)
Up for a Scrabble game with me? Join me on facebook
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Mother's Day
Well, Mother's Day is quickly approaching and I am doing a show on Saturday so if you see something you like, or Mom would like, let me know. I am hoping for a great show this weekend, so cross your fingers for me! :)
Monday, May 5, 2008
Beading and Jewelry Making Classes
I was thinking of starting some small beading and jewelry making classes. Starting with the basics like making eye pins, pendants, etc...and working to the bigger stuff like design.
Obviously, since I only just started this blog, I don't have a large following yet, but if anyone I know, or if you happen to come across my blog and are interested, please post and let me know. If I get enough, I will start the classes. They will be free and who knows...maybe you'll actually learn something new! (maybe not)
Obviously, since I only just started this blog, I don't have a large following yet, but if anyone I know, or if you happen to come across my blog and are interested, please post and let me know. If I get enough, I will start the classes. They will be free and who knows...maybe you'll actually learn something new! (maybe not)
Sunday, April 27, 2008
What's Your Fish?
Ok, so my daughter has this brain that just never stops. She's ultimately amazing, but it is often exhausting trying to keep up. Well our newest thing is pretending we are mermaids so we have been coming up with what names would be if we lived under the sea.
Mine, is too easy and generally unimaginative, but a given nonetheless...Mommy Fish (last name is Bish) She is Bailey Fish. Our cats are Salmon (Sammy), Orsheas (Oreyes. Long story), and Trout (Mouse).
Then we started naming everyone else...Cod Stewart, Nat King Sole, Sandy Taylor and Barnacle Fife (Andy Griffith and Barney of course)...
So if you lived under the sea, what would be your fishy name?
Mine, is too easy and generally unimaginative, but a given nonetheless...Mommy Fish (last name is Bish) She is Bailey Fish. Our cats are Salmon (Sammy), Orsheas (Oreyes. Long story), and Trout (Mouse).
Then we started naming everyone else...Cod Stewart, Nat King Sole, Sandy Taylor and Barnacle Fife (Andy Griffith and Barney of course)...
So if you lived under the sea, what would be your fishy name?
Saturday, April 26, 2008
What Are They Thinking!?!?
My daughter and I were looking at the strange and unusual things people do to themselves in this world last night and the only thing that came to mind was "WHY?"
Why would anyone actually choose to put almost 2000 piercings in their bodies, why would people choose to stretch their necks, earlobes, or any other part of their body to the breaking point, and squish, break and bind everything else? I don't get it.
So I want to know...would you do anything like that? Have you done anything like that? Have you ever thought about it? What have you done and what was the thought behind it?
I just have to know!
Why would anyone actually choose to put almost 2000 piercings in their bodies, why would people choose to stretch their necks, earlobes, or any other part of their body to the breaking point, and squish, break and bind everything else? I don't get it.
So I want to know...would you do anything like that? Have you done anything like that? Have you ever thought about it? What have you done and what was the thought behind it?
I just have to know!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
WooHoo!!
I finally finished a new lovely amethyst and silver necklace. It took me hours to make...very time consuming, back breaking, neck stiffening, eye straining hours. It was well worth the effort though. I have made a similar one before that has already sold, and I think this one turned out even better!
It will be listed soon on www.ingerstina.com. Check it out!
It will be listed soon on www.ingerstina.com. Check it out!
Website Up and Running
I finally have stuff listed on my website. www.ingerstina.com I am very excited about my new spring line of jewelry, kids stuff, gifts and, of course, my mom's rugs. Lots of new stuff to check out!
We have been working hard, please check it out and let us know what you think.
We have been working hard, please check it out and let us know what you think.
Shout it Out!
I just have to say how PROUD I am of my daughter!
She scored highest in her class in the testing, she's at a third grade reading level (she is in 1st grade) and she is just doing so well I have to tell the world! I am so proud of her!
She scored highest in her class in the testing, she's at a third grade reading level (she is in 1st grade) and she is just doing so well I have to tell the world! I am so proud of her!
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