Welcome to the World Scott

Shouting from the rooftops!

Welcome into this world to my newest Grandbabe!

7-31-11 at 5:26 a.m. at 8 lbs and 21 inches 

Scott Wayne Webb finally arrived!

Let the spoiling of "The Turtle" begin!

Summer Reading List

Well even with the Grandbabes visiting I still have my Summer reading.  I love to read.  It has been my favorite hobby my whole life.  Well from the age of 3 on...that should qualify.  Having a Grandmother who was a Liberian and Aunts and Uncles who are teachers, books seem to just flow to me.  And now I have this wonderful blog (ta-dah) that allows me to do reviews on books.  This is one of the things that make me happy every day.  So here is my current reading list or would that be stack.

My first is Time Witch by Jacqueline Corcocan, a young adult novel that is her first published novel.  As a professor she has published articles and eleven books in her field.  This is a story that caught my attention right off.  Having an inherent fear of losing my own daughter, when the mother in the story does not return home to her 12 year old daughter, my heart was pumping.  In the daughter's search for her mother she enters a magical world.  I do not like to give away stories, but this is one that I think most young girls would enjoy.  Very good for a first novel.  You can find it as an e-book for only $4.99 and $8.99 in print form.
Well from magical worlds I then traveled to a ghost story.  I love a good tale to chill me.  Especially in this novel The Poisoned House by Michael Ford.  Sadly you will have to wait til September of this year to find this one on your bookstore shelves.  You can order an advance copy on Amazon.   I am hoping that it will be optioned for a movie sometime.   The setting is 1850's London with 15 year old Abi, the scullery maid in a beautiful estate.  While learning her job she realizes that what is felt is not what actually reality.  A secret is coming out, unraveling the household.  I had many times  thought I had figured out what was coming up.....only to learn I could not second guess this author. 

From there I had to journey to the South with a tale that tugged at my heart.  The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones is beautifully told capturing my soul as I explored the governor's mansion.  I loved how the story paralleled tending to a garden takes love, time and attention the same as tending to a broken spirit.  You will love this story if your a fan of epic life stories.  The First Gardener was one that made me laugh and cry.  A must have for your nightstand reading stack!  Denise expresses her own Southern voice in this story.  I can't wait to read her previous stories. 
And last in my stack (remember we always save the best for last) is Robert Whitlow's book Water's Edge.  An accomplished author that weaves a mystery with amazing ease.  You have heard when it rains it pours.  Well poor Tom Crane life starts falling apart is when he finds that he has to find out what happened to his father's law practice.  And where did the two million dollars that was stashed in a bank account come from?  This was a wonderful modern day mystery.  And I loved going over the reading guide when I finished the tale. 
I want to say thanks to all the publishing houses and authors who share with me.  It is wonderful to have so many talented  people become part of my life through their wonderful stories.  As my readers and followers know.  This is never paid for.  Just happy to tell you of another good read.

100 LBS to Lose

Okay folks, I need your help here.  Accountability is the key and I am making myself accountable to all of y'all.  Now that is 254 people to keep me on my toes.  But I have a reward for you too for the help out.

Let me explain.  I have to lose 100 pounds.  And I am giving myself one year to get it done.  Yes, I am serious.  Here is my plan.  I have ordered a years supply of Cinch by Shaklee.  These are shake meal replacements.  And since I tend to just skip meals and then find myself starving at the end of the day, this will help me get my 3 meals a day.  I ordered vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and cafe latte.  Thus not worried about being bored with the flavors.  Each shake also has 24 grams of protein and 190 calories.  I also have the 3 in  Boost by Shaklee.  This is three supplements in one, for my metabolism, blood sugar and overall health.  Add in my filtered water and get back in my routine of daily exercise at Curves.  This seems to be the idea of how to get back on track.  But honestly I also need everyone here to help me out too.  Ask how I am doing, keep me going and do not let me get off with lame excuses. 

I also have Top Trainers from Healthy Fit Bodies to help me out.  This is a 10 DVD set that covers it all for the home workout program.  We have a DVD to help every area.  Ready for it?

• Cardio
• Thighs
• Core
• Abs
• Buns
• Yoga
• Ballet
• Pilates
• Latin Dance
• Plyometrics
• Interval Training
• Kickboxing

Now if that is not some list1  I am looking forward to the Shed Five Fast as a 30 minute workout.  There is also Yogini which is a blend of yoga and pilates for body-sculpting.  I wonder if I can get through the 6 minute Quick Blast for cardio and deep toning.  Eventually I hope to be able to do the kick boxing.  But my knees may not make that.  Dear Hubby will not mind me adding in the Latin Dancing and moving my curves for him too!  All of this includes a fitness guide, wall calendar and a free month with ediets.com too. 

I am serious enough to even give you my weight right now.  Yeah, we know a lady never tells her age or weight.  But at 265 pounds I am killing myself.  My start date is August 1st, 2011.  That gives me til Monday to get everything in gear.

Now here comes the good part for you.  I am going to give away 2 books to one of my readers.  The first is Sloan Barnett of former NBC's Today Show (and wife to Roger Barnett the CEO of Shaklee).  I have my AUTOGRAPHED copy of Green goes with Everything by Sloan Barnett.  This gives you her background as to why Green is so important.  As well as simple steps to living a healthier life.    And I also have The Gorgeously Green Diet by Sophie Uliano.  Here we have nearly 100 recipes, exercises and ways to save money and stay Green.  These are two of my books that I am willing to share in this giveaway.  They are valued at $45.90 as a set. 

How to win?  Simple....first be one of my GFC friends (mandatory).  Second, leave me a comment with a tip to lose weight or stay on my diet or stick to my plan.  What ever advice you think will help me through this next year.  Make sure I have your email so I can notify you as a winner too.  Wish me luck....and please do not give up on me!  BTW, these are my books and my plan.  This is NOT a sponsored post.  But Shaklee is helping me out by sending me the Cinch I have asked for.  They are good like that!  I also received the 10 DVDs from KMR Communications Inc.

Hot and Hurting

Well they often say "We have 'vays of making you talk" when one is being tortured.  But I am fighting off the pain and heat.  They are not going to break me! 

First I am excited at using the new Secret Clinical Strength Waterproof antiperspirant/deodorant.  If you are fighting 100+ temperatures on a daily basis like I am you understand this tool.  I get so hot and sweaty.  Yes sweaty.  No more of this delicate perspiration for me.  No big ol drops of wet rolling down my face all the time now.  I hate it.  But I am banking on this one to work..How did I score a years supply?  Well it was a Klout Perk!  If you have not tried Klout.com....then hurry.  It is a new tool to help bloggers.  And dang it....you may find some great perks for yourself too.  I was given a free product or sample because I'm a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

I am also fighting my arthritis which has my knees swollen twice their normal size.  I am dog/house sitting this week for a friend.  I have my two Grandbabes here with me too.  They love the upstairs kids game room.  And I can't blame them with air hockey table, Wii and a room for just toys.  A great set up.  Except the UPSTAIRS part.  I am going up and down all the time.  And it is killing my knees.  But I  am using my Topricin today.  This is a pain relief and therapeutic healing cream.  And get this....paraben free,homeopathic and doctor recommended.  I also have a tube of Topricin Junior for the grandbabes to use.  And being that I ran around barefoot all summer my feet are loving the Topricin foot therapy cream that is safe for diabetics.  Totally set up....and this is part of my new plan.

How are you fighting the summer heat?  How about joint pain?  I was happy to receive 3 tubes and a bottle of Topricin for myself and another set to share.I shared the Topricin with The Other Mother for her Lyme's disease.  I can't wait to find out how it is working out!

Pleasing the Grandbabes

What do you do with two grandbabes in a hot house with only one a/c in the bedroom?  Well you hide in that room all day long.  Thankfully it is only for a couple of days before we go to dog/house sit for a friend.  Where we get to play in the a/c play room upstairs and cool off in the UN-heated hot tub.  Whwe....it will be wonderful.

But in the meantime we are playing Wii, doing puzzles and watching videos.  This week we are going between two very different shows.  For my Grandson we have Season One of Conan the Adventurer.  Inspired by the Conan the Barbarian stories written by Robert E. Howard.  I love this as we celebrate Robert E. Howard days in the lil town of Cross Plains next to where we live.  I find this is a great way to introduce stories to him at such a young age.  It will be great in his preteen years when I start sharing the books Conan the Barbarian.  Have you use videos and comic books as a way to introduce books to your kiddos?  Well this is a fun series of comics from the 1980's that my Grandson is yelling for more already.

Ont he flip side my Granddaughter is loving the songs in VeggieTales Princess and the Pop Star.  With a singalong and learning how important it is to be ourselves.  This is a winner of a show.  I love seeing the kiddos dancing all around my room.  But had to stop them at bouncing on the bed.  VeggieTales has been her since my College Girl was a pre-teen.  A hit then and still going strong. I am so thankful these two DVD's arrived in the mail.  They have been a lifesaver.  I have to say thanks to Shout Factory and Big Idea Entertainment for sending these two DVD's for me to review.  The grandbabes are having a blast with them.

I'm Back with a FREE Cookbook

Whew, what a week off.  Texas heat abounds.  But it was great to have the time with Dear Hubby and run around.  Visited College Girl and was so proud of all of her hard work.  Traveled with Princess Emma who behaved like a dream!  Hard to do for a 4 going on 5 year old.  Enjoyed a birthday weekend with her and family.  And then had my Grandbabes arrive too!  Yippee!  They are here for a week.  But......  look what happened.

 The poor dear laid down for a nap and woke up with pink eye.  Dang the luck.  We did the ER thing since it was the weekend. 

Dear Hubby knew just how to keep him happy while waiting for the doctor.  Now it is eye drops and being isolated at home.  No visiting with other kiddos or great grand parents.  We are hiding at home in the bedroom keeping ourselves entertained.  They are a wiz at sword fighting on the Wii! 

I have tons of catching up to do.  Stacks and stacks of books to read.  And today this came in my email to share with you.  Really cool deal!

 My name is Chef Jeff (well, that's not my official name)

I am trying to create some buzz and get some feedback for my new ecookbook called DinneRevolution before I roll it out.

So here's the deal:  I am simply going to give it away for free to your readers. 

It sells for $27 so quite a good deal for your readers.  But they will have a link for a FREE copy.
 
I know you won't send *** out to your readers, so I am including a complimentary copy of the cookbook.  I'm real proud of it, and it's going to change the way your readers do dinner.  Here is the page to send your readers to for their free copy.  Here it is:
  
http://www.dinnerevolution.com/free-offer

I know this give-away is a little different than what you are used to, but I really want to get this in as many hands as possible for feedback before I roll it out. 

Hopefully it's a good fit for you.  The recipes are super family-friendly, healthy, have less than 10 ingredients, and take less than 30 minutes to prepare.

Let's get the family back to the dinner table and out of the fast food joints!

Let me know if you have any questions.  jeff@dinnerevolution.com

Thanks
Chef Jeff

Related articles

• Win Chef Jeff's New Cookbook: Dinnerevolution (mamasbagoftricks.blogspot.com)

On Vacation

Dear Hubby has this week off for his staycation.  We have several plans for work around the house.  Then also some doctors appointments.  And getting to visit with College Girl, Princess Emma and the Grandbabes.  So I know we are going to be very busy.  Thus, if you can forgive me, I am taking the week off to be with Dear Hubby and the family.  I will see y'all next week!

Mom's Great

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

My mom is wonderful, absolutely wonderful, but she’s getting older and having a lot of trouble keeping up with who and where she is. It’s not that she’s got dementia, it’s just part of her getting older so I want to do everything I can to make sure her life is as comfortable as possible. I found her a small apartment to rent near my own and it was such a great deal we decided to buy. She likes being so close to me and I like being able to keep tabs on her – we’ve made some improvements, too, to make the place feel more like home. We called http://www.HomeSecurity101.com and went to a professional decorator for help and now mom says she likes this new place even more than she liked her old house! I love being able to help her out with something and I know she feels better being taken care of. It’s a win win for both of us and now I get to spend even more time with her!

All the Babies

I have to say there are so many lovely kiddos in my life.  Be it my grandbabes or Princess Emma or our brand new baby SJ who arrived yesterday.  So happy to finally get to meet him.

Of course with kiddos the instinct is to protect and provide for them.  It seems to be automatic to me.  So every time I grow close to a child I start thinking of what I could do to help make their life easier.  Currently I wish I could give SJ a calm loving bedroom for him to come home to.  This is the one I would pick if I could.

I love The Very Hungry Caterpillar so much.  It lets me know how much life is ever changing.  This is a set up that will be coming to the Pottery Barn soon.  Watch out for it.

Another bedroom I love would be for Princess Emma.  She recently moved into her pink bedroom that Other Mother and Papa have been working on for her.  Don't you think this would work out too?


Another item I want to share soon is the new Dinosaur Train book, Dinosaur Train Lift the Flap “Let’s Go To Volcano Valley,” from Reader’s Digest.  It will be on my list for my Grandbabe.  He loves Dinosaur Train and Buddy.  Add in the books that they read every night, he would be very interactive with this one.  It is a perfect present for him.    I am excited that the grandbabes will be coming to visit with me very soon.  It has been over a month.  I think I am going into nonnie withdrawal.

What do we plan on doing?  Well I have a large collection of rocks here at my home.  It was built by a mason.  And some of the most interesting rocks are right here in my back yard.  So I thought that in honor of National Recreation and Parks Month we would do a rock hunt.  Add in our lil pool for water time, it seems we can cool off too!  Summertime is here and what better way to spend the summer with family and friends than on an adventure to visit one of our national parks and/or recreation destinations. July is Park and Recreation Month in the U.S., and the theme for this year’s celebration is “Rock Your Park.”  Since we can not do a major trip, I thought a 'stay-cation' right here would work.  What do you suggest we add in? 

Thank Goodness it is Tuesday GIVEAWAY

Today I have to rely on a oldie but goodie.....Thankful Tuesday.  Yesterday was so nice that I wanted to share it with everyone.  First off it made a major difference to wake up and not be burning up hot.  Whew!  Then I was able to make coffee, go online a bit and the best part of the morning was a lil nap.  Yeppers.  I went back to sleep for a bit.  Now that is just unheard of for me.  But it was a wonderful rest and I woke for a second time to a call from College Girl.  Love having heard from her.

The day progressed pretty calm.  Well if you like having 5 dogs, 2 cats and 5 kittens underfoot.  Actually they all behaved pretty well.  I was able to get my post here done, clean up the living room in the morning while it was still cool and even have a bit of lunch too.  Our Gentleman that lives with us declared the evening to be pizza night at the local pizza parlor in town.  They have a good deal on Monday nights that we took advantage off.  He had Other Mother, Poppa and Princess Emma join in.  We also took pizza to our Wee One at work and picked up her beau from his job to join us.  Granny M and her best friend met up with us too.  So the 10 of us had dinner for about $4.00 per person.  And I promise we ate our fill of pizza.

Afterwards it was time to pop over to Dairy Queen for ice cream.  Our Gentleman loves that treat.  Well just as we were pulling up I had a text message.  Look at it....wow.....imagine the luck.

Comanche Dairy Queen

Hey Crazed Mind, we really appreciate you coming to our DQ very often and all the great complements you give us, thank you so much! For being an awesome customer, we will like to give you a FREE Medium Blizzard of your choice!! Thanks A lot and once again, we are looking forward to see you again!! Have a great day!!

That came at the right time so in I walked to collect on the goodies!  The special this month is Triple Chocoholic Blizzards.  I love it!  And was told next month will be Nutter Butter....College Girl will be home in time for that one.  It was so nice of our Dairy Queen to award me.  And I am thankful they appreciate my kind words.  More so I love their caring service.

Now all of this has me thinking of  how we accept happiness into our lives.  I feel we need to recognize the everyday joys and take our pleasure from them.  Be it the thump of the kittens playing at my feet right now.  Or the phone call from my grandson when he had his mom's cell.  I have notes up all over with quotes to remind me of the joy in my life.  Many people have this sort of thing on their facebook page or computer monitor.  Is there every anyone you wish you could remind how happy life really is?  Well you could help out by sharing 'Happiness Quotations' with them.  I am so glad to have the reminders that we can control our own happiness by accepting it into our lives.  Erica Nelson (the author for Happiness Quotations) has 5 steps to help us do just that.

Step 1:  Remember your strengths.  Get  back in touch with your gifts.  You have forgotten what is amazing about you.  Begin to remember these things.
Step 2:  Awe
Step 3:  Forgive
Step 4:  Connect to source energy or divine guidance
Step 5:  Check in with yourself and simply ask yourself to experience more happiness in every situation.  Happiness isn't always complicated.

I know that my motto is "There is always time to DANCE!".  Well that is because in dancing I am always filled with joy.  I hope to help others remember that what I actually mean, is there is always time to fill joy and let happiness fill you.  Thanks so much to Erica for sharing her book with me.  I am taking to flipping through it each morning and reading a different quote.  But I bet I will be having them sent to my email soon.  She will do that for you too if you just fill out the lil form here.

Oh and look at what I just received in my email.

Wow Lynette!!!

May I send you a few copies of my book, one to keep and another to share as "prizes" with your followers? I feel so blessed to have been promoted in this lovely manner. I posted a thank you on your blog!
Erica

So yes, we have a giveaway too.  Easy to win your own copy.  Just leave me a comment with how you draw happiness in your life.  Make sure I have your email so I can contact you if your the lucky winner!

Heat up the Kitchen

Well today I can finally breath without any pain.  It is amazing that by cooling off I am so much better.  My sinus headache is gone.  My earache is gone.  My toothache is gone.  But sadly my arthritis is still here.

I love my new room.  The window a/c has cooled things off so much.  We moved in the computer, TV and Wii for our entertainment.  I also made it a bit of lil hotel suite.  How?  Added in our coffee maker so I can make a nice cuppa while being cooled off.  I could not do that with the heat that we have been experiencing.  Lunch included iced coffee.

Now thinking of all that is in here I had to figure out what I wanted to do next.  Well that is not easy.  Being cooled off most of the time now, I am hoping I can start cooking again.  We have not been having any good meals here at home.  I need to get back to cooking and feeding my family properly.  And I can do that with a lil helpful shopping list.  Do you have a stocked kitchen?  One that has the same items in it all the time?  Well I know I tend to always purchase the same items over and over again.  But it can create a stale menu if your not careful.  Well I have found the perfect shopping list from The Stocked Kitchen. 

What is so great about this list?  Well it goes along with The Stocked Kitchen Cookbook.  From this one list you can make 300 different recipes.  Here is the first one I want to try.

Bruschetta Pasta

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Course: main dish

Ingredients
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T olive oil
2 C fresh tomatoes, diced
1/2 C fresh basil chopped
1/2 lb pasta, cooked and drained

Directions
Mix together vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic. Whisk in oil well to emulsify.
Fold in tomatoes and basil.
Toss with cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese. If desired, top with cooked chicken or shrimp.

Sounds easy enough.  And with those same items I could also make Tomato Artichoke Pasta or Tomato Basil Egg White Omelette.  Of course we would add in an item or two.  But that is still 3 different meals from the same basic items.  I hate having to purchase something that I am only going to use once or twice in a year.  So The Stocked Kitchen would be a great help.  Using the hopping list to keep the same items up to date all the time would also make shopping much easier.  Just clip it to my fridge and mark items as I run low. 

What is some of your favorite dishes?  Do you like to keep the same items around or do you like to experiment often.  With 300 recipes I am sure we could have a wide variety of meals.  This was a nice book to review.  Thanks so for sending it to me. 

Email Alert!

You know I never realized all the special emails I receive.  

That there are so many amazing offers out there waiting just for me.  

Why just today I have had the opportunity to have my horoscope read while getting my credit report.  

There are offers for me to have sex (with whom I can not know) since I have the chance to look great using my Total Gym.  

Of course I have to watch out for injury since there has been a hip recall but passed the pre-screening process from the cleaning pros.  

I can get 70% off a TV and 95% off retail too. 

"LuckyRobert" wanted to know how I am doing but he could have called on the Verizon wireless network.  There are coupons I can use for everyone in my family (and I come from a large family).  

Paisley prints are stylish again and I might use that in my newly remodeled bathroom.  

Well?  

Just how special are you in your SPAM folder?

Sugar to Melt For

Well hello folks!  Today has been one for travel and food.  What a great combination.  We popped over to Hico Texas which is about an hours drive.  Granny M and Our Gentleman joined Dear Hubby and I.  What a wonderful meal we all had.  Just had to gush over it.

At the Koffee Kup in Hico, home of the best homemade pies in Texas, we all pigged out.  Between chicken liver dinners that was over flowing to blue cheese burgers and homemade beef stew, it was not long before we were all full.  Filled up two large to go plates of food for our dinner tonight.  But we were not going to give up on the pies.

I had to have the Banana Blueberry Cheesecake Pie.  Dear Hubby did the Doctor's Office and Our Gentleman had Peanut Butter Pie.  Granny M was just too stuffed to eat another bite but we ordered a Chocolate Fudge Pecan Pie anyway.  Well slices of each I mean.  Oh my goodness!  Heaven.

Then we walked across the street to Wiseman House.  This is some of the best truffles I have ever tasted.  Oh the Wild Woman and Dark Chocolate Rufus are to die for.  Add in fresh Cinnamon Coffee!  Yes, more and more.  But I am a sucker for all the yummies.  I love when we get the chance to visit here.  What a beautiful home it is anyway.  But to open the door to all the lovely chocolate.  It is a candy store for adults!  Well we were more than dying but kept the chocolates for when we are at home.  What a treat.

So then it was the trip back home.  But wait, wait, we had to make a stop in Dublin, Texas, Home of Dr. Pepper!  Besides being the oldest Dr Pepper bottler in the world, Dublin Dr Pepper also has the distinction of being bottled with Imperial Pure Cane Sugar - the original Dr Pepper formula. And at Old Doc's Soda Shoppe we had to order us a Frosty Pepper each.  This is to die for ice cream malts. Frosty Peppers combine the flavor of vanilla ice cream with Dr. Pepper syrup to create a malt.  Well we finally made it back home.  And Dear Hubby laid down for a diabetic induced nap.  It will be needed as tonight we are visiting with a friend for her Birthday Cake and Ice Cream.  Oh what a sugar filled day.

Hey better news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  READY?  If you cross your fingers, eyes, knees and toes.......it looks like we are going to get a window a/c unit in our bedroom.  Oh and then finally....finally....maybe....I will finally get to cool off!  Everyone....help me wish this one in......I am so needing the relief!

Oh and  today is National Sugar Cookie Day!

Related articles

• Dr. Pepper a true original - Dublin, TX (travelpod.com)

Cool & Clean

Today I was able to get quite a bit of housework done.  Even though it was 104 in the house.  How?  Well a partnership actually.   My kiddie pool and Shaklee Corporation.

No they did not get me a kiddie pool.  But I did jump in and out of it all day long.  Getting soaked, cooled off and them back inside to clean for awhile.  Thankfully I did not have to 'bust a move' inside with the help from Shaklee products.  I first made up some cleaner for the counters and such.  I used the Basic H²® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate. For all-purpose cleaning:  Add 1/4 tsp. to 16 oz. of water.  Ultraconcentrated – 16 ounces makes up to 48 gallons of super powerful cleaner when mixed with water. That is .21 cents a gallon for member cost.  For windows and mirrors:  Add 1-2 drops to 16 oz. of water.   1 bottle of Basic H2 equals the cleaning uses of 5,824 bottles of 26 oz. Windex®. That is less than .01 cent for a 16 oz bottle. Amazing!

Photo from Shaklee Corporation at http://www.shaklee.com/category.php?main_cat=homecare&sub_cat=GetCleanStarterKit&type=sub

Then I had to do the dishes including some nasty pots and pans.  Thankfully I used Scour Off™ Heavy Duty Paste to clean them up.  And oh does my arthritis joints jump for joy here.  No hard scrubbing to do.  Sure did make it an easy and quick job.  If you battle this disease then you understand how much a simple job as nasty pans can reduce you to tears.  I am so happy that my wrist are not screaming out in pain yet my pots and pans are shiny once again.

My last job was laundry.  It has piled up this week.  The heat is great for drying the clothes on the line.  In the time it takes to wash a load, the ones on the line are completely dried and almost feel like they have been ironed.  But I was out of the laundry soap that I make up.  So instead I used the Fresh Laundry Concentrate HE Compatible (Liquid).  It only takes an ounce to do a load.  That makes it only .40 cents a load.  Not bad there either.  And I loved the scent.  It was like the ocean breeze was blowing in.  I could feel the sun on my back from the open back door.  The water running in the washer.  And the scent from the Shaklee laundry soap.....made me sigh in relief.  I never thought that doing laundry would feel so nice.

Now that was quite a bit of housework to do today.  Between the trips to the pool, I had managed to get the kitchen floors pretty wet.  So I popped out my Libman Freedom Mop and did a quick job of it.  Yes, I did use the Basic H²® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate in the mop too.  So versatile.  And I did not even slip or slide.

I am proud to have the house clean again.  And to have accomplished it in this heat.  But I know it would not have been possible without my kiddie pool and Shaklee.  I do wish to tell Shaklee thanks for providing the supplies.  They were a gift from my recent California Dreaming visit with them.  Oh and by the way....an extra bit of information.  All Shaklee products are always safe, always work and are always Green!

Related articles

• Success meets Amazing (theysayimnuts.blogspot.com)

Goofing Off

Hey how is everyone holding up here?  I know it is harder than all get out for me to get into shape this summer.  No not the let me loose weight shape...as much as that is needed.  But the get off my butt and get to work shape.  I tell you the heat is knocking me out on my fanny.  And I really hate that.

But let me move on.  So had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.  Did a fun family cookout.  Missed College Girl not getting to be a part of things but she is loving her summer internship in Dallas.  Had a surprise visit from the grandbabes and the other kiddos.  Wonderful as can be!  And of course went to the fireworks show here.  That is the anniversary of Dear Hubby and my first date.  Oh and a long time ago friend and beau called me.  Was so much fun catching up with each other.  Hopefully him and his wife will be through for a visit sometime soon.

What else?  Humm, well have had Princess Emma over some.  Not as much with the horrid heat here.  You know Texas summers and no a/c is not a great match up.  But we are still plugging away.  The kiddie pool has become a great life saver for us.  Also quiet afternoons are a norm right now.  We have enjoyed reading "God Gave Us You" together.  A darling lil cardboard book that I want to use this winter for a Christmas gift.  I love how the polar bears here tell the process of having a baby in a gentle fashion.  Most of all sharing what a gift their baby is to them.  This will be a good one to have for our new grandbabe that we are expecting.

Another quiet afternoon joy has been our new DVD with Eric Herman.  It is "The Elephant DVD" that emerged from the homemade music video called "The Elephant Song".  

Has me singing along. But now with our DVD we can also have the other songs of Eric's. I know that some of the songs can be a bit off, like Steve the Superhero, but they are funny.  Princess Emma giggles at the idea of body odor being a fighting tool.  So yeah, it gets hot here...but not to much so that we can not still dance around and sing with "The Elephant DVD".  This is like an update version of School House Rock for me.

Of course it is not all fun in games unless you have a new Freaky Pet to enjoy also.  Have you seen them?  Each one has a cute side and a cranky side.  (Oh don't we all!)  You can get them at the Hallmark Crown Stores then go online and register your pet.  Then the kiddos will be playing with them in person and with friends online.  I love the lil green Monket that arrived here.  He loves all things fast and acrobatic.  But get going too long and too fast and cranky can become a reptilian wreaking machine.  Freaky Pets are guaranteed to make life interesting no matter what planet you live on! A new interactive that combines a unique line of transformable plush creatures with a browser-based 3D virtual world for kids (and adults) of all ages.  You can try it for FREE just by clicking on the new account button at www.freakypets.com. The first one is free, but to unlock any of the other Freaky Pets you will need to purchase a Freaky Pet reversible toy. Each pet comes with a secret code that brings it to life online.

Yeah I know, I love playing with the kiddos.  It is what keeps me young.  And also I am lucky that these items were sent to me to review.  I did not get paid of course, just the fun of playing with them.  Lucky me!  Guess it is time to get off my duff and get to work now.  Laundry, dishes, pets...you know the usual house hold drudgery.

In Transit or In Suspense?

"What is my Italian baby doing with that Irish cop?" is what Rita's mom is thinking.
"Why would 'Twinkle-Toes' pair up with such a brute?" is what Rita's training Sargent is thinking.
'How can my partner be so blinded by that dirty cop?" is what Rita's NYPD partner is thinking.

But Rita is thinking that this is the answer from the psychic at the shopping mall.  Rita is the perfect example of eyes closed instead of open wide.  Seeing things from her rose colored glasses while her fingers are crossed behind her back.  Coming across on the job as a hard nose NYPD transit officer but inside still being the ballerina princess she once dreamed of.

I am so enjoying reading 'In Transit' by award winner Kathleen Gerard.  It is great for a mid summer read out on the front porch.  Of course I love to curl up with a good book, it is the most relaxing part of summer for me.  Kathleen Gerard, who I first heard on NPR, manages to write with both the true grit of a police suspense novel while carrying over the dew-eyed romance novel.  Not an easy task to do.  'In Transit', thankfully, does not come across as a fluff piece.  Instead it is compelling, carrying me through the maze of love mixed up on the police force. 

I do wish to thank Tribute Books for sending me the advance copy of 'In Transit' and allowing me to be part of their blog tour.   Pop over to meet some great book reviewers and hopefully some new friends too.  Now it is time for me to go back out to the porch, laze in front of the big ol fan out there and get back to my new friend Rita.  I wonder how she is going to get through the mess her life is muddling into?  Wanna join me?