CRAZED MIND: March 2010

Weekend Wow-zers!

It was a wonderful weekend. Alas still ill but hoping one day I will stop coughing and limping. The beautiful weather was also welcomed. The best part was both Dear Hubby was home (so rare) and we had the grandbabes again. And on Sunday we celebrated College Girls 23rd birthday (which is actually today!) So Happy Birthday to my dear daughter.

Having the grandbabes here gave me a great opportunity to try out some of the things I have learned in my latest book. "Building Character from the Start: 201 Activities to foster creativity, literacy, and play in K-3" has so many games and lessons that I can use with any of the kiddos. What an asset for home daycare providers (yes I am talking to you Aunt Rene) as well as home-school moms! There are many tools to help foster creativity, literacy and play. We played Animal Charades and did Workout Rolls. It was fun to hear the answers that popped out of the kiddos mouths when they were guessing what animals we pretended to be. I would never have thought aardvark. Oh, I could not do many of the workout rolls with my bum knee. But the kiddos showed me how well they could bend, twist, roll and shout too! There is also a CD-rom that is both Windows and Apple capable. I have to say thank you to Search Institute Press and Suzy for sending me this book.

Then Sunday we made a great "birthday" lunch for College Girl and family and friends. With deviled eggs, salmon croquettes, hamburger patties, summer sausage with bar-b-que sauce, pickled cabbage, grape salad and a chocolate peanut butter cream cheese cake. Odd mix I know but some of her favorite things. A variety of gifts that she squealed over and lots of hugs too. So over all it was fun and relaxing for all of us. I hope your weekend was just as good.

Relay Help

Did you notice the lil box in the top left column of my blog. I know we tend to over look some of the things in the sidebar. But this is an important lil box. Really!

You see, I am lucky enough to be part of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. And of course, we are trying to raise funds to help out the ACS. If you click on that lil box then you can donate to ACS under my name. And boy oh boy if I would not be appreciative.

This summer we will be doing a walk from 6 pm to 6 am. I am on the 30 Minutes Curves team. And we are a small team so far. The rules are that you have to have a team member on the track at all times. That means I could be doing hours of walking. OH MAN! So, please be kind and help donate to ACS and maybe we will have more team members. And save my aching legs too!

Amazing Bloggy Friends

I am such a happy (but still ill) woman. Why? Well because my bloggy friends have been so nice to me today.

First look at the beautiful bracelet above.

Isn't beautiful? I love all these fun bright glass beads. I feel so dressed up wearing this gift. Yes, Gift! Tracy who is the Crazy Suburban Mom sent me this wonderful No Day Gift. What a wonderful surprise to have in the mail today. Thanks so much Tracy. I am so touched that you put so much work into this gift. My Dear Hubby also loves it. He said it could not be more perfect! Can y'all believe that CSM said " Now if I knew it was you I would have sent something vintage instead of something I made... I think I boo-boo'ed"? No way did she boo-boo. Tracy this is beautiful. Again thanks so much.

Now on to the next thing that made me feel so amazing. Ya-Ya over at Ya-Ya's Changing World did the best blog about me. She made me feel so honored. Thank you Ya-Ya! She said "It is always fun to visit Lynette." Isn't that nice! I love visiting with Ya-Ya and in the past was so much fun to watch her dance too. I adore anyone who can dance with abandon.

And then the third thing (yeah even more today) was a package in the mail from YOUCAST. They sent me The Complete First Season of SouthLAnd (uncensored). What a wonderful gift. Not just one series but enough for every one who was at my SouthLAnd Season 2 premiere at my home. So now I can pass out copies to all my friends. I can not wait for a Sunday viewing day!

So today is a Whoot! Whoot! Whoot! day after all. Thanks everyone for the bloggy love. It has made me feel better.

Tagged and Bagged

I have been tagged by Jayde from Jayde's Little Corner. And I am glad because I wanted to post the photo for Crazy Suburban Mom anyway. So this works out great. Ok first things first......here are the rules.

When you are tagged, you are to create a post adding the 10th image in your 1st picture folder on your computer and tell the story behind it. Then, once you've accomplished that, you are to tag 5 more people to do the same.

Now on to the photo. Tracy I was sure you would love these two coffee pots. They are up on my shelves. The corning ware peculator works great. I have used it many times. It was my mom's and I remember her using it when I was growing up. The other one to the right is a solid glass peculator. I also received this one from mom too. It is safe to us on top of a gas stove. Yet I have always been quite careful as I love the look of it so much.

These look so pretty and gleaming because Sunday Dear Hubby and I cleaned all our shelves in the kitchen and dining room. This was hours and hours of work. We had to climb up on chairs and then on cabinets to get the goodies. Then of course cleaning all the dust and grime that had accumulated. But now it is all pretty. SEE!

This is just one of my many walls of stuff. Yeah, I am quite the collector. Or would that be called hoarder? Well I love it all. Especially my coffee central. See I have 6 coffee pots and 5 tea pots. Whew!

Well on to the tagged part again. I am suppose to pick 5 more people to do this. But instead I am just going to invite anyone to jump in if you wish. Let me know if you do....as I wish to see your photos too!

Feel Like Cr**!

Image by aftab. via Flickr

Dang it!
Cold, runny nose, fever, headache and
a bum knee too!

Hiding from the public!

I Can't See You?

Cover of How to Spot a Liar

My College Girl called me just a lil while ago. And do you know what? I can not see through the phone! Can you? Didn't think so either. Should have video phones not just video chat online.

You see I asked her to pop home for a few hours to help me out around the house. I have tons and tons of rearranging to still do. I have a surprise next month and I am trying to get ready for it. But in the mean time work to be done. Anyway, the thing is that I can not read my CG's body language over the phone.

CG is pretty quitet when it comes to phone calls. I find that I use her body language to help me know what she is thinking and feeling. If you do not do this then I would be surprised. As a matter of fact, til I read "Body Language Handbook" I was unaware how much I relied on reading other people. This was written by the same authors that did "How to Spot a Liar" Wow, we all want that book! I learned how to:

Identify the basic mechanics of human communication.
Observe what is culturally normal…and when determine “abnormal” matters.
Read changes in body language.
Avoid misunderstandings.
Project the right message.
Protect yourself from manipulation.

I think I will have CG read this book. There was some great ideas on how to position yourself for others to read confidence and strength. And with her in theater I am sure that body language is something we all see on stage. Gregory Hartley and Maryann Karinch along with Newman Communications, Inc. was so kind as to send me this book. It is great to learn new things each week. Now let's see what I read when Dear Hubby comes home tonight. Does he really want to go bowling with the folks or would he much rather crawl in bed and rest on his only evening free?

Our Winner

Karin said...: I am glad to hear she is getting better and feeling more perky!
when I posted about my Mom's heart surgery.: And she (Karin) also won in the Sunday Morning Memories giveaway.

Karin you will be getting a great photo album and coupons for Pillsbury Orange Sweet Rolls.
I loved the breakfast that was hot fresh and quick myself!

And thanks to My Blog Spark and Pillsbury for hosting this giveaway.
The photo album is cool. It hangs in a stand and you can flip through several pictures to find which you want to display at that time. You will love it.

Congrats again Karin.

Busy Weekend Coming Up

Image by newwavegurly via Flickr

I have tons on my plate right now. And no it is not that super wonderful melting hot chocolate lava cake either. (Oh how I wish it was!) Instead it is cleaning, organizing, kiddos, road trips and praying for a lot of fun too!

Well first of all today is morning child care and dog care. I am wondering if I can apply the same techniques to each set? Hummmm? I am having my grandbabes here this weekend again. Since last time I was ill and Grandma had her heart issues. So we are looking for a redo. But I want to get set up for it. So one of the things I have to do is dog baths. Whew! Do they ever need them. And with 5 dogs of various sizes it will be a chore. I think that I will have Nessa's kiddos help me assembly line style. One bath, one dry and one to chase the wet ones back!

Once they are dried I am going to do the preventive measure of spring fleas. Yeah, it is getting that time again. But I am well prepared. I have Flea, Ant, Roach & Rodent Guard. It covers everything doesn't it. What is great about this is it is all natural and non-toxic to kids and pets. So I feel good about using it and still having the grandbabes coming. Oh did I mention the good part? It does not stink! Really! I love the great mint scent of the peppermint, spearmint and wintermint mint mix. I can put this all over the house and get rid of all kinds of lil pesties while making it smell wonderful. You can try it for Free to...well there is a $5.00 shipping and handling fee though.

Next I am taking a road trip to pick up the Grandbabes. Thankfully I am able to kidnap Nessa's two and have them for company. This is about a 5 hour round trip with 4 kiddos but I am sure we will have fun. I have songs to sing and stories to listen too. Tonight we are doing a big ol pile in the living room sleep over. I want to be able to snuggle in the middle of them all and have popcorn, sodas and watch the new Curious George 2 DVD. It is Follow that Monkey and since I have been a fan of Curious George forever I am happy to share it with the kiddos. I love that the voices are done by Tim Curry, Jamie Kennedy, Matt Lauer and Jerry Lewis. Wow what a line up. This came out on March 2nd so it is out there if you want to join us. And did you know that on PBS this fall they will have a whole new TV season? I know that the kiddos will be looking forward to playing the Curious George's Cross Country Caper Game. Wow what a tongue twister that was. And of course dancing to the exclusive music video too. With bonus shows we should be able to round out the night.

Well off to start laundry, sweep, mop, do dishes, make beds and then oh, yeah! The dog baths. Later gators!

Attitude and Gratitude

I am extremely happy to receive this Attitude and Gratitude from Ann. Thank you so much. This has made my day. When you have a chance please stop by Ann's blog and check it out..

I would like to nominate the following blogs on a wonderful job that they are doing with sharing so much info on their lives. I live vicariously through them. Also all the giveaways are fun to enter. And my nominees are.

The Redhead Riter
Red Head has so many fun blogs to follow. From advice to giveaways to recipes to reviews to crafting and decorating. This is one woman who does it all!

Zack's Hot Tub
Zack can use some cheering up....so here have a cup of cheer on me. I know he sure has made me smile more than once.

Yaya's Changing World
If you do not know of the YaYa dance, then life is missing a lot of fun.
As I always say....there is always time to dance!

Between the Lines
This is one of newest favs in food blogs. Pop in and see for yourself!

Spunk On A Stick's Tips
This is a wonderful site ran by a successful writer. I love her fun attitude and of course sharing her books. If you have not read the Circle Friends with your tween/teen then you will want to. I have one of her books coming up soon....just have to pry it from my neighbors tween's fingers.

Gramme's Blog
Gayle has become one of my bloggy new best friends. I so adore visiting on her porch with her...even if it is miles and miles and miles away.

NoMoSlackMo
Jenny is a great get up and go person. And gosh I always need a lil prodding at times.

Ladybug Mama of 2
I find great giveaways, reviews and just day to day advice here.

Button Floozies
or at Vintage Soul......either speaks to my 1950's heart!

Eco-Friendly Mommy
Green and Giveaways....you got it all right here.

For the nominees: these are the rules... pass it on!

- Put the Lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- Nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- Link to the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Humor to Start my Day!

Are you a reader of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books? Well, I am and love the lil gems. They are what my grandpa called bathroom readers. Why? Well, you get it. They are short lil stories that you can read in a jiffy. Anyway, I have often wondered where they manage to get all of these stories. And I have an answer. Maggie Lamond Simone is a contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books along with being a successful columnist.

Maggie has a new book out titled "From Beer to Maternity". This is a so witty and insightful too! We all know those days we wonder how we got into this fix. From being single and having fun to those early days of marriage then low and behold we have a wee one to be responsible for. Reading this book was like hearing Maggie sit and visit with me on the front porch with a cup of coffee in hand. I could hear the sarcastic remarks that us moms can be known for. Along with the stories that sounded oh so familiar on how we all come of age and become parents. I laughed so much I had to asked to borrow one of my mom's depends!

But the underling story of how she discovered that she was an alcoholic and approached recovery touched me in a special way. My own Dear Hubby has 4 years of recovery under his belt and I remember the days when we started having fun and a lil party to end up in angst and tears. I am thankful for his recovery and see that Maggie also celebrates her own recovery too! I wish to take the time to thank Maggie Lamond Simone for sending me a copy of "From Beer to Maternity". You may want to pop over to her website or her facebook page. I know I am a fan now!

Tending Our Special Gardens

I have had a great time with Nessa's kiddos here this week. Nessa took a break and went out of town for the week. I hope she is enjoying herself. In the mean time her two babes have kept me entertained. They make me think of the two books I have been reading. They are U.N.I.Q.U.E. and U.N.I.Q.U.E. KIDS by Debra J. Slover.

These are great books on how to "grow" the leader within and to help your children be leaders. U.N.I.Q.U.E. stands for Understanding, Nurturing, Inventive, Quality, Unstoppable and Expression. These are the lessons that help leadership grow. In these two books you will meet Hugh, a lost sheep. Gosh, I know how many times I have felt like a lost sheep. This fable shows us how to grow from low self-esteem into a leader. Do your kids love to learn from stories?

I do love how this moves on to the Leadership Farm where an open and loving way of living is the norm. It was great to see that they used both human and animals to carry the lessons through. What a easy way to help these lessons stick for children. And then to also be able to follow the story line for adults in their own book. Debra Slover overcame hardships and loss growing up to become the founder of Leadership Garden Legacy. You can learn more at her web site too!

I wish to tank Elaine at prbythebook for sending me these two great tools. I am sure they can help people grow in so many ways.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Well folks I am back up and running again. Whew! What a week. First off and foremost, Grandma is doing great. She did have to have another heart stint done. Her third now. She has come through like the trooper she is. Says very lil pain this time around. But she has been a very good girl taking it easy. Even allowed us to drive her around this last week.

Thank goodness we had some of those great Pillsbury Orange Sweet Rolls. They were the first "breakfast" I made after we came home. I was so tired from staying out of town and at a hospital. I know my mom had to be exhausted from the trip. So you know how good it felt to have a quick and easy breakfast from these rolls and hot coffee. I do have to thank Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark for sending me the coupon to get them. It is great to have that warm yummy orange flavor all over my sticky fingers. You know so I can lick them. Only civilized people use a fork to eat a sweet roll. Pillsbury and MyBlogSpark are also hosting a giveaway to one lucky reader. They will receive a photo album to place their special family moments in. (My favorite time is around the dining table of course.) And they will also have a coupon for FREE Pilsbury Orange Sweet Rolls. Yumm! So leave me a comment and your entered! How easy is that?

I also wish to announce the winner of the UPrinting Post Card Giveaway! The winner is:
PJ! Congrats Pattie, I know that UPrinting will be getting in touch with you real soon.

Well, I will be back later today. I have so much to do. Get caught up reading all that I missed. I also have an award to post and some good books I read while mom recouped too!

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