That Perfect Card

My goodness how the time does slip by.  I am sure your just as busy at your home as I am here.  We have been doing all of the day to day life but add in the extra gotta get done too.  The poor yard was ignored all summer with the heat wave.  And now it has decided to rain.  The most lush yard of horrid weeds you ever did see has cropped up.  So as soon as it stops raining (which we do not really wish for it to do) it is time to drag out the lawnmower.  In December no less.


The Christmas tree has also been hauled out of the garage.  Dusted off and made to shine with the lights, garland, tinsel and ornaments.  Looks pretty okay to me.  And we took down many of our day to day knick-knacks and photos to put up Christmas decorations.  It looks good and so far doggie and kitty safe.  Of course we are keeping the gifts put up.  I can just see how they would all be torn up if they were out unguarded.  


And as always there are last minute gifts to wrap.  You have that at your home don't you.  Something that caught you attention at the last moment.  Or you found in the back of the closet where you hid it last April.  Oh and I had to get some special cards out.  Yes, we have the traditional Christmas cards.  I am a recycler in the worst way.  I use the ones from last year to make tags for my gifts this year.  Honestly!  But I have 3 special cards from Blue Mountain Arts that I just have to share this season.  


One if for my niece who is having to really pull up the boot straps and get down to the nitty gritty in life.  Her husband left her this fall with 3 young girls and no job, car or cash.  Well she did not waste any time at all.  Got a job, found a rent house and is doing what needs to be done.  I know how hard it is on her.  But at the same time, so very proud of her hard work and determination.  In the middle of all of this muck and mire I want to remind her of how wonderful she is.  So I have one that tells her just that.  Some of what this card says is:


"Life can disappoint you sometimes,
and things happen that you didn't expect and don't deserve.
But I know the amazing person you are,
the beautiful dreams you have,
and the wonderful gifts you possess..."


It goes on to tell her how proud of her we are.  And that she is capable of doing much more than she ever expected to do.  More so that she is loved, honored and cherished.  I know it is just the right card for her right now.  


I also have a friend who does not celebrate the holidays in the manner we do.  But I love letting her know just how special she is to me.  Over 25 years of friendship is not to be sneezed at.  And lifetime friends are to be treasured.  So instead of the traditional Christmas card she is getting one of the Blue Mountain Arts cards.  These cards are the creation of Susan and Stephen Schutz.  A start up company 40 years ago that became a nationwide known go to greeting card to find the one that really said just the right thing.  I have always adored the water color art work on the cards along with the perfect poems.  “We are proud to launch our new Blue Mountain Arts Classics greeting cards,” said Susan. “These are emotions and messages about the most important things people are compelled to share with others. Lovely designs are captured in brilliant hues, printed on embossed Deckle cut paper to provide the finishing touch of a feathered edge. These are cards that people will treasure forever.”


The very best of the 3 cards I am sharing this year is the one I gave already to College Girl.  She is my solace, my soul within, my amazing awe.  And I just had to find a way to let her know how much I honor her, adore her and want to always be there for her.  Well of course, that is just what I found in the card for her.  (I told you this is the perfect card company.)   I hope they don't mind, but I just have to share this one with you.  Now remember these are copyrighted.  So please just read, don't use it!

For My Beautiful Daughter


I looked at you today and saw the same beautiful eyes that looked at me with love when you were a baby...
I looked at you today and saw the same beautiful moth that made me cry when you first smiled at me when you were a baby.  It was not long ago that I held you in my arms long after you fell asleep and I just kept rocking you all night long.  I looked at you today and saw my beautiful daughter--no longer a baby but a beautiful person with a full range of emotions, feelings, ideas and goals.  Every day is exciting as I continue to watch you grow.  I want you to always know that in good and in bad times, I will love you.  And that no matter what you do or how you think or what you say, you can depend on my support, guidance, friendship and love every minute of every day.  I love being your mother.


Well?  Isn't that perfect?  Well it is for us.  Especially with the rocking part.  She is 24 and to this day I can wrap my arms around her, rock and she starts to drift off.  You know it brought tears to my eyes and to hers. I am so happy to be able to tell her just how I feel in such a simple yet beautiful way.  


So what is the lil different things you do during the holidays?  Do you single out those very special people in your life and let them know they are honored?  Oh and just so you know, Blue Mountain has Christmas cards too!  Thanks so much to them for sharing with me.  It is also appreciated.

My Personal Gift

 Every year I make sure to treat myself to a Christmas gift.  Yes, it may sound selfish but I feel that we need to treat ourselves too.  If I am going to go crazy getting gifts for all kinds of people (and I mean that) then why not think of myself too.  After all I know me better than anyone else does.  Now it is not amazing expensive gifts.  But instead a gift that I know I will treasure and helps me grow in some way.  

I have given myself the gift of Curves to work out.  Even given me a stuffed animal when I knew I really needed something soft and cuddly to hold on too.  I have given myself gifts for Christmas for all of my adult life.  Well I found my gift this year.  It is just for me.  (Not that it would not be great for others...but this is my selfish part.)  I battle with depression and part of that is a low self esteem.  I try to put a big bold front up.  Making people think I am brave and out going and larger than life.  But it hides much of what I feel and fear inside.  Now I can let that out.  And feel less stress and tension from those feelings.  I bet it will help me grow to.  You know...to let it out and hear what I have to say for myself. 

 Loving Yourself is a diary that is perfect for women of all ages that allow them to reconnect with their inner self by reflecting on things that are sometimes dismissed during hectic days.  “In today’s culture, there is an overemphasis upon the outer package and not enough on self esteem, self respect, and self confidence,” says Sagal Omar, Founder of Inspirational Diaries.  “We need to offer women and young adolescents a vehicle to empower themselves by reconnecting with who they are from the inside.” 

Loving Yourself diary begins with an introduction on how to love yourself.  Each day in the diary then displays a daily question, along with a powerful quote which is designed to move you to a joyful and fulfilling life. The diary questions how you have cared for your body and spirit as well as focusing on what you are grateful for, how you can help others, and making each day better than the next.  Each month follows a different quote theme.

January - Loving Yourself

February - Gratitude

March - Giving

April - Faith

May - Dreams

June - Health

July - Joy & Happiness

August - Growing

September - Fun & Pleasure

October - Being the Best You Can Be!

November - Family & Friends

December - Love & Romance

For those who are tech-savvy and would rather journal online, Loving Yourself is also available in digital format.  Offering the same unique and inviting capabilities as the original, the online version helps people connect and explore their inner self from any location.  Each user has instant access to their online diary by visiting the Web site and using their login and password to sign in.  Additionally, the history of every entry is saved and able to be referred to at any time.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Can You Keep a Secret?

I love my Dear Hubby.  You know I do.  I talk about him all the time.  And I try try try to make life easy on him.  He works so very hard at two jobs.  Doing it so he can provide child support to his two previous wives.  It is important, that is for sure.  But in doing all he does he gets very very very little comfort.
I try to do things for him.  Like rub his feet with Avon Cracked Heel Relief cream.  It makes them softer and heals them from all the walking and standing he has to do.  I also try to keep his medication box filled.  He doesn't have to think about what he has to take for his different ailments.  Just opens his hand and pours what we call the old age breakfast into it.  Not fun but needed.  Oh, in the winter, when he is in the shower getting ready for work.  I grab his uniforms and under clothes and run them in the dryer to get warm.  Nothing like getting out of the shower and having warm and toasty items to dress in.  Since we do not have heaters in our bathrooms it can get pretty drafty in this 100 year old house.
But, this year....I am not going to be doing that one anymore.  Why?  Have I had enough?  Am I rebelling?  Why would I not continue to treat a hard working man to a small creature comfort?  Why?????
Well because I have a special surprise for him.  I have an Infinity Towel Warmer from Warmly Yours to install in the bathroom.  This is a plug in model so just a few screws and all, then it will be ready to go.  I think he is going to be totally blown away with this.  He will have his own spa treatment.  Hang his clothes and towel on the Infinity Towel Warmer.  Plug it in.  Hop in the shower....and viola', instant happiness.  There are 10 bars to hand his items on.  And it only weighs 9 pounds.  So I am not worried about it pulling out of the wall once secured there.  There is also a 1 year warranty with it.   
Now I am going to show you a picture of it.  It is not hanging up here.  Not yet.  Remember it is a surprise for Dear Hubby.  No telling anyone.....especially you two guys....Skyler's Dad and Captain Dumbass....yeah, I know y'all want one of these too!  I am going to give it to him for Christmas.  Install it while he is sleeping and have it there Christmas morning.  Don't you think he is going to love it?  I do!
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary Infinity Towel Warmer from Warmly Yours to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.  But gosh, I thought this was amazing as it is.  Lucky me!

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.

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