Here's Lynette!

Whoooooo-hoooooooooo!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

I have been let free again. Yipppeeee and Yahhhhooooo!

I am back online!

But today is a busy one and I can not stay and play. Oh Phoo!
Y'all have a blast today and trick those treaters too.
I am off to host my Dear Hubby's Family Reunion.
Really going to be a really busy and really fun day.
I am looking forward to the visiting part.

Promote Yourself

Well y'all know how I help out at Mary's Bed & Bath. It is my favorite get away. So today I am going to use UPrinting.com to help me out with them. I am going to be receiving 100 Brochures from UPrinting.com for hosting this giveaway. So I plan on using the brochures to help advertise for Mary's Bed & Bath here in Comanche Texas.

In doing so you too can also reap the benifits. How? Well just enter and win for yourself! Now what would you do with this? Well all those Etsy shop owners could use this to help advertise their stores! And you crafters--time to toot your own horn! Time to get creative! Think how this can be turned into really interesting Christmas Cards or that Annual Newsletter with photos for all to see.

Giveaway Prize: 100 Brochures for One Lucky Winner
100 8.5 x11" Brochure / Flyers on 100lb gloss text paper ; 4 color printing on both sides
Folding Choices: Half fold; Trifold/Letterfold; Z-fold; Accordion (4 panels) Roll Fold (4 Panels)
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents due to shipping costs. We will negotiate better shipping rates soon.

If you would like to know more about UPrinting then you can check out UPrinting Reviews on Yelp.com. A winner will be selected and his/her email sent to blogs@uprinting.com by November 10, 2009.

You can join the giveaway by leaving a comment on this post. Tell me how you will use the brochures/flyers? Of course I will give you entries for following, twittering, blogging, facebook mentions and sending friends this way too! Just let me know one comment for each item you do. OH AND DON'T FORGET TO MAKE SURE I CAN CONTACT YOU TOO!

For the NEW MOM GIVEAWAY

It has been a few years since I was in the "family way". And NO I am not now either. LOL

But for those who are just starting their families, I have a great giveaway for you!

There is the Laugh and Learn about Childbirth book and DVDs. And I have them to share. So if you are at the jumping off point on your new family or looking for a gift for that special new mom to be then pop on in for a chance to win.

There is the web site where you can watch the first class for free. If you visit and tell me what you liked about the site that is your first entry. Of course I will give you entries for following, twittering, blogging, facebook mentions and sending friends this way too! Just let me know one comment for each item you do. OH AND DON'T FORGET TO MAKE SURE I CAN CONTACT YOU TOO!

Oh and we all want to remember the daddy too! Well here is a tip of a new product and site. It is I'm The DADDY Scrubs. Too cute. They also have t-shirts and coffee mugs!

The Gift that Gives Twice

I found the perfect Christmas present for Nessa's son. He is following in his dad's footsteps and learning the guitar. It is so interesting to see him sitting on the porch picking out a tune. I know that he loves the time with his dad as they work out a song together.

Well, there is a place called Wear Your Music. And they have the coolest bracelets made from guitar strings. I have this silver one for Tristan's gift. But it is just the beginning of what you can do!

The most interesting thing about WearYourMusic.Org is that you can make your money help others! WEAR A PIECE OF ROCK HISTORY ON YOUR WRIST! Clapton, Santana, John Mayer and many more artists are recycling their guitar strings into hip bangle style bracelets designed by WEARYOURMUSIC.ORG. 100% of the profits goes to each musician's charity of choice, such as UNICEF, ROCK the VOTE and hundreds more. My fav is Willie Nelson's bracelet. Willie's is only $75.00 and for that your are donating 100% of profits to Farm Aid
His career has spanned six decades. His catalog boasts more than 200 albums. He's earned every conceivable award and honor to be bestowed a person in his profession. If ever the words "living legend" were more than just public relations bluster, the application would be to Willie Hugh Nelson. Please note that Willie's strings are nylon based and we are unable to solder the silver seal. It will be secured with hand wrapped silver.

VERIZON Still Killing ME!

I tried a new exercise program called FUTILE WORKS!

It is where you call VERIZON (who pulled your Internet without cause and has to take two weeks to get it reinstated),

then you push a million buttons (great finger exercise)

....lose you temper and end up screaming at the universe in general (you know how important it is to get good breathing when you exercise)

and end up when you slam the phone and pull your hair out (that is before the cool down period).
No that is not my new program but it sure did get my blood pressure up and my pulse racing!

Yes, I am out begging Internet hook ups on the street. Thank goodness Mary is letting me hunker down in front of her computer for a few moments to get out a blog or two. So bear with me as I am hit and miss for a lil while. I will check on all of y'all Thursday when I get my next Internet fix....I will be jonesing for a fix by then!!!!

Popcorn Shrimp Recipes

Y'all know I am on a diet. And I tease that it is a SEE FOOD diet! Of course, I am really trying out different meals to keep me watching my calories, fat and still keeping in protein and fresh food as much as possible. I recently tried a new recipe and thought I would try it with you. So here is my real seafood meal. Seafood is an excellent source of protein, provides omega-3 fatty acids necessary for brain development and vision, and supplies essential vitamins like B12 and D, along with important nutrients.

Popcorn Shrimp Salad

• Ingredients
  2 cups fresh corn kernels (from 3 ears) or one 10-ounce package frozen corn, thawed
  1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
  1 package SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp
  1/2 cup (3.5 ounces) shelled roasted pumpkin seeds
  6 scallions (white and light green parts), thinly sliced
  1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  2 teaspoons honey
  1 tablespoon olive oil
  3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 
  Directions
  In a large bowl, combine the corn, tomatoes, popcorn shrimp, pumpkin seeds, and scallions.
  In a separate bowl, whisk together the orange and lime juices, honey, oil, salt, and pepper. Toss with the shrimp mixture.

Now if this a lil too grown up for your kiddos I understand. “Seafood is one of the greatest super foods on the planet, and children should be eating more of it,” said Elizabeth Ward, nationally-recognized registered dietitian, mother and author of several books about nutrition for children. “Unfortunately, our generation of parents may be unaware of the incredible benefits seafood provides to children, and to the entire family, including protein and other essential nutrients.” I know that Emma enjoyed the following one below from SeaPak Shrimp Company.

Shrimp and Mac n' Cheese

Ingredients

1 package (20 oz) SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp or SeaPak® Shrimp Poppers

1 package macaroni and cheese

Milk and butter (if needed to prepare macaroni and cheese)

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 450˚. Put water on to boil for macaroni.
ARRANGE popcorn shrimp in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake shrimp for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. For best results turn shrimp after baking for 5 minutes.
PREPARE macaroni and cheese according to package instructions.
POUR macaroni in to serving dish. Top with hot shrimp.
From Jenna G: Want to serve your family an even cheesier version? Cook shrimp and the macaroni and cheese according to the above instructions. Pour macaroni and cheese into a casserole dish. Top with hot shrimp then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Pop the casserole under the broiler for a minute to melt the cheese.
From Robin C: After I've prepared it according to the recipe, I put it in a glass baking dish, crumble corn flakes on top, and bake it in the oven for about 5 minutes to make the top nice and cripsy. The kids love it!

Finding Purpose beyond our Pain

I hate suffering from depression. It tangles me up in knots and causes great anguish in my life. And when I spend as much time alone as so often happens then I can fall into depression very quick. Then I question why this is happening to me.

I am sure you have been there before. Wondering if your loved or cared for? Why do the things happen that we can not control? Just what is the path to win on the stuggle we have?

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain, Uncover the Hidden Potential in Life's Most Common StrugglesBy Paul Meier M.D. and David Livingstone Henderson M.D.

At one time or another everyone finds themselves questioning, "Does God still love me? Is there a purpose for all this pain?" Drs. Meier and Henderson teach readers how to face painful struggles head-on in a way that allows them to grow and mature emotionally and spiritually. In this timely book they explore the seven most common life challenges:

* Injustice
* Rejection
* Loneliness
* Loss
* Discipline
* Failure
* Death

In addition they offer the three reasons we often miss the gifts these challenges can be. This unique approach to an age-old problem will encourage and challenge readers to grow through their struggles instead of wasting energy trying to avoid them altogether. I loved having this book to help me with my struggles. To know I am not alone. And to help remind me that there is a plan for all of us.

Checks for Vets

My husband is a Navy Vet. My in-laws are both Navy Vets too. My dad was a vet and so are two of my brothers. My grandfather was as was my daughters grandfather. As a matter of fact most of the men and some of the women in my family are all veterans.

And one of the hardest things that a Veteran runs into is obtaining the benefits promised to them from the very beginning of their signing up to serve our country. It is hard to know all the things you need to do, the forms to fill out and all the documentation you need to keep it all straight. But I have found help for them and the veterans you may know.

Joseph McCarthy’s job isn’t unique, or widely known, but it’s still perhaps one of the most important jobs one can find. He helps wartime veterans get their VA pensions. Joseph Scott McCarthy is a veteran advocate with more than eight years’ experience working with Aid and Attendance and Housebound pensions. With the help of veteran service officers at the American Legion, county veteran service officers, and VA personnel, he has educated and guided thousands of veterans and their surviving spouses through the VA pension process.

For many, especially for those who are injured or disabled this is no easy thing to accomplish. Over 1.5 million wartime service veterans and their surviving spouses are eligible for billions of dollars a year in the form of VA pensions to help pay for assisted living and home care. Many leave their share of the money unclaimed due to their lack of knowledge regarding how to get what’s coming to them.

Over the years Joe has helped thousands of servicemen and women and their surviving spouses achieve success and jump through all the hoops and hurdles necessary to receive their VA pension benefits.

His new book Checks for Vets captures what he knows and puts it all together in a standalone guidebook to help take the mystery out of the bureaucratic process and help people get the maximum benefits that they are eligible for.

McCarthy says that to successfully receive pension benefits requires that you submit several forms of proof to the government.

If you are a wartime service veteran or the surviving spouse of one, you must meet eligibility criteria to receive one of these pensions, such as having met active military service requirements and had an honorable or general discharge. You also have to show a limited income (such as from social security and a small pension), and that you are disabled and have care needs because of your disabilities.

McCarthy has several crucial recommendations to those who are ready to go through the filing process:

Obtain the veteran’s discharge record. Locate and get a copy of your discharge record because you must have it to file a pension application.

Locate other important documents, such as marriage and death certificates. You will need these documents to support your claim.

Locate and select a veteran service officer in your local area. A veteran service officer is a great resource for filing pension claims. There is no fee for their services and you do not need to be a member of their organization.

Identify suitable assisted living facilities or homecare agencies. Plan ahead; don’t wait until you have an immediate need for care. These facilities offer tours and an explanation of services to help you decide if the care provider may be right for you. Care providers will provide you with information you will need to support your claim.

Don’t use outdated pension claim forms. Use only the most current forms so that you only have to fill in the forms once.

Don’t make errors when completing claim forms. Do it right the first time. Errors will cause delays in the processing of your claim.

Don’t pay for prescription medications. Veterans can apply for free health benefits which can save hundreds of dollars per year.

McCarthy says that if you take the right steps and prepare the applications properly, you’ll get the best response in the shortest period of time.

I am going to be sharing my copy of Checks for Vets with our local county veteran service officer aid in town.

The Story of the Candy Cane

I love reading to Emma. And with all the holidays this year we are enjoying stories about new things. Yes, because Emma is only 3 yrs old. And everything is quite new to her still.

This week we read Tinycandy's Gift. It was written by Susan Estes and has beautiful artwork by Mike Motz. This book came with a read-a-long CD too!

Tinycandy’s Gift is a new Christmas story tracing the origins of the popular holiday treat, the candy cane. Tinycandy, an elf growing up in the North Pole, always felt left out because he walked with a limp. With Christmas approaching, Tinycandy becomes desperate to find his special “gift” in order to contribute to Christmas in Santa’s workshop and become accepted by the other elves. When Tinycandy does discover his gift, it creates a special sweet treat that changes Christmas forever.

Emma loved the bright colors. And even more Emma loved the candy cane we shared while reading the story. It was a wonderful thing to see it all 'click' in place for her. That the story was talking about the very thing she was enjoying. Of course being able to make home made candy canes is even better. Susan Estes included one in the back of the book. This along with the lessons of try and try again and to be fair and forgive are concepts that I am glad to teach Emma.

Verizon DE-AMPED Me!

I am aggravated!

I am upset!

I am very very sad!

WHY?

Because I do not have any internet at my home right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well as many of y'all know, I wear many different hats. And one of the is of a answering service operator. I have been answering the calls of a local plumber for 4 years now. And in return he provided our home phone and internet. Well with this failing economy his business is not doing the best. So he is having the service pulled and his wife is picking it up. That makes all the sense in the world.

But, I am having to set up home phone and internet service. Ok, I can do that!

We contacted VERIZON (I say their name cause I am currently pretty ticked off at them.) and set up new service on the 30th of the month. All would get switched out then. Good, good.

Til last night.

I came home from another hat wearing position (antique store clerk) to pop on and visit with all of y'all. I am sure you notice I was not around! Sure nuff I wasn't. Why?

Well it seems VERIZON (yes, them again) had pulled my internet service already! Why? We don't know. I called and they can not do a thing til they open again on Monday. Lord knows 3 days without internet will wear me to a frazzle. I mean take the TV or the really warm blanket for a few days. Anything but the internet (oh and of course Coffee)!

So, come Monday afternoon (I am doing the Curves workout helper hat in the morning.) I can call VERIZON and see what is going on. Til then?

Well keep the internet home fires burning for me, ya' hear!

Thank Ya'

5 Reminders

This is my first time to join in with Angela from Angela's Adventures for her Friday High Five! The premise is simple pick 5 things, places, pictures, funny, serious etc...make a list...5 things

Sounded fun so thought I would join in. Thanks Angela!

My five picks are in honor of October Breast Cancer Awareness.

So LADIES do not put it off any longer.....get you MAMMOGRAM this month.
And Donna this post is in your honor!

As a P.S. from Skyler's Dad here is a great fun reminder.

Cheap & Easy Costumes

“50 Cheap & Easy Halloween Costumes for Adults & Children.”

The feature, which is posted on the Ask Coupon Sherpa blog, offers a wide array of recommendations. Among them are:

Progressive Insurance's Flo: All you need is a white shirt, white apron, name tag and a headband and you're set to cut insurance deals for fellow party goers.

Job Seeker: Whether you're unemployed or gainfully employed, this costume is a cinch. Dress in your favorite suit, grab a suitcase and resume and you're set to go. Those truly unemployed might want to stock the briefcase with real resumes, just in case that perfect job prospect shows up at the party.
Backwards Man: This simple concept was popular in the 1980s and is due for a revival. Simply put your clothes on backwards, pad your front to give yourself some "back" and voila, you're ready.

Gangster: Some may prefer the under-dressed Sopranos look, but for a traditional gangster you'll need dress pants, a vest, fedora and toy machine gun. Considering the zero-tolerance policies at most American schools, children may prefer to nix the gun for an empty violin case.

Pile of Laundry: (My fav) The perfect costume for college students! Simply pin clothes onto an old outfit or, for a more complex costume, cut the bottom out of an old laundry basket, fill it with clothes and wear it around your waist. A hat made from a washed-out Clorox bottle adds a jaunty touch. Don't forget to toss in a few used fabric-softener sheets.

Work of Art: This couldn't be easier: Hang a large picture frame around your neck. If you want to make it complicated, consider dressing up as a specific work of art, such as the Mona Lisa or a Van Gogh self-portrait.

Web site: Glasses wearers can turn themselves into a Web site by draping fake spider webs all over those eyepieces.

The Nerd: Some can go from work to Halloween parties without a change of clothes, but for non-nerds, pair high-water pants, a short-sleeved dress shirt buttoned to the top with pens in the pocket and appropriate ink stains. Take the nose and mustache off a set of Groucho glasses and you've completed the look.

The article even includes a recipe for fake blood (which includes Karo syrup and red food coloring among other ingredients) and instructions to create fake wounds.

It is Craft Time

It is so much fun to color and paint. But it is more fun to do that on your hat! Or at least that is what many kids think. Here is a fun project to let your kiddos express their own sense of style.

Wallaroo has the Art Hat kit that encourages activity and helps develop fine motor skills. The kit contains an adjustable white microfiber bucket hat with a contrasting color under the brim, six nontoxic fabric paints, and a paintbrush.

I know that watching this hat being designed and painted was fun for me. Seeing how the time was taken to see just what pattern was wanted and when eyes light up as it all comes together. It may not be a work of art to all but it was a work of art to us. We added pins to decorate the hat too. You could do puffy fabric paints, self-adhesive felt and stick-ons.

The one we are decorating is for a 2-5 yr old but the have ones for a 5-7 year old too. And not only does this hat become a one-of-a-kind masterpiece it also has an UPF of 50+. The Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) shows how well a fabric protects your skin from solar UV. But remember, a Wallaroo hat only protects the skin it covers. Safeguard the rest of your body by wearing sunglasses and sunscreen.

Ready for Flu Season

It is flu season around here. Well, thankfully not in my house! I am glad of that. But in town and the school system children are fighting the flu. I know that having been a mom for 22 years, when your lil one is down the complete house seems to come to a stand still. But since I care for Emma I am thrilled to have the following 3 items on hand just in case.

And what can we do? Well if you are one who uses or would like to use homeopathic medicine I can help you. Well not me but information I have. There is a line of children's products by Boiron that can help. First for flu-like symptoms you can use Oscillococcinum. Really long word! But these quick dissolving pellets are great at helping with body aches, chills, fever and feeling run down. You can get a $2.00 coupon HERE.

You also have Chestal honey homeopathic cough syrup. To help relieve that cough and loosen chest congestion. These two items are safe for children 2 year old and older to take.

If is just a cold (like a cold is any small thing when your 3 yr old is crying) there is Coldcalm pellets. This helps with sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and minor sore throat. It is also safe for your child age 3 and up without side effects. It has a great taste and is easy to take since they melt in the mouth. And there is also a $1.00 coupon for any of the three products HERE.

To top it all off you also can visit their blog to learn more about homeopathic medicine.

I Met Septimus Heap

Have you met Septimus Heap? Well, I had not til we bumped into each other this month. I am watching out for Christmas presents right now. And I found not just one but a whole series of them for my neighbors daughter. Thankfully Septimus was willing to be included in the endeavor.

Ashley is a big big reader. That makes me happy as I was that way as a child too. I love going away with my imagination for a visit in another time and place. But because I am in my 40's and do not have a tween child anymore, I had missed out on Septimus Heap.

Who is this character? Well, for that we would have to go back to the beginning. All the way back to Magyk. For that is the first book in this series. Septimus Heap Septimus Heap is the seventh son of a seventh son, who possesses magical powers, and is apprenticed to ExtraOrdinary wizard, Marcia Overstrand.

I jumped in here on Syren and stowed away with Beetle, Jenna, Nicko and Snorri. Here we are all stranded on an island with a Magykal girl named Syrah and a cat-shaped lighthouse that has lost its light. Septimus is trying to escape the persistent and eerie presence that sings to him. And he’s stranded there with his badly injured dragon, Spit Fyre. Trouble is also brewing for Lucy and Wolf Boy, who have become entangle with nefarious sailors at sea, and for Milo Banda, Jenna’s father, who is harboring a mysterious treasure chest in his ship’s hold.

I can not wait to share this with Ashely. I was at Hastings this last weekend and found that I can find the first 4 books there and they are only $7.99 each. So it will not be hard to acquire the complete series too! Now I am off to find Magyk, Flyte, Physik and Queste to add with Syren.

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