Doesn't Get Much Better

Whew! Our Saturday evening was wonderful.
With friends, family and neighbors who could ask for better people around them

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Today after DH was through with work he fired up the grill and started cooking all the meat. Steaks, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages and. . .I think there is an and there?
Nessa had organized all while I was manning the store at Mary's.
She had made pasta salad, tea and helped get all the fixings thawed and ready.
My mom did up her fantastic bean dip that seems to be her staple.
And then the people started rolling in.

College Girl came home for the weekend with her dorm roommate. Following was a couple of the guys from college too! One of our good friends in town popped on in to join in the meal and merriment. CG's Poppa, Other Mom and lil Sissy arrived for a feast. And of course we had to have Nessa's cheerful foursome to keep things going. (She is a lifesaver.) Top it off my dad was here all day. That is uncommon as can be!

Threw in a all the fixings for the hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken garden salad, pea salad, chips, fresh fruit of watermelon, grapes and plums. It was a three table feast for all.
I sure wish y'all could have joined us for all the food, great conversations and relaxing times. I know that it was a great day for me!

Found but Looking

Last night we found the prettiest black Pit Bull roaming our street. He was so friendly and loving. Nessa's kids helped me walk up and down the streets in our neighborhood knocking on doors. Sad to say we did not find his owner. I called a friend who does not have 1/2 a dozen dogs in her backyard like I do to see if they could help house the dog while we look for the owner. Yeah, they would.

So today when I went to pick up our one eyed kitten from the vet we advised of the found Pit Bull. We can not contact the county animal control til Monday. So hopefully we will hear something soon if not then on a lost owner. This puppy was very loving, rolling over for a belly rub and all. I hope we find where he belongs soon.

Making the Just Right Card

These tips were provided by the Photo Affections, an online photo greeting card company. I was hoping they would help when we are working so hard to get that just right card. It seems we make more cards than we purchase in the store. Frugal thinking pays off there. But we are not the pros who think up some of those great and witty words. So hope these make things just a lil easier. Don't forget you can Win Your Personal Greeting Cards here.

How to build the perfect holiday photo greeting card

1. Use humor. It opens hearts and lets friends and relatives see the fun side of your life.
2. Bring captions into play. Keep them short and sincere.
3. Select a photo with special sentimental value. Don’t worry about the finding the photo where everyone looks “perfect.”
4. Use only 1 – 3 photos. Too many dilute the meaning of the card.
5. Juxtapose past & current photos. This highlights the growth of your family.

RSVP Etiquette

(parents should carry on the tradition and not let this courtesy fall completely by the wayside in future generations.)

1. ALWAYS RSVP to any event; and as promptly as possible.
2. Respond by deadline: the deadline is very important, not only for food and drink counts, but also for the hostess to prepare for the event.
3. If you have RSVPed for an event and, at the last minute, need to cancel—make a quick courtesy phone call to the host.
4. An invitation that is addressed specifically to your name and does not specify “and guest” means you cannot bring a guest.
5. If your children’s names are not on the envelope, you should always ask if you’d like to bring your children along. If their names are not included, it might mean children are not invited; or it might be an oversight, so you should always ask.

5 Tips for Creating the Perfect Birth Announcement

1. Select a card that shows your family’s style—unique and individual to represent you and your new baby. Selecting a photo—choose one with sentimental value that evokes a special memory.
2. Keep it simple—a simple introduction followed by the birth details such as name, weight and birth date is ideal.
3. Save time and money by using an Internet photo card company. Easily select a template and then insert the photo and text. Once complete, the birth announcements are delivered directly to your home.
4. Research photo card company websites prior to the birth. Then, insert the photo and information to complete the project when baby arrives. Traditional etiquette suggests birth announcements be sent within 6 months of the birth.
   

Dear So & So . . .

Dear So and So...

I don't think it is fair that poor Alice is doomed to a life as a one eyed kitty. I hated having to take her into surgery today. I can't wait to have her back at home tomorrow. But am afraid she is going to look like some lil pirate kitty.

Dear I Don't Wanna Work . . .

Why is it that since I HAFTA WORK all day today. It is the only time I really really really wanna take a nap. Too bad, today is not my day.

Well Dear So and So . . .

I guess you are the one who dictacts what happens in the line of fate, so I will bow to your omnipresence. And as of today YOU WIN!

Pick the Puppies Up

Ok, fair warning here. I am going to talk about boobs. Yes, those amazing mammery glands that guys stare at and women are never pleased about.

I am one of those ladies. I am not happy about my "cha-cha's". They are not perky. Never was to tell the truth. Ok, I know in my mid 40's (wait did I just use my outside voice to tell my age??) that the lil ladies have seen better days. But still I wish they would just look up once in a while. Ya' know!

Now I do not wish to have Breast Enlargement. NO! I just want them lifted. Yes I do understand that miracles do not happen in a day when it comes to exercise. And I am losing weight and firming up. But there is no way that exercise is going to make the "puppies" sit up and beg. So instead my only choices are to get surgery or just deal with it.

Well let's fantasize about the surgery part for a lil while. Hey it makes me have hope and feel good. Yeah what I want is a good uplift. Sounds like I would feel better right off the bat. I would not mind looking much youger and having something on me that was perky besides my smile. Heck with the way Mother Nature has used aging and the force of gravity against me, I may never win this battle without plastic surgery. Can you imagine the confidence booster it would give me? I am sure my Dear Hubby would be happy too (wink wink).

Of course reality is where I can not afford this. But if I could I know that I would travel all the way to the U.K. if need be for a good surgical team. Yeah, I think I would need a team. Do you think they would do a tummy tuck while I was there?

Fantasy or Real--It is Football Season

You have heard me talk about College Girl's Poppa. He has a serious football habit. Loves the game in every way. Sad to say I never had that "love" of a game. But since he does and CG adores making her Poppa happy then football is the way to do it.

So I get this phone call letting me know it is time for the season kickoff to start. CG then asked if her Poppa ever played Fantasy Football. Well, I see how she would get excited here since she is a big fantasy role playing fan online of different sites. CG wanted to set up an account for her Poppa at WaiverWire .

This is a brand new site that some former Wall Street guys with a passion for football built an incredible website for fantasy football players. They applied the format, tools, and techniques for analyzing stocks and applied them to NFL player and fantasy football team analysis. That is a smart way to build the site. I was quite proud that CG wanted to share this with her Poppa.

WaiverWire has everything Poppa needs to win in his fantasy league at one place, including:

• *Fantasy football draft software
• *Fantasy football news
• *Fantasy football analysis
• *Fantasy football forum
• *Fantasy football research
• *Access to over 100 Local NFL team news feeds
• *Fantasy football rankings
• *Fantasy player comparisons
• *and much, much, more . . .

The memberships range in price from FREE to $29.99 depending on what features you might be interested in. I do know that if you want to have "real time players" then there is a $9.99 membership fee. That is really a good deal if your man is anything like CG's Poppa. He is hard core football fan. I bet he will enjoy this gift most of all for his lil Angel.

Back-to-School-itis

Today we have a guest post by Charlotte Reznick PhD. Charlotte Reznick is a child educational psychologist, an associate clinical professor of psychology at UCLA, and author of a new book, The Power of Your Child's Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success (Perigee, 2009, $14.95).

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

Six Tools to Relieve Your Child's "Back-to-School-itis"

By Charlotte Reznick PhD

For some kids, going back to school at the end of summer can be traumatic. Anticipating a new teacher, classmates, grade, or school can trigger fear, anxiety, and depression--not to mention very real physical symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, and insomnia.

Fortunately, your child has a whole toolbox to draw from--in her own imagination. Here are six imagination tools parents can use with young children to relieve "back-to-school-itis."

Teach her to balloon breathe. With her hands around her navel, have her breathe slowly and deeply into her lower belly so it presses into her hands like an inflating balloon. The Balloon Breath has dramatic calming effects and facilitates a waking state of focused concentration and receptivity to positive suggestions. This one tool makes all the other ones easier.

Visit his special place. This is a safe private place within your child's inner world where he can work out problems or take a mini-vacation from stress and worry. He can invite a wise Animal Friend into his special place to talk to and help him, or he can even dig for a treasure box there that contains the antidote to his fear.

Draw the fear. Putting an image on paper: (1) makes her fear of separation realer and less frightening than keeping it inside, and (2) makes her fear less likely to grow because there is a concrete picture to work with. Once she has a picture, she can talk to it, find out why it's trying to scare her, strike a bargain with it, surround it with a soothing color bubble, and so on.

Talk to his symptom. When a child suffers from a worry headache or stomachache, these three questions can help eliminate the pain. Have him do deep balloon breathing (diaphragmatic breathing), then ask: (1) What color is it? (2) What shape is it? (3) How heavy is it? After more breaths, ask him again. Continue to breathe and question in rounds. His pain will likely change or disappear. If it doesn't completely go away, ask the ache what it wants him to know, do, or understand to release any more bits of pain.

Picture the future. Artwork is also an effective starting point when you're working with clear end-goals, like getting a good night's sleep or reducing a fear. Have your child draw two drawings--how things are now and how she'd like them to be. Hang the picture in her bedroom; this is a great reminder of her desired goal and the first step toward getting there.

Encourage drama. For kids whose nature tends toward drama, acting out their worries and troubles is a wonderful way to release them. Let them play it out--with puppets, with their bodies, with anything their imagination suggests. It's amazing what creative solutions come up when given free reign.

* * * * *

There is Gold in Them Thar IRA's

Times are tough around here as well as every where else. Dear Hubby came home last night and told me about his IRA. I stuttered for a moment. Yeah, silly me hears words wrong. I could not figure out what he meant. Was this about some rifle association or Iraq war? No, duh, it is about our retirement. Well, I thought we would have to get a rifle and go to some war to ever get any money to retire on any way.

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But instead he is sharing how he is putting money into his IRA account to help us later on. I did tell you he was my Dear Hubby. How thoughtful to know he will have to support me in our old age. But I of course got all curious and looked things up online. I found out there is also gold IRA. Yes I said GOLD. Now why didn't he get one of these accounts? So then I wanted to know how to put gold in an IRA. Is there a gold 401k somewhere that I could buy. Surely not!

But yeah there really is IRA gold and a web site that will tell you how to put gold in my IRA . Well not mine but in yours. Of course I wouldn't mind if you wanted to contribute to my retirement plan. So what are you plans for paying for those golden years? Saving in an IRA? Or are you stashing all the good stuff under your mattress? Tell me.

Is your Child Good Enough?

Today we have a guest post by Jan Denise. Jan Denise is a syndicated newspaper columnist, an

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empowerment guru, and author of the new book, Innately Good: Dispelling the Myth that You're Not (Health Communications, 2009). You can find out more about her and her teachings at www.innatelygood.com.

5 Ways to Raise a "Good Enough" Child

By Jan Denise

How many times have you told your ebullient child he's too loud or too active? How often have you told your contemplative, cautious child not to be a scaredy-cat and so shy?

In subtle ways, you are giving your child, when he's expressing his or her unique temperament, the message that he's not good enough. He will get the same messages at school, at church or temple, and from the media. By the time your child is an adult, he will have learned how not to follow the beat of his own drummer and how not to be himself. He will have learned exactly how to act in order to get the approval of others.

If you think that's not much a problem for a child, wait till she grows up and marries someone she thinks she should marry, works in a job she hates because it's expected of her, gets in debt buying a house or car that makes her seem more successful than she really is, or is on a perpetual diet and hates her body because women are supposed to be rail thin.

You can stop this negative conditioning! As a parent, you already instinctively know that your child is good enough. Your child was born good enough. Here are five ways to reinforce that positive message.

· Be there for him. Let your child have his true feelings--sadness or fear, for example. Show him with your support, reassurance, and presence that it's okay to have emotions, and that you'll stay with him through all those feelings, without judging.

· Teach her not to personalize rejection. If someone tells her she's ugly or too brainy, for example, remind her that someone else's words aren't the truth. The truth is that she's fine--just the way she is.

· Teach him not to worry what other people think. If he's afraid to take chorus at school for fear of being teased, or cuts class with his friends to be part of the "cool" crowd, help him understand that following others' opinions won't help him be happy.

· Encourage her individuality. If your child wants to wear a pink tutu to church and it embarrasses you, consider the message you might be giving her about being an individual and expressing herself. Unless it's an act that could harm your child, try to allow her to be and do what she needs in order to fully explore who she is.

· Show him he is loved--unconditionally. Remind your child dozens of times a day, in gestures, words, and acts, that you love him just the way he is. A child who learns that he really is good enough will grow into a confident, healthy, fulfilled adult.

* * * * *

Surprise Gift

I have picked one of my readers to get a random gift.

Image by ex.libris via Flickr

Surprised huh?

So when I get an address and info from Skyler's Dad I will be mailing him a DAD type gift.

Here is his last comment.

SkylersDad has left a new comment on your post "Help--My Kid Drove Me Crazy":

You left out the part about using a shock collar.

He cracks me up. You can go and visit this amazing dad at

Some days it's not worth chewing through the leather straps

Help--My Kid Drove Me Crazy

We are all in the back to school swing. Right?
No? Well, maybe some of us still need a little help.

Dr. Swanson shares the following back-to-school transition tips:

1. Before school starts, send your child to bed at the normal school year bedtime.
2. Start waking your child up at the same time he would if school were in session. (Waking up early is a great trick for getting a child to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.)
3. Begin to set limits around things that conflict with school-year priorities (video games, television, overnights, e.g.).
4. If assigned, make sure that your child's summer academic projects are completed and ready to be handed in.
5. Put other structured routines--such as dinner time, baths/showers, and hygiene rituals--back into place.
6. Regardless of the stress, fight the battles of getting back to the normal routine now. Waiting for the school year to return will only add to your stress.
7. Lastly, take your child shopping for school clothes and supplies. Usually, new clothes and supplies elevate a child's excitement about returning to school.

Now that we have that all down pat, you do have that routine set? Right? Okay at least we are still working on a routine. Now what can we do for the dragging our feet to get ready times. Or is it the I don't wanna do my homework? Yeah, of course we are still struggling with "Chores, I have to do chores?" But we can work on all of these things with a little help and guidance.

Dr. Swanson has a new book to help. "Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It". Sounds familiar right? I know I have had to deal with some issues when helping to raise children. Some with ADD/ADHD and others just lil button pushers. We all have them. Which are your kids favorite ways to get you to do what they want?

Emotional Blackmail
Shutting Down
Irrational Logic
Negotiation
Divide and Conquer
Playing the Victim

Each of these issues and more are addressed in Dr. Swanson's book. I know that CG was a great lil negotiator. And Nessa's son can do the irrational logic to a tee. Of course lil Miss Ashley just shuts down. I am glad there is a way I can find some help, back up, bring out the child raising hand book from time to time. We are all great parents but help and advice is still needed.

SO, check out
"Help! My Kid Is Driving Me Crazy: The 17 Ways Kids Manipulate Their Parents and What You Can Do About It"
and find some answers for yourself.

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Author Kelton had plenty of Fort Worth admirers | News | Star-Telegram.com

Author Kelton had plenty of Fort Worth admirers | News | Star-Telegram.com

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My Dear Hubby and Grandma were sadden to hear of the death of Elmer Kelton. He is an icon in western writing. And having roots in my birth place of Pecos Texas is just another link. DH has read Mr. Kelton for the majority of his adult life. And grandma has addition ties through Pecos. So we morn this passing and just wish to encourage those who enjoy wholesome western writing to pick up one of Elmer Kelton's books sometime.

Homicide?

Well now they are saying that Michael Jackson's death is a homicide!

Michael Jackson via last.fm

I was not following this story very close.
Just thought it was really sad to have lost his life and still be relatively young.
I worried and morned for his children.

Now, I am so sorry and upset that someone may have caused such a tragedy for his lil ones.
I pray they are okay and well cared for.

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College=$$

Well College Girl made a mad dash through the house at lunch time. She needed some $$ and I

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had to cash a check that was left here for her. I am glad she is only 45 minutes away. So it is not a long drive for these type of trips. But, if, well. . .it would be nice if I could have just put the $$ onto a Prepaid Visa and she could use the card in her purse. It would make it easier.
I am looking into the program we wish to use for this account. I do know that I can reload the card at Taylor's where Dear Hubby works.
So how do you handle this type of situation. Do you mail money to your CG? Or do they have a debit card to your account? Have you created a credit card for them and would you prefer if it is prepaid? I know we do not need any unexpected expenses. And just the gas to drive home and get money is just that much more to add to the $$. What have you found works for you?

Holey Cow-What a Savings!

I have to tell you that Holey Donuts is having a 'shipping' special.
This makes me happy because I can order me some more of the delicious low fat and low calorie donuts
AAARRRUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!

I so love donuts but with my diet I can not just pop down to the local donut palace and get some fat filled goodness. Instead I can order my Holey Donuts and have all the goodness without the fat.

I just love their new tag line.
Donuts from Heaven without the calories from Hell!

So here is the information I received and am passing on to you.

This offer expires Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 at 12 Midnight PST, so place your order and be sure to select the special $4.99 shipping option at check out your order will still be shipped by Fedex using our usual service but we pay the difference!! You'll actually see your saving before checkout,the "ground" quote that's what you would have paid but today we added a special $4.99 price for you to select!

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College=Party?

College Girl made it back on campus this weekend. And as it is in college she went to a party her first night on campus. The theater group was doing a get back together party with the theme being "Adam & Eve".
Well, CG wanted to make sure she had an outfit but did not want to be Eve in all her shining glory. So instead she wore a red floor length formal with black lace covering. It laces up in the back like a corset does. Then CG added some devil horns and used a long rubber snake for a belt. Yes, CG was temptation! I think that was quite inventive with what she had in her closet.

Thanks to Hip Hop Jewelry for the photo.

I wish we had gone to Hip Hop Jewelry before hand. Then we could have added these silver teeth to go with her outfit. It would have been stellar to have silver fangs. Maybe I can get them and she will be able to use them for Halloween. What do you think?

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Showered with Gifts

My birthday was amazing. My best friend Jennifer (we have been friends for 36 yrs) sent me a Dell computer. WOW!

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My friend Mary, who has the B & B/antique store gave me a sting of pearls. Yeah! Amazed. I always wanted to be June Cleaver as the perfect housewife and mother.


My in-laws are passing down a 100+ yr old piece of original craftsman furniture that belonged to DH's great grandfather in California. Beautiful and I will treasure it so much. I feel honored that they are giving me a piece of family history. I know I am part of their family

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now.

Dear Hubby took me, College Girl and her best friend Thomas out to lunch at my fav eatery in Stephenville. (Simply Deli off the square)

My mom and friend Nessa did me a great dinner of sandwiches and snack foods that I enjoy and

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then we played games. I so want the recipe for the Cucumber Lemonade that Nessa made me! And Nessa's kids showered me with stuffed animals for gifts. Nessa and Dan bought me a fishing license and Dan took me and my pink fishing pole out fishing for a bit Friday night too!

See---a wonderful birthday all around. To tell you the truth I do not know what gift I love more as each was given to me from the heart and was just want I wanted too!

Then I had so many of my bloggy friends wish me a Happy Birthday here. On Facebook I had even more well wishes! I feel so loved and honored to have so many good people in my life. I know this is how one measures richness. In the friends and great people in their lives. THANK YOU!

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Characters Unite

Characters Unite

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MY DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME TODAY!

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Curves and Clothes

With me working so hard on my weight loss I am now able to wear some smaller clothes. But they are still a plus size. A smaller plus size so that is the right direction.

This last week I went through and pulled out the clothes that are too large now. And I am learning to wear clothes that actually fit close to my body. That is so new to me! To really show off my body. I have a few items that fit all my curves now. And yes I do have some curves to start to show off.

Now I have been looking at different Clothing Catalogues. Trying to see if I can find a new style for myself. I am learning to wear dresses that have a belt to emphasize my waist. Or that I have a waist. I have also made sure that I have proper under garments so that everything stays where it should too. That makes a big difference as to how clothes hang on you.

So now that I am working so hard to lose, it is time for me to rethink how I look. What have you done in the past to reward a diet? Do you get rid of your old clothes? Is it too soon to get some new items that fit right? And should I be proud to show off my curves? What do you think?