Something tells me, I've seen this before.

For the past few years, I have saved my own Christmas cards and collected them from anyone else who wanted to give me theirs after Christmas was over. "Why?" you ask? Well, I had this idea of taking the Christmas greetings and refurbishing them into NEW Christmas greetings!

At first I had decided to send the recycled Christmas cards back to the same people they originally came from the previous year. However, once I cut them down into usable 'parts', the signed portion has been disconnected and disregarded. Makes it virtually impossible to keep track of which ones came from where. Now, I'm not talking about recycled Christmas cards as in, made from recycled materials of various other kinds. I am talking about a more hands on and organic recycling, a transformation. Cutting the front off and putting it onto a back color and mounting it onto a new card altogether!

Only trouble is, it's an extremely time consuming process and I haven't yet been successful in completing enough of them to send them out. Normally I go out on Dec. 26th and buy boxed cards for cheap and put them back for the next year. But in an effort to ensure I would work on them enough throughout the year, I failed to buy any last year. Of course, I haven't had the time to work on them enough this year so...in other words, don't get your feelers hurt if you don't get a Christmas greeting from me this year. :( I'll try again next year so keep the cards coming and you may be surprised next year and think...something tells me, I've seen this before.

To go or not to go? That is the question.

Thanksgiving weekend offers up many options this year. My mom and I had planned a trip back down to Kimberling City for a weekend of R & R only as it turns out, there are several reasons building for both of us not to go. The list of Pros is being dwarfed by the growing list of Cons.

Perhaps if this were a warmer time of year, the decision would be made much more easily as swimming would be the factor swaying down the list of Cons. Without swimming on the agenda, there really isn't much to do there besides watch movies and eat and go into Branson and spend money. There isn't even internet in the condo, you have to walk over to the club house for wifi. So, with work schedules playing in, my mom just moving, Girl's night would be missed, no swimming, the cost of driving there & 'doing' anything fun to keep from being bored...I think I'll stop losing sleep, giving myself dark circles and just call the trip off. Perhaps next year once the pool is opened again it will make all the difference but for now, we might just have to pass.

What's new in death?

I just read this article about a man who decided to be buried without being embalmed or stuffed into a coffin and/or vault. There's a new and much 'greener' way to be laid to rest these days and I gotta say, I'm liking what I'm hearing about it!

No more shopping with your loved ones for coffins and vaults and all that business. I mean who cares what kind of satin & door hardware will house a body I will no longer be using? Just seems extremely meaningless if you ask me. Nope, not interested in all that. Of course there's much to consider but I'd be willing to hear more about this. Any thoughts on the subject?

Happy 10th Birthday!!!

I'd love to wish a very special niece a very special 10th birthday today!! Gone are the days of your sweet little voice asking me to play Barbies, gone are the days of rocking you in my arms and looking down at your sweet little face. >SIGH<

You have grown up so fast and there's no turning back! Soon you will be concerned with finding acne products that work instead of tea parties and kittens :-/ I love you very much and I want you to know I will always remember how cute you were and you will always be my little princess, I love you!!!

Controversial new line of maternity clothes

I recently heard a report on Bott Radio Network about a new line of clothes by Forever 21 "geared toward pregnant teens" called Love 21 Maternity. People are all up in arms saying that it promotes teen pregnancy. The models used to show the garments look young to me, like early 20's young, not teenagers. They have released the line in only 5 states and those 5 states happen to have the highest rate of teen pregnancy. Folks, that's just good marketing!

Saying a line of clothes promotes unhealthy lifestyle is like faulting Fashion Bug or The Avenue for having plus size clothes for us big ladies who overeat! Now, I am NOT promoting teen pregnancy in any way...however...these things do happen. I just see a different side. Frankly, isn't the line actually supporting those moms (teenage or early 20's) who choose to carry their babies to term? Amen to that! If more people thought to support rather than condemn...I'm just sayin'.

R.I.P. Aunt Vera

My father's sister Vera passed away yesterday. My heart goes out to my cousins for the loss of their mom. Also to my grandmother, this is the second child for her to bury in less than 4 months.

Makes you stop and think about things...like family and goals....even whole life insurance or term, whichever suits your needs. Today is my dad's birthday and I'm sure he's thinking about these things considering this is his second sibling to pass in less than 4 months. Hmm....spend time with those you love while you still can. That's all I have to say about that.

Cheating on my mind...

There are 2 people I know right now who are potentially cheating on their spouse or with someone who has a spouse. No wait, did I say *think*? I'm sorry, I totally meant, I pretty much know it's happening! They bring the person out into social situations and/or discuss their marital unhappiness publicly! UGH, I'm all discouraged and let down and disappointed and aggravated and on and on. I never thought they would be the kind of people who would do this. The saddest part is, they are not even trying to hide it really, as if nothing is the matter with it.

And now I'm drinking a Pepsi! See, it's spreading...I'm a loyal Coca Cola drinker! I want to run away and escape...perhaps I'll go in search of some good deals on Toronto hotels for the weekend.

Prayers for...everyone!

Hi all, I'm sure you've noticed by now that I haven't been blogging as much as I would normally like to. It's not like I've been distracted & out searching for the best eye cream for dark circles...but I could cause trust me, I got 'em right now!

No, since my last post about leaving on the road trip down to Branson, there has been alot going on in my world. Saturday night around 2:30 am, the otherwise dark Branson hotel room was illuminated by the light of my cell phone. On the other end was my cousin Lil' Tony who informed me that they airvacked my dad from the country to St. Louis University hospital with blood clots in his legs that had gone to his lungs and that he was doing very good at all.

So once I was home from Branson I spent every night that week at the hospital with him. They were trying to get his blood to a therapeutic level of 'thin' with the various meds so he could go home. He is home now as of last Friday, trying to adjust to new foods and taking new meds. So please keep him in your prayers, pulmonary emboli can be fatal. And I'm not so sure he is ready to meet his maker yet.

Friday also brought yet another trip to the ER for my friend Jen. She has been suffering with abdominal pains of various kinds and degrees for the past 2 years and they never seem to be able to figure out what's actually wrong with her. Needless to say they are extremely frustrated and disheartened. The ER sent her home with pain meds. Again.

Saturday, the pain was THE WORST and she went back to the ER begging them to help her. Ultimately, they sent her home with more pain meds. Again.

Sunday morning she collapsed at home and after arriving by ambulance to the hospital and running some tests, they discovered that things were all twisted up inside and dieing. Emergency surgery was a must and they hoped they would have enough in there that she could survive. That was a tough phone call to get, let me tell ya. I don't want to imagine the pain in her husband's heart and her family too. She came through that surgery ok and had another one on Monday to fix some more and seems to be recovering at a rate they are happy with. I will keep you updated a bit when I can.

Thursday my mom is going to have hernia surgery. Same hospital as Jen...how convenient, thanks guys! I'll keep you informed on her progress. When she gets out of the hospital she will stay with her friend Shirley again like she did the last time since we live on the second floor and I have to be at work during the day. Shirley has 2 steps into her house and is retired and can cook for her and everything! What a blessing to have wonderful helpful people in your life when things get tough. I need to take a lesson, I've been neglectful in that area and it's more than time for me to step up.

So please keep all these people in your prayers, I'll keep you updated as things go along.

Happy Birthday, Me!

Another year older.....another year full of things I wish I had done...things I wish I hadn't. I'm not going to talk about weight loss and diet pill reviews or anything like that. My life isn't all about my weight!

At this point all I can do is learn and move on. Turn the page on yesterday. Much too often I pick it back up and drag it around like a ball on a chain locked to my ankle. Some things happen that I can't control and some I can. So when I can't I will have faith that I will be ok through whatever plan the Lord has for me. Even if it hurts me in the moment.

Lots to look forward to!! Dinner with my momma tonight at Red Lobster, dinner with various ladies in my life at the Old Spaghetti Factory tomorrow night, Little House on the Prairie tickets with friends on Tuesday at the Fox Theater, Thanksgiving, trip to Branson with momma over the holiday weekend and then starts the busy and wonderful month of December with all of it's merriment! Holiday parties, caroling, hot chocolate, being with friends and loved ones... who could look forward to all that and not have a smile on your face?? Do yourself a favor, try to see the brightside of things, even if it hurts. ;-)

Home sweet home!

Traveling by yourself can be brutal. If for no other reason that there's no one to share the task of driving with in order to get a break. The good part was being able to stop whenever I wanted to, choose my own route and not stopping when I didn't want to LOL

I left my uncle's house around 6:45 am getting off to a later start than I had wanted by wasting a lot of time moseying around a gas station looking for suitable souvenirs or possible Christmas gift trinkets. I ended up changing my mind on everything! What a waste of drive time.

Later on I decided what I really wanted was a cactus plant so I stopped later and got one from a Home Depot. What better memento of Texas than a cacti and some hot sauce...minus the hot sauce LOL

I also took a big detour to an Ikea store not too far from Dallas and I'm SOOOO glad I did! The closest one to St. Louis is like 4 or more hours away and I was going to be about 22 miles from one so I decided to go. I heart Ikea!!!

So, I traveled for about 28 hours with all the stops along the way...and was actually there for about 36 hours including the time I was asleep. It was worth it though, good to see family after so long. Family shouldn't feel like strangers!!

So now it's back to work for me, lots to do to get caught up. No time for live chat software or playing on Facebook! I won't be doing that much until I get home. :)

RIP Uncle Joe

Life goes by so fast these days. There never seems to be enough time or resources to prioritize things the way we wish we could. My Uncle Joe passed away on Thursday. For about 6 years I've been wanting to go down to Texas for a visit and have him take me fishing at Lake Fork! He said he would and even told my dad he was blessed to have a daughter who enjoyed fishing.

Uncle Joe has 3 daughters and I don't think they are very interested in it. I missed my opportunity forever to go fishing with Uncle Joe :(

So be praying for me as I will be driving (most likely alone) from St. Louis, MO to Italy, TX. It should take me about 12 hours or so, depending on how many times I need to stop. It'll be a fast weekend visit, no time to sit around and enjoy a bluray movie.

Don't let let so much time pass not doing things you really would like to do just because you are 'too busy'. Make the time before you are out of time. Rest in peace, Uncle Joe!!

Momma's coming home today!

No, she hasn't been gone shopping for industrial supplies, she's been in the hospital!

She had been up all night throwing up and having a terrible fever. By the next morning, you could see she wasn't feeling well at all. So we took her to the ER and sure enough she had a 103.1 degree fever!

After all the tests were ran and she had some various medications going in, she was beginning to feel better. As it turns out, she had cellulitis and we didn't even know it! There are a few other health issues going on including being diagnosed with diabetes. So be looking for lots of diabetic talk in upcoming posts as we begin a journey together to change our lives to be diabetic friendly. I am on a mission to learn as much as I can about the foods and eating plans of anyone and everyone diabetic! I want to create yummy recipes to prove that a diabetic diagnosis isn't 'the end of the world' like most people think. More later on that but for now, momma is coming home today and there is lots to do!

My momma really, really loves me.

This was waiting for me on my desk this morning. My momma really, really loves me!

I'm just glad I'm not in jail, again.

You've got to hear what happened today...

Picture this, I'm sitting in my office at work. It's around noon, I was looking at some papers on my desk and out falls my speeding ticket that I got back in November. Remember?

Here it comes..............are you ready, are you sitting down?.................I was supposed to be in court this morning at 8 am for the ticket!!! I forgot all about it.

Do you know what happens when you don't show up for court??? A warrant is issued for your arrest! OMG! I called the court phone number provided on the ticket. The lady told me
I would have to come down before the close of today's business and pay everything plus an extra $35 to cancel the warrant! If not, everything from today would be keyed in and the warrant would be issued! So I went to the ATM of MOM and got $160 and went straight there.

Once I was there, I found out that they would take $10 as cancellation fee for the warrant and hold $150 as bond that I would appear on a new court date. Wheewwww! So the court date she gave me? April 15th. I'm not kidding!!!! I was like, NOOOOO!!! After I explained that was the ONLY day I couldn't be in court on, she said, Well, when? I said any day before or any day
after, just not that 1 day. So she gave me May 5th.

*I MUST MAKE THIS APPEARANCE.*

I don't want to go back to jail, besides, this would actually be on my record! How do I get
myself into these pickles? I am a mess, truly a mess. I guess you never grow out of the need to have your parents bail ya out from time to time, literally! I was told to keep my receipt with me for atleast the first 24 hours, just in case.

Surprise of a bad kind

True story: When I was about 19 years old, I was working part time with odd hours. I came home one day during the middle of the day, while everyone else in the family was at work. When I put my key into the lock of the front door, the door pushed in a bit and I knew instantly that something was wrong. I stepped back and noticed dark foot prints on the door that hadn't been there before. I was afraid.

I knew my neighbor, Don, was a retired police officer and so I ran next door to his house. We called 911, then he grabbed his revolver and we went back to my house. I did have to unlock the front door but as soon as it was open, you knew there was trouble. Everything was ransacked or gone from it's place, I was crying and shaking. My 2 cats were inside but unharmed, to my relief. Don went from room to room making sure no one was still in the house.

When he came to the basement, the door had been broken into and was standing open. Apparently, whoever it was had tried kicking in the front door and was unable to get in that way, also making alot of noise trying. So they proceeded around to the back of the house and found an easier way in. My neighbor Don was convinced that they were most likely *still* in the house when I first arrived home and probably ran out when they heard me at the door! Perhaps if I would have gone ahead and turned that key, things could have turned out so much different.

This was the last straw. This was not the first time our home had been broken into, so my mother decided to get some home security from ADT. We have since had an active account with them and their services have come in handy many times. I firmly believe that if we would have had ADT at the time this event occurred, the alarm would have sounded when they kicked the front door almost completely open and the crime would have ended there.

If you haven't already considered ADT, take a moment to investigate the many security options and services they offer for the safety of your home and family. From your teenage daughter to your senior parents, they provide not only home protection but peace of mind, too. Can you really put a price on crime determent?

'If money were no object' shopping

Ah yes, holiday shopping is here again. I really dislike how commercialized and consumer oriented the holiday season has become. I feel like we have lost sight of traditions and the pure enjoyment of the magical season by stressing out about what to purchase for people that we can afford on our budgets. If it's true that "It's the thought that counts." Let me be the first one this year to pick out some gifts from my heart and not my wallet. If money were no object, I'd start off with this:

My nephew is crazy about some super heroes and Star Wars and he also loves fish! What could be better than his very own 1.8 gallon R2-D2 interactive aquarium that buzzes like R2, has a rotating head at voice commands, a motion sensitive light, secret feeding compartment, filter and has a real working periscope to enjoy the underwater inhabitants!? I'd definitely get him one.

For my mom, a house of her very own, in a safe place, that is all one level so she doesn't have to do stairs with her knees hurting her. For my friend, some fine corsets to celebrate her new body with her husband. For my boss, I'd get him a paid vacation to somewhere he can't take work with him. He needs a break, 21/7 year after year after year is about to kill him. That would not be good for me or my mom or him or his family either, I suppose. Anyway, I could go on and on. It's fun shopping when all you have to do is consider the person and not your budget! So, there are my thoughts, sorry I didn't wrap them this year but I hope you enjoy it anyway! Ok, back to reality now.

Happy birthday, me!

Today is my 35th birthday. For those of you who know me, it's like I aged 10 years overnight! ;-) I have a feeling I'll be 35 for a VERY long time so get used to it.

I've already received a few very nice cards from friends and family. I also received a gift in the mail on Monday from my friend A which I didn't open until today, of course! I opened it this morning and was very confused. The box was wrapped with beautiful purple yarn from Italy, a little memento from our trip last year. She's so thoughtful that way and I can use the yarn! Well, that wasn't the confusing part, it's what was in the box. There were all these parts and instructions but I couldn't tell just *what* it was supposed to be. After reading the assembly directions and looking over the diagrams...I discovered it's gonna rock! Her accompanying card said she uses hers every day, it gives her joy every morning. It's called the Shower Bow. (Bow like bow and arrow, not like take a bow for a good performance.)

So anyway, from their website, you can go from this:

To this!

Nice!!! This has been an issue in my shower too. Plus I shower after my mom and every bead of water left on the shower curtain turns in to tiny freezing pellets of agony just waiting to make contact with your warm naked flesh. One touch from a cold wet shower curtain sends chills throughout your entire body! This is gonna be....wait for it.....AWESOME!!!!!! Thanks A! I can't wait to get it installed and ready for use. I always wondered who could I get to come hold the curtain back off of me LOL I usually just push it with one hand while washing with the other.

When you begin to get older, the best thing to do for someone's birthday is feed them, I suppose. Today at lunch, the boss is covering lunch and will most likely bring in a cake to celebrate. That has been the tradition around here anyway. It's great but I'd rather have the cash over the calories LOL Then I'm going to visit some friends tonight, and she's making me a cake that the kids will help her decorate. Thursday mom and I were invited over to some other friends' house for dinner with them for the occasion. Saturday I'm going to lunch with my cousin for my birthday and on Sunday my dad is coming up from the country to take me to lunch for my bday. I'm gonna gain 10 lbs just celebrating my birthday! LOL No, it's fine. It's wonderful to be remembered and celebrated. Sometimes a girl just needs a little attention :) It's rare in my life and I appreciate it. Happy Birthday, me! The weather here in St. Louis is fantastic today!

Big weekend project

Well, it has been over a year since my mom moved in with me and I've always *intended* to make more room for her. Of course, when she first moved in, we didn't know how long or short her stay would be. Of course, I'm happy to have a loving mother who makes for quite a good companion and roommate. I, on the other hand, am grouchy. I'm surprised she WANTS to live with me LOL Right now, she sleeps on a twin bed in the corner of my craft room/2nd bedroom and all her stuff is piled up on top of itself.

So, I have a massive plan to move my craft room to the generous cubby part of my living room, moving my big desk that's now in the cubby, into the craft room and moving my desktop computer to her desk in the living room already set up on the other side of the room. So her desk would stay there but be used for my stuff, my big desk will be moved to her room for her stuff and my craft table and book case will be moved to the cubby area.

I will still need to keep some/most (to be determined) of my crafting supplies in the bedroom but I think this big plan will be great for many reasons. It will give her more room in the bedroom, it will give her a place in that room to do the crafty tasks and studying and writing she enjoys again, it will also bring out my craft stuff giving me more of a chance to actually do something with all of it! Plus, all the furniture will look good in the new positions. My craft table doesn't quite have the same style as the modern furniture in my living room, but it will work. Besides, who am I trying to impress? Wish me luck! Oh forget that, come over and help! LOL

It's here! The Color Purple the musical

Today is the opening day for The Color Purple the musical at the fabulous Fox theater here in St. Louis, Missouri. My mom and I have tickets for seats in the 7th row, center, on the floor. I've never had such great seats for any show at the Fox! We are going with 2 of my friends who have great seats in the mezzanine level, which is the best area of the balcony to be in.

It's going to be great and interesting too. One of my friends has not yet seen the movie The Color Purple so we will see how that affects her opinion of the musical. I think it will be good! Of course she will still need to see the movie...it's a classic and a must see.

Tonight when I get home, I have to get all dolled up. I hope I don't lose my shoes, they are big on me...but I couldn't try them on, I had to order them, so I'll let you know how that goes. The main thing tonight is to not forget the tickets! That shouldn't be a problem though, I already have them in the special purse I'll be taking along tonight. I'll post tomorrow and give a full review of the show. I'm so excited!!

After the show tonight, we have plans to go to Uncle Bill's pancake house for coffee and pancakes and to talk about our thoughts on the show. I really love Uncle Bill's. It's this tiny little place that has been open since before I was born, I think. It's open almost 24-7 and it's wildly popular and known for it's awesome coffee, good food and great pancakes! I think they should think about franchise opportunities and open up a new location! Actually, they did once and then closed it down after only a few short years. Hmmm, I'm not sure what happened there, but the location in the city is still up and running! If you are ever in the area, don't hesitate to call me up and I'll meet you there!

Jewelry sale time

Every year, there's a lady who hosts a jewelry sale at her house. It's open to anyone who knows of someone who knows of someone and so on. It's not like she puts out bright digital signage on her front porch, it's by word of mouth only. I know of her and the sale through my great aunt's friend. Her sister in law somehow acquires close out jewelry from department stores and once a year has a huge sale to clear it all out!

Well, that sale is today and tomorrow and I have been eagerly awaiting it! Every year there are new and exciting pieces to choose from. This year she had alot of necklaces and bracelets than in the past. There are also earring and necklace sets as well as individual earrings and slides and chains and pins and rings and so on and so forth! I picked out a few items for other people, some gifts and some items for myself. I was so excited I couldn't wait until after work to go, so I left work for a couple of hours to go shop the jewelry sale. My mom went earlier and when she came in the office, I just had to see what all she got. As it turns out, she got a couple of items for me because she thought I would like them (and I did) and she only saw the 1 like it! Yay, it's time for the jewelry sale!!!

Oh, didn't I mention? EVERYTHING IS JUST $2 A PIECE!!!!!!