And don't forget to pick up the add on and alpha to go with it - or get the bundle and save 30%
Here are a few things I have made with this beautiful kit
And a custom background for Twitter ...
All images are clickable
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Serenity
Have you seen HollyAnn's fabulous new kit, Serenity? It is filled with soft colors and beautiful elements.
Here are a few things I have made with this beautiful kit
Here are a few things I have made with this beautiful kit
Friday, July 17, 2009
Frozen Strawberry Mockaritas
OK, so I don't usually do this the "mock" way, but now that I'm working on a healthier lifestyle I can really do without the additional calories in the tequila and triple sec, not to mention the adverse effects that alcohol can have on your body - so even if you prefer the real thing, give these a try.
This recipe calls for Truvia - this is the only artificial sweetener that I know of that comes in granular form.
Your ice should be cracked or crushed before blending.
If fresh strawberries are out of season, use frozen. You can also try other fresh or frozen fruit. If you don't have fresh limes, you can use the bottled stuff.
Frozen Strawberry Mockaritas
Ingredients
- 1/4 lime, cut into 2 wedges
- 2 packets of Truvia
- 8 large fresh strawberries, with hull removed
- 1 cup cracked ice
- 1/2 cup Crystal Light lemonade, prepared
Directions
Pour out one of the packets of Truvia onto a saucer.
Take one of the lemon wedges and slide it around the rim of your glass, carefully dip the wet rim into the Truvia on the saucer to coat the rim with the sweetener.
Place the strawberries in a blender, sprinkle with the rest of the Truvia from the saucer plus the second packet. Squeeze the two lime wedges on top, add the ice and lemonade.
Blend on high until the ice and strawberries are all completely blended.
Pour into your prepared glass, garnish with an additional strawberry or lime wedge.Number of
This makes one serving with only 53 calories!
Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 52.8
Total Fat: 0.6 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 2.4 mg
Total Carbs: 12.0 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.8 g
Protein: 1.1 g
This recipe calls for Truvia - this is the only artificial sweetener that I know of that comes in granular form.
Your ice should be cracked or crushed before blending.
If fresh strawberries are out of season, use frozen. You can also try other fresh or frozen fruit. If you don't have fresh limes, you can use the bottled stuff.
Frozen Strawberry Mockaritas
Ingredients
- 1/4 lime, cut into 2 wedges
- 2 packets of Truvia
- 8 large fresh strawberries, with hull removed
- 1 cup cracked ice
- 1/2 cup Crystal Light lemonade, prepared
Directions
Pour out one of the packets of Truvia onto a saucer.
Take one of the lemon wedges and slide it around the rim of your glass, carefully dip the wet rim into the Truvia on the saucer to coat the rim with the sweetener.
Place the strawberries in a blender, sprinkle with the rest of the Truvia from the saucer plus the second packet. Squeeze the two lime wedges on top, add the ice and lemonade.
Blend on high until the ice and strawberries are all completely blended.
Pour into your prepared glass, garnish with an additional strawberry or lime wedge.Number of
This makes one serving with only 53 calories!
Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 52.8
Total Fat: 0.6 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 2.4 mg
Total Carbs: 12.0 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.8 g
Protein: 1.1 g
Monday, July 13, 2009
3 Easy steps to customizing your blog
1) - Open the header of your choice in your digital editing software and add your title.
- Add your photo or logo if applicable.
- save your header and background to an image share site that will give you a direct image link, such as photobucket (any site that you can upload and share your images through that will give you a link that looks something like http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m241/yourbucket/image.jpg)
2) HEADER:
- sign in to your blog
{from the dashboard} click 'layout' under the title of the blog you want to add your new blog wear to
{from the blog} click 'customize' in the upper right hand corner click 'page elements'
- click 'edit' On the long rectangle at the top of the layout that has your title in it
- paste the direct link you acquired from your photo sharing site into the 'From the web' slot (you will see your new header apear)
- click 'Instead of title and description'
- click save
3) BACKGROUND:
- click 'pick new template' choose 'minima', which is the first choice in the top left
- click 'Edit HTML' and scroll down until you find the following set of html code:
(they are located in the upper section of the codes, just scroll slowly and you will find them)
body {
background: #ffffff;
margin: 0;
After finding them, change them into these codes:
body {
background:#fff url("direct URL of the image");
background-position: center;
background-attachment: fixed;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
margin: 0;
(“direct URL of the image”) is what you created earlier when you uploaded your image - the http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m241/yourbucket/image.jpg the link DOES need to be in parentheses and quotation marks as above
- Add your photo or logo if applicable.
- save your header and background to an image share site that will give you a direct image link, such as photobucket (any site that you can upload and share your images through that will give you a link that looks something like http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m241/yourbucket/image.jpg)
2) HEADER:
- sign in to your blog
{from the dashboard} click 'layout' under the title of the blog you want to add your new blog wear to
{from the blog} click 'customize' in the upper right hand corner click 'page elements'
- click 'edit' On the long rectangle at the top of the layout that has your title in it
- paste the direct link you acquired from your photo sharing site into the 'From the web' slot (you will see your new header apear)
- click 'Instead of title and description'
- click save
3) BACKGROUND:
- click 'pick new template' choose 'minima', which is the first choice in the top left
- click 'Edit HTML' and scroll down until you find the following set of html code:
(they are located in the upper section of the codes, just scroll slowly and you will find them)
body {
background: #ffffff;
margin: 0;
After finding them, change them into these codes:
body {
background:#fff url("direct URL of the image");
background-position: center;
background-attachment: fixed;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
margin: 0;
(“direct URL of the image”) is what you created earlier when you uploaded your image - the http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m241/yourbucket/image.jpg the link DOES need to be in parentheses and quotation marks as above
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Resistance Band GIVEAWAY + Top 3 Leg Strengthening excercises
I just stumbled upon a new giveaway and thought I would share ...
Enter at the parents.com website
Do you have a resistance band? If not, make sure you enter this one, it's as easy as sending an email and they are giving away 100 of them.
I love my band, use it every other day for strength training. The giveaway page talks about using it for your arms, which I occasionally do - but more often I use it for low mount leg exercises.
Try tying one end to something low (I slip the handle onto the bottom of my {heavy} coffee table leg) and the other onto one leg - I go through a series of 3 exercises, 2 sets of 15 reps per leg.
(The following exercises are courtesy of sparkpeople.com)
For video of how to do each exercise, just click the name and it will take you to the SparkPeople demonstration for that one.
1) Low Mount Hip Flexor with Band
Stand with the mount behind you, band attached to right leg, weight on the left leg, knee slightly bent. Place hands on hips or on a chair back or wall for balance if necessary. Flex right foot.
EXHALE: Lift right knee up to at least hip level, keeping knee bent at 90 degrees.
INHALE: Slowly lower to starting position to complete one rep. Finish 12-15 reps
Muscles Worked: Hips, Upper Thigh, Glute
2) Low Mount Abduction with Band
Continuing on the right leg, turn with your left side toward the mount. Shift weight into left foot keeping knee soft and right foot flexed. Allow the resistance to pull your right leg across the center line of your body to start.
EXHALE: Extend your right leg straight out to the right side, leading with your outer thigh towards the ceiling, keeping foot flexed.
INHALE: Slowly lower with control to starting position to complete one rep. Finish 12-15 reps.
Muscles Worked: Outer thigh, Hips, Glutes
3) Low Mount Adduction with Band
Turn around so that your right side is toward the mount. Shift weight into left foot keeping knee soft and left foot flexed. Allow the resistance to pull your right leg out to the left side of your body to start.
EXHALE: Keeping foot flexed, leading with your inner thigh, sweep your right leg across your body towards the left as far as you can. Hold for 1-3 counts.
INHALE: Slowly return to starting position to complete one rep. Finish 12-15 reps.
Muscles Worked: Inner thigh, Quads
Switch the band to your left leg and complete 12-15 reps of each exercise. Complete a second set on each leg.
Modifications:
If any of these is too easy step farther away from the mount; do not let leg rest on ground in between reps; do not hold onto a wall, etc. for balance.
(For added difficulty on the Hip Flexor, you can swing arms forward and back as if running to challenge your balance.)
If any of these are too hard you can move closer to the mount for less tension; rest your foot on the floor between reps; hold on to something (chair back, table, wall) for balance.
Remember: Keep abs tight and upper body stationary. Avoid leaning back or to the sides during the movement. Raise/lower with control-- don't let the band's resistance snap your leg back down to the starting position.
BALANCE TIP!: For help with balance when completing any of these exercises, try holding on to your ears -I know, it sound weird, but I promise, it works!
If you love these exercises and want to see more, click the link below ...
So, leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite exercise is - could be cardio or strength training, with or without a band, yours just may be featured in an upcoming post ;)
Enter at the parents.com websiteDo you have a resistance band? If not, make sure you enter this one, it's as easy as sending an email and they are giving away 100 of them.
I love my band, use it every other day for strength training. The giveaway page talks about using it for your arms, which I occasionally do - but more often I use it for low mount leg exercises.
Try tying one end to something low (I slip the handle onto the bottom of my {heavy} coffee table leg) and the other onto one leg - I go through a series of 3 exercises, 2 sets of 15 reps per leg.
(The following exercises are courtesy of sparkpeople.com)
For video of how to do each exercise, just click the name and it will take you to the SparkPeople demonstration for that one.
1) Low Mount Hip Flexor with Band
Stand with the mount behind you, band attached to right leg, weight on the left leg, knee slightly bent. Place hands on hips or on a chair back or wall for balance if necessary. Flex right foot.
EXHALE: Lift right knee up to at least hip level, keeping knee bent at 90 degrees.
INHALE: Slowly lower to starting position to complete one rep. Finish 12-15 reps
Muscles Worked: Hips, Upper Thigh, Glute
2) Low Mount Abduction with Band
Continuing on the right leg, turn with your left side toward the mount. Shift weight into left foot keeping knee soft and right foot flexed. Allow the resistance to pull your right leg across the center line of your body to start.
EXHALE: Extend your right leg straight out to the right side, leading with your outer thigh towards the ceiling, keeping foot flexed.
INHALE: Slowly lower with control to starting position to complete one rep. Finish 12-15 reps.
Muscles Worked: Outer thigh, Hips, Glutes
3) Low Mount Adduction with Band
Turn around so that your right side is toward the mount. Shift weight into left foot keeping knee soft and left foot flexed. Allow the resistance to pull your right leg out to the left side of your body to start.
EXHALE: Keeping foot flexed, leading with your inner thigh, sweep your right leg across your body towards the left as far as you can. Hold for 1-3 counts.
INHALE: Slowly return to starting position to complete one rep. Finish 12-15 reps.
Muscles Worked: Inner thigh, Quads
Switch the band to your left leg and complete 12-15 reps of each exercise. Complete a second set on each leg.
Modifications:
If any of these is too easy step farther away from the mount; do not let leg rest on ground in between reps; do not hold onto a wall, etc. for balance.
(For added difficulty on the Hip Flexor, you can swing arms forward and back as if running to challenge your balance.)
If any of these are too hard you can move closer to the mount for less tension; rest your foot on the floor between reps; hold on to something (chair back, table, wall) for balance.
Remember: Keep abs tight and upper body stationary. Avoid leaning back or to the sides during the movement. Raise/lower with control-- don't let the band's resistance snap your leg back down to the starting position.
BALANCE TIP!: For help with balance when completing any of these exercises, try holding on to your ears -I know, it sound weird, but I promise, it works!
If you love these exercises and want to see more, click the link below ...
So, leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite exercise is - could be cardio or strength training, with or without a band, yours just may be featured in an upcoming post ;)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ramblings of a sidetracked internet browser
OK, so that's nothing new, but I came across a site for this fabulous group called "Improv Everywhere", they make me smile .....
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ramblings of a sad friend
It has taken me a few days to write this, maybe a few days for the idea to even sink it. My friend, Helen Ehrenhofer, has decided to put her digital scrapbooking design business on hold for a while. I won't get into the reasons here, but you can read them on the goDigitalScrapbooking.com forum.
There is a bright side, everything in her store is on sale through the end of June, 57% off. Click here to shop in Helen's Store.
Please help to brighten her day just a bit and pick up a kit or two while they are still available.
There is a bright side, everything in her store is on sale through the end of June, 57% off. Click here to shop in Helen's Store.
Please help to brighten her day just a bit and pick up a kit or two while they are still available.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Ramblings of a scrapbooker
Like the new look? I created it with Tuscan Days by Helen Ehrenhofer, you can purchase it at goDigitalScrapbooking.com - just click on the Helen blinkie in my sidebar.
Here are a couple of layouts I made using the same kit ....
You can view it bigger and tell me what you think about it by visiting my layout gallery ...
http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57908&ppuser=1160
http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57893&ppuser=1160
Here are a couple of layouts I made using the same kit ....
You can view it bigger and tell me what you think about it by visiting my layout gallery ...
http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57908&ppuser=1160
http://www.godigitalscrapbooking.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57893&ppuser=1160
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Ramblings of a wife to a father
If you have a father or an office guy in your life, you're going to want to enter this one! Check it out at
Life Starring Ellie and Eve
Plus, you can get additional entries at
3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires
Mom Start
and Blessing Abound
Take a moment to enter, you may just win something ;)
Life Starring Ellie and Eve
Plus, you can get additional entries at
3 Garnets and 2 Sapphires
Mom Start
and Blessing Abound
Take a moment to enter, you may just win something ;)
Ramblings of a slacker
So, ya, I've been slacking - no posts in almost a year, anyone want to slap my wrist?
A little catch up - the kids are out of school for the year and officially passed on to the next grade -
Christopher is a second grader
Kaleb is a Sophmore and
Brianna is a Senior
Looks like I need to scout out a new place to take pictures for the kids, we've been to all the great spots we take family and senior portraits for our clients. I try to do a new place every year, and these will be Bri's senior portriats so a little extra special.
I've become a member of Helen Ehrenhofer's creative team, which means I get to create layouts and stuff with her newest kits before they even hit the store (gotta love it!!)
I made a fan blinkie for Helen, you can snag it here, and while your at it, click on it and visit her store
A little catch up - the kids are out of school for the year and officially passed on to the next grade -
Christopher is a second grader
Kaleb is a Sophmore and
Brianna is a Senior
Looks like I need to scout out a new place to take pictures for the kids, we've been to all the great spots we take family and senior portraits for our clients. I try to do a new place every year, and these will be Bri's senior portriats so a little extra special.
I've become a member of Helen Ehrenhofer's creative team, which means I get to create layouts and stuff with her newest kits before they even hit the store (gotta love it!!)
I made a fan blinkie for Helen, you can snag it here, and while your at it, click on it and visit her store
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Ramblings of a Game Playing Mom
I feel so blessed that our adult son and his family like to hang out at our house Sundays after church! We enjoy a big family meal and play games - usually phase10 or monopoly.
Now our daughter is back from Florida but hoping to move there permanently before long, and our son is being transfered by HP to Houston, where our oldest daughter and her 2 children live. I know we have to make the most of the time that we have with them because once they are gone, the chance of getting the whole family together will get even slimmer than it has been with just one living in a different state. Not only that, but our third daughter is going to be Junior this year and isn't even looking at any local colleges. And our second son is starting high school this year. We've got a way to go before we are empty nesters, since our third and youngest son is just starting 1st grade this year - but I am already feeling the saddness of family being too far away to visit regularly.
So, while most are still here, we have to make the most of game night. Oh, and the oldest and her two little (or not so little, anymore) ones are visiting for a week at the end of the month while hubby/daddy is being a camp councelor. I will miss seeing the son-in-law, since we only get to see them once every 2-3 years or longer, but am very excited to visit with the rest of the family.
With summer here, I would love to find games we can enjoy on the deck, especially on evenings that there is a breeze blowing. So, when "An Island Life" blog mentioned this great game that uses magnetic hematite as the playing pieces, Jishaku, I knew I needed to get it. Hope it doesn't take too long to get here ;).
Check out her review of the game on her blog An Island Life and you will have a chance to win one of your own.
Want to know more about the game? Visit the Jishaku site.
Happy playing, whatever you choose to play!!
Now our daughter is back from Florida but hoping to move there permanently before long, and our son is being transfered by HP to Houston, where our oldest daughter and her 2 children live. I know we have to make the most of the time that we have with them because once they are gone, the chance of getting the whole family together will get even slimmer than it has been with just one living in a different state. Not only that, but our third daughter is going to be Junior this year and isn't even looking at any local colleges. And our second son is starting high school this year. We've got a way to go before we are empty nesters, since our third and youngest son is just starting 1st grade this year - but I am already feeling the saddness of family being too far away to visit regularly.
So, while most are still here, we have to make the most of game night. Oh, and the oldest and her two little (or not so little, anymore) ones are visiting for a week at the end of the month while hubby/daddy is being a camp councelor. I will miss seeing the son-in-law, since we only get to see them once every 2-3 years or longer, but am very excited to visit with the rest of the family.
With summer here, I would love to find games we can enjoy on the deck, especially on evenings that there is a breeze blowing. So, when "An Island Life" blog mentioned this great game that uses magnetic hematite as the playing pieces, Jishaku, I knew I needed to get it. Hope it doesn't take too long to get here ;).
Check out her review of the game on her blog An Island Life and you will have a chance to win one of your own.
Want to know more about the game? Visit the Jishaku site.
Happy playing, whatever you choose to play!!
Ramblings of a Rocker
I love most kinds of music and will happily go to just about any live concert (though I do draw the line at heavy metal and hard core rap), but I'm definitely a rocker at heart. So when a friend mentioned that Journey was coming to Fiddlers Green in Denver with Heart and Cheap Trick opening - I was SO in!
Just one thing we were curious about, being children on the 80's - with Steve Perry not singing for Journey anymore, who was? Then I saw an interview with Journey on Good Morning America - they said that they were watching videos on youtube of band covering their songs and discovered Arnel Pineda from the Philippines - and when they played clips of him singing, I was completely amazed! All you have to do is close your eyes - he sounds so much like Steve Perry! I bought their latest album "Revelation" - a two disc album with a bonus DVD. Disc one was all new songs (I noticed that more than half the audience just sat down when they played the new songs because they were unfamiliar) and disc 2 was a 'greatest hits' of sorts, but re-recorded with Arnel on vocals. The DVD is a concert, which I still haven't watched.
Anyway, the concert was last Wednesday, the first stop on their American tour. Heart sounds as amazing as they always have. Journey was equally amazing - though it would be good if the lead singer would remember what band he is singing for, LOL! (He stumbled a bit over "Journey") Cheap Trick has only ever had a couple of songs that I liked, but they banged those out as good as ever. I am always amazed at the range of people who attend concerts. I saw children as young as 4 (which, IMHO, is ridiculous - way too young for a concert, I am hesitant to take my 15 year old son and 16 year old daughter to concerts) and rockers in their 60's!
I was hoping this video that someone posted to youtube would work, but I can't get it to embed, so here's the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LICMjJAeFw
Just one thing we were curious about, being children on the 80's - with Steve Perry not singing for Journey anymore, who was? Then I saw an interview with Journey on Good Morning America - they said that they were watching videos on youtube of band covering their songs and discovered Arnel Pineda from the Philippines - and when they played clips of him singing, I was completely amazed! All you have to do is close your eyes - he sounds so much like Steve Perry! I bought their latest album "Revelation" - a two disc album with a bonus DVD. Disc one was all new songs (I noticed that more than half the audience just sat down when they played the new songs because they were unfamiliar) and disc 2 was a 'greatest hits' of sorts, but re-recorded with Arnel on vocals. The DVD is a concert, which I still haven't watched.
Anyway, the concert was last Wednesday, the first stop on their American tour. Heart sounds as amazing as they always have. Journey was equally amazing - though it would be good if the lead singer would remember what band he is singing for, LOL! (He stumbled a bit over "Journey") Cheap Trick has only ever had a couple of songs that I liked, but they banged those out as good as ever. I am always amazed at the range of people who attend concerts. I saw children as young as 4 (which, IMHO, is ridiculous - way too young for a concert, I am hesitant to take my 15 year old son and 16 year old daughter to concerts) and rockers in their 60's!
I was hoping this video that someone posted to youtube would work, but I can't get it to embed, so here's the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LICMjJAeFw
Monday, June 30, 2008
Ramblings of a Road Trip Mama
Our family has always chosen the comfort of road trips over flying for our vacations. When the children were younger, we didn't have to worry about how noisy they were, if they were bugging the other's on the plane, we have the travel trailer so we can rest assured that nobody has left anything gross in the hotel bed, we can stop at multiple places along the trip and really see some of the great nuances of our country. Oh, and our SUV has a dvd player, so the kids can watch movies or plug in the playstation to stay busy while my hubby and I get hours of wonderful conversation time.
This year the gas prices are going to really cause vacation cut backs, not just for us, but for just about everyone. We are excited to see some of the wonderful spots around Colorado that we've missed in our 18 years here, though. And, I'm researching ways to help us save money and gas on our short stateside trips.
I found a link to some gas saving tips (along with some other helpful info and checklists for road trips) from prestone
Click here to view the gas saving tips
An Island Life is hosting a series of summer giveaways, and you can enter to win a road trip prize pack
Click here to read An Island Life and enter the giveaway
Good luck and Happy Road Tripping!
This year the gas prices are going to really cause vacation cut backs, not just for us, but for just about everyone. We are excited to see some of the wonderful spots around Colorado that we've missed in our 18 years here, though. And, I'm researching ways to help us save money and gas on our short stateside trips.
I found a link to some gas saving tips (along with some other helpful info and checklists for road trips) from prestone
Click here to view the gas saving tips
An Island Life is hosting a series of summer giveaways, and you can enter to win a road trip prize pack
Click here to read An Island Life and enter the giveaway
Good luck and Happy Road Tripping!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Ramblings of a jewelry making fool!
So, I started this fabulous new business earlier this year .... Gems to Jewels!! It combines my love of crafting with my love of beautiful jewelry.
I have been making handmade jewelry since 2005, and shortly after starting I had several people ask if I could teach them. Well, I did several little classes for friends and fellow mom's clubbers, but really wanted to turn it into a viable business. I began searching for a good vendor or two where I could get everything that I wanted I began to feel like the industry falls hugely short. I don't want a huge beading store, and it seemed like I would need to purchase large minimum orders from several manufacturers in order to have the variety that I need.
Well, I thought, maybe a direct sales company so I can benefit from their larger purchasing power and advertising. Off on that search I went - I found about 5 companies that offer in-home jewelry making parties/classes/workshops, and contacted each. Within just a few hours Gems to Jewels had called me back (BTW - this was in January and I'm still waiting to hear from all but one of the others)
I did my research on the internet, since the other companies really weren't interested enough in having any more consultants to send information, and found that one of the 5 is really a boutique type business that offers a few of their products in kits that you can put it together yourself. The other 3 are pre-made make 'n take type.
Gems to Jewels really stands out - they offer real gemstones and sterling silver components, all sold by the component. This means that you can attend a workshop and create a meaningful piece or set that reflects your personality using gemstones that are special to you, at a price that suits your budget. You can design and complete or the consultant can finish for you. And in the end, you get a one of a kind piece that is heirloom quality!
Anyway, I obviously chose Gems To Jewels, and am loving it!!
I have been making handmade jewelry since 2005, and shortly after starting I had several people ask if I could teach them. Well, I did several little classes for friends and fellow mom's clubbers, but really wanted to turn it into a viable business. I began searching for a good vendor or two where I could get everything that I wanted I began to feel like the industry falls hugely short. I don't want a huge beading store, and it seemed like I would need to purchase large minimum orders from several manufacturers in order to have the variety that I need.
Well, I thought, maybe a direct sales company so I can benefit from their larger purchasing power and advertising. Off on that search I went - I found about 5 companies that offer in-home jewelry making parties/classes/workshops, and contacted each. Within just a few hours Gems to Jewels had called me back (BTW - this was in January and I'm still waiting to hear from all but one of the others)
I did my research on the internet, since the other companies really weren't interested enough in having any more consultants to send information, and found that one of the 5 is really a boutique type business that offers a few of their products in kits that you can put it together yourself. The other 3 are pre-made make 'n take type.
Gems to Jewels really stands out - they offer real gemstones and sterling silver components, all sold by the component. This means that you can attend a workshop and create a meaningful piece or set that reflects your personality using gemstones that are special to you, at a price that suits your budget. You can design and complete or the consultant can finish for you. And in the end, you get a one of a kind piece that is heirloom quality!
Anyway, I obviously chose Gems To Jewels, and am loving it!!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Ramblings of a wife who knows men can be idiots
Well, It's been an eventful week and a half since my last post. Sunday after my last post the family all headed off to church. We arrived, got Chris off to sunday school and gathered in the espresso cafe to enjoy lattes and donuts. We enjoyed the service and headed back home, with Bri driving and Louis playing the roll of the responsible license holder. We got out of the parking lot and headed home, and Louis started coughing and sneezing. By the time we got home, his eyes were starting to swell. Of course, you know, he is a man, so here's how the conversation went.
Me, "Get back in the car, I have to take you to the ER."
Him, "No, I'll just wash my eyes and wait it out."
Me, "Are you out of your stinkin' mind - get your butt in the car!"
By the time we got to the ER (which, BTW, is in our neighborhood and takes about 2 minutes to get to from our house) his eyes were swollen shut and he was having a hard time breathing. I pulled up to the front door and sent him in while I parked. I run into the building and they already have him in back processing him - there are people in the waiting room bleeding, but for this severe allergic reaction, he came first. At this point he can no longer see, is struggling to breath, and can hardly talk. They shot him up with epinephrine, plus benadryl into an IV they've stuck in his arm, and admitted him to the hospital. When they get him settled in his room he's looking a bit like Mr. Magoo and I tell him how much better he looks (he can now actually open his eyes and see) and he looks in the mirror and finally realizes how serioius this all was - "this is better!?"
Anyway, they release him the next afternoon (Memorial Day monday) after keeping him overnight for observation and give him instructions to follow up with his primary care physician. Friday I'm looking in the calendar while he's off playing golf and don't see that follow up appointment, so I make one for him, and stronglly reprimand him when he gets home.
Oh, and by the way, they don't know what caused the reaction.
The 25th was our granddaughter Laila's 5th birthday, and we had planned a trip to chuck e cheese with her, her 3 year old brother, her 21 month old brother, our son's 4 year old daughter and 18 month old daughter, and our 6 year old Chris. Of course, that was overruled by the trip to the ER, so they all celebrated at home while Louis and I were at the hospital.
What else has kept us busy? Let's see ....
~ our daughter and her 3 kiddo's arrived back from Florida/Texas and have been staying with us
~ school is out so our three minor children are home most of the time
~ I worked for D11 through the school year, so now there are numerous studio and jewelry related tasks that I need to catch up on
~ summer is almost here and there are so many yard/houshold chores that need to be done so that we can enjoy the season
Me, "Get back in the car, I have to take you to the ER."
Him, "No, I'll just wash my eyes and wait it out."
Me, "Are you out of your stinkin' mind - get your butt in the car!"
By the time we got to the ER (which, BTW, is in our neighborhood and takes about 2 minutes to get to from our house) his eyes were swollen shut and he was having a hard time breathing. I pulled up to the front door and sent him in while I parked. I run into the building and they already have him in back processing him - there are people in the waiting room bleeding, but for this severe allergic reaction, he came first. At this point he can no longer see, is struggling to breath, and can hardly talk. They shot him up with epinephrine, plus benadryl into an IV they've stuck in his arm, and admitted him to the hospital. When they get him settled in his room he's looking a bit like Mr. Magoo and I tell him how much better he looks (he can now actually open his eyes and see) and he looks in the mirror and finally realizes how serioius this all was - "this is better!?"
Anyway, they release him the next afternoon (Memorial Day monday) after keeping him overnight for observation and give him instructions to follow up with his primary care physician. Friday I'm looking in the calendar while he's off playing golf and don't see that follow up appointment, so I make one for him, and stronglly reprimand him when he gets home.
Oh, and by the way, they don't know what caused the reaction.
The 25th was our granddaughter Laila's 5th birthday, and we had planned a trip to chuck e cheese with her, her 3 year old brother, her 21 month old brother, our son's 4 year old daughter and 18 month old daughter, and our 6 year old Chris. Of course, that was overruled by the trip to the ER, so they all celebrated at home while Louis and I were at the hospital.
What else has kept us busy? Let's see ....
~ our daughter and her 3 kiddo's arrived back from Florida/Texas and have been staying with us
~ school is out so our three minor children are home most of the time
~ I worked for D11 through the school year, so now there are numerous studio and jewelry related tasks that I need to catch up on
~ summer is almost here and there are so many yard/houshold chores that need to be done so that we can enjoy the season
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Ramblings of a wife shopping for Father's Day
If you are anything like me (or, rather, your hubby is anything like mine) it's incredibly hard to shop for Father's day (or his birthday, or Christmas). My hubby tends to get the things he needs as he needs them and isn't typically interested in 'fluff' (ie. stuff that he doesn't need). In my search for the perfect gift, I came across Amanda & Kristin's Father's Day Gift Guide ....
check it out!!
check it out!!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Ramblings of a mom who's kids know their parts
OK, so my hubby had CNN headline news on this morning and a report they did caught my ears. It appears that the long standing play, "The Vagina Monologues" has changed it's name to the "The HooHaw Monologues". This happened because a woman called and complained after passing a billboard advertising the play with her niece in the car and the little girl asked the woman what a vagina was, so Aunty Dear was embarrassed. She should be, but Mom should be mortified that her daughter would even have to ask.
Now, I've never watched or had the urge to watch the monologues, and I neither defend or oppose the play, I just think that not educating our children is a big problem in our society (but that's a blog for another day)
It didn't say how old the girl was, but it is my opinion that if she is old enough to read, she is old enough to know what a vagina is. I mean, SERIOUSLY, pet names for body parts are not cute or funny and when kids find out the real name it just becomes a problem that they didn't know all along.
I have heard teachers and moms tell stories of when a child finally learns the real name for these body parts and the kid thinks it is the funniest thing ever - causing them to go around spewing the new "bad word" in every imaginable (and, I'm sure, quite embarrassing) situation. And, of course, at school where another 1/2 of their classmates (probably more) are learning the word for the first time.
Had these children's parents (specifically mothers, since we all know how 'involved' most dads are in child rearing, LOL, again, a blog for another day) used those word with their children all along, it would be a non-issue. Words that are a part of a child's vocabulary (excluding curse words) won't get used in the inappropriate ways or places.
From infancy, my children started learning body parts - in the baby bath tub, I would tell them that I was washing their knees or drying their shoulders .
Anyway, what do you think, when is it appropriate to tell your kids that they have a vagina instead of a hoohaw?
Now, I've never watched or had the urge to watch the monologues, and I neither defend or oppose the play, I just think that not educating our children is a big problem in our society (but that's a blog for another day)
It didn't say how old the girl was, but it is my opinion that if she is old enough to read, she is old enough to know what a vagina is. I mean, SERIOUSLY, pet names for body parts are not cute or funny and when kids find out the real name it just becomes a problem that they didn't know all along.
I have heard teachers and moms tell stories of when a child finally learns the real name for these body parts and the kid thinks it is the funniest thing ever - causing them to go around spewing the new "bad word" in every imaginable (and, I'm sure, quite embarrassing) situation. And, of course, at school where another 1/2 of their classmates (probably more) are learning the word for the first time.
Had these children's parents (specifically mothers, since we all know how 'involved' most dads are in child rearing, LOL, again, a blog for another day) used those word with their children all along, it would be a non-issue. Words that are a part of a child's vocabulary (excluding curse words) won't get used in the inappropriate ways or places.
From infancy, my children started learning body parts - in the baby bath tub, I would tell them that I was washing their knees or drying their shoulders .
Anyway, what do you think, when is it appropriate to tell your kids that they have a vagina instead of a hoohaw?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Ramblings of an ex? Alaskan
So my hubby and I moved AWAY from Alaska in September 1990, shortly after our wedding and just before the winter weather set in. While it wasn't the *only* reason we left, we were happy to get away from the cold weather, the snow, the lack of transitional season (ie: spring & autumn.)
We moved to Colorado and were pleasently surprised by the weather here. Our first autumn (yes, a real autumn!!) when I took our then 1st grade daughter (that would be Yennae) trick or treating and the wind breakers I took for us got carried the whole way (this after a childhood (mine) of getting costumes 2 sizes too big so they would fit over snowsuits). Fall got over and winter set in, and the weather was still so mild that most of the time we were just in light jackets or sweaters. I'm not sure if we had any snow that year for Christmas, but it obvioiusly it wasn't a big deal if I can't remember.
The 15 winters between have been equally mild. We typically get a few snowstorms a year and as soon as the front passes the snow starts melting, and within a few days the snow is gone. Once every several years, we may get a blizzard which dumps a bunch of snow on us and after that it can take a couple of weeks for the weather to warm up enough to melt the snow entirely, but not really often enough to complain about.
This year has been a drastic change! The week before Christmas we got a blizzard (this was after an early blizzard less than a week before Halloween), now here it is, 5 weeks later and my kiddo's had a late start yesterday as the roads recovered from the 5th snowstorm in as many weeks. And, the weathermen have predicted another one this weekend.
You might think I said ex? Alaskan because I feel like I'm home lately, and you would be partially correct, but there is another reason. In the past week or so my husband and I have been batting around the idea of going back, and I don't mean just for a visit. Many have heard me say, "Alaska is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." Now I am rethinking that philosophy.
Pros
* Alaska is so majestic and beautiful
* it still has so many unspoiled wilderness areas
* there is the permanent fund dividend (an annuity paid to Alaskan residents that varies from $500 to over $1000 per person each year)
* my children have never had the opportunity to live near family like that - I so miss the big family gatherings I grew up with
* summer nights are so fun when the sun only goes down for a few hours (or is that the teenage me talking?)
* it would mean a fresh start
* no sales tax
* Aurora Borialis
* (for my hubby) ice fishing
Cons
* Colorado is majestic and beautiful as well
* our adult children live here in the states and a move to Alaska would mean we couldn't visit them and our grandchildren very often
* The weather here is not usually this bad
* we love to take road trips, which in Alaska would be just within the state
* there are certain people still in Alaska that we intentionally moved away from
* while those late summer nights are fun ...
* they aren't as warm as the ones here
* they get annoying when you can't get enough sleep
* they come with winter nights that are much longer - with the sun rising after you have arrived at work or school and ofter setting before you get back home
* even though there isn't sales tax, the prices are slightly higher there, which kind of counteract each other
* earth quakes
* (for my hubby) shorter golf season
So, it would seem there are more in my cons list, but are the pro's weightier? Who knows? This is just an idea that we are batting around and don't intend to leave here for at least 2 or 3 years. I guess we will continue to discuss this for the next couple year and make a final decision based on how our business is doing by then and what kind of winters we have here between now and then (we will also be watching the weather in Alaska and making our comparison)
We moved to Colorado and were pleasently surprised by the weather here. Our first autumn (yes, a real autumn!!) when I took our then 1st grade daughter (that would be Yennae) trick or treating and the wind breakers I took for us got carried the whole way (this after a childhood (mine) of getting costumes 2 sizes too big so they would fit over snowsuits). Fall got over and winter set in, and the weather was still so mild that most of the time we were just in light jackets or sweaters. I'm not sure if we had any snow that year for Christmas, but it obvioiusly it wasn't a big deal if I can't remember.
The 15 winters between have been equally mild. We typically get a few snowstorms a year and as soon as the front passes the snow starts melting, and within a few days the snow is gone. Once every several years, we may get a blizzard which dumps a bunch of snow on us and after that it can take a couple of weeks for the weather to warm up enough to melt the snow entirely, but not really often enough to complain about.
This year has been a drastic change! The week before Christmas we got a blizzard (this was after an early blizzard less than a week before Halloween), now here it is, 5 weeks later and my kiddo's had a late start yesterday as the roads recovered from the 5th snowstorm in as many weeks. And, the weathermen have predicted another one this weekend.
You might think I said ex? Alaskan because I feel like I'm home lately, and you would be partially correct, but there is another reason. In the past week or so my husband and I have been batting around the idea of going back, and I don't mean just for a visit. Many have heard me say, "Alaska is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there." Now I am rethinking that philosophy.
Pros
* Alaska is so majestic and beautiful
* it still has so many unspoiled wilderness areas
* there is the permanent fund dividend (an annuity paid to Alaskan residents that varies from $500 to over $1000 per person each year)
* my children have never had the opportunity to live near family like that - I so miss the big family gatherings I grew up with
* summer nights are so fun when the sun only goes down for a few hours (or is that the teenage me talking?)
* it would mean a fresh start
* no sales tax
* Aurora Borialis
* (for my hubby) ice fishing
Cons
* Colorado is majestic and beautiful as well
* our adult children live here in the states and a move to Alaska would mean we couldn't visit them and our grandchildren very often
* The weather here is not usually this bad
* we love to take road trips, which in Alaska would be just within the state
* there are certain people still in Alaska that we intentionally moved away from
* while those late summer nights are fun ...
* they aren't as warm as the ones here
* they get annoying when you can't get enough sleep
* they come with winter nights that are much longer - with the sun rising after you have arrived at work or school and ofter setting before you get back home
* even though there isn't sales tax, the prices are slightly higher there, which kind of counteract each other
* earth quakes
* (for my hubby) shorter golf season
So, it would seem there are more in my cons list, but are the pro's weightier? Who knows? This is just an idea that we are batting around and don't intend to leave here for at least 2 or 3 years. I guess we will continue to discuss this for the next couple year and make a final decision based on how our business is doing by then and what kind of winters we have here between now and then (we will also be watching the weather in Alaska and making our comparison)
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Ramblings of a non-"Turista"
I almost forgot to update .....
We did go back, tried to get there toward the end of the movie so we could watch the part we missed without having to watch the entire movie. Well, that *almost* worked, LOL, we missed a few minutes in between the majority of the movie we saw on the "pop bottle bomb" day and the end. Oh well, now I will have to wait for it to be shown on HBO.
Ayway, we had decided that it was senseless to go to he movies for the last 20 minutes of something then leave, so we decided to watch 'Turistas'. I just have to say that I wish I had logged on to Yahoo Movies before I chose that movie. It was definately graphic, but intensely DULL! I swear I felt every minute that I sat in that theatre, LOL. The Yahoo Movies ratings showed it at a C- from both the critics and the general public - I think I would rate it at a D, though.
We did go back, tried to get there toward the end of the movie so we could watch the part we missed without having to watch the entire movie. Well, that *almost* worked, LOL, we missed a few minutes in between the majority of the movie we saw on the "pop bottle bomb" day and the end. Oh well, now I will have to wait for it to be shown on HBO.
Ayway, we had decided that it was senseless to go to he movies for the last 20 minutes of something then leave, so we decided to watch 'Turistas'. I just have to say that I wish I had logged on to Yahoo Movies before I chose that movie. It was definately graphic, but intensely DULL! I swear I felt every minute that I sat in that theatre, LOL. The Yahoo Movies ratings showed it at a C- from both the critics and the general public - I think I would rate it at a D, though.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Ramblings of a bummed out movie go-er and a worrying mom
This is not a review and I will not be giving away anything that happened in the movie.
I went to the movies - Stranger Than Fiction with Will Ferrell. I was sitting there enjoying the movie and all was well, until about an hour and 45 minutes into the movie when the theatre lights suddenly came on and a theatre employee runs in and informs us that there has been 'an issue in the theatre' and we should all meet in the lobby.
While we were all crammed into the lobby, I could see fire trucks outside the theatre and then I saw firemen going into a side exit. The managers gave us all rain checks and had us leave. So I headed home and got there just before the news. About half way through the news they started reporting on the breaking news. Turns out someone set off a sort of a bomb in the theatre - something about dry ice in a bottle. No injuries, but there was some damage, and the police don't know who was involved.
So, here I am wondering what happened to Harold Crick. (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T tell me!!!)
Anyway, back to being crammed into the lobby - I noticed some teens in there calling there rides to get home. These kids had t-shirts and no jackets and a cold front had come through earlier in the day so it was pretty cold and starting to snow. Plus, it took me about 2-3 times longer than usual to drive home because the roads were slick. So, I'm sitting there wondering (worrying) about these poor kids - what if there had been imminent danger (a bigger bomb, someone with a gun, a fire) and the evacuation was not to the lobby but directly outside? I got to thinking, what if my daughter had been there alone and had to wait for me to get there to pick her up?
I know that I'm a worrier, it bugs my kids and hubby when I get to thinking about things like this, but I just can't help it.
Well, let me know your thoughts on this .....
I went to the movies - Stranger Than Fiction with Will Ferrell. I was sitting there enjoying the movie and all was well, until about an hour and 45 minutes into the movie when the theatre lights suddenly came on and a theatre employee runs in and informs us that there has been 'an issue in the theatre' and we should all meet in the lobby.
While we were all crammed into the lobby, I could see fire trucks outside the theatre and then I saw firemen going into a side exit. The managers gave us all rain checks and had us leave. So I headed home and got there just before the news. About half way through the news they started reporting on the breaking news. Turns out someone set off a sort of a bomb in the theatre - something about dry ice in a bottle. No injuries, but there was some damage, and the police don't know who was involved.
So, here I am wondering what happened to Harold Crick. (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T tell me!!!)
Anyway, back to being crammed into the lobby - I noticed some teens in there calling there rides to get home. These kids had t-shirts and no jackets and a cold front had come through earlier in the day so it was pretty cold and starting to snow. Plus, it took me about 2-3 times longer than usual to drive home because the roads were slick. So, I'm sitting there wondering (worrying) about these poor kids - what if there had been imminent danger (a bigger bomb, someone with a gun, a fire) and the evacuation was not to the lobby but directly outside? I got to thinking, what if my daughter had been there alone and had to wait for me to get there to pick her up?
I know that I'm a worrier, it bugs my kids and hubby when I get to thinking about things like this, but I just can't help it.
Well, let me know your thoughts on this .....
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