Welcome Friends & Family!

Come on in!

I created this blog over a year ago. I never could understand why more people didn't visit it and interact with me on it. Then I realized - I had never emailed anyone with a link to it!! (Duh, Bec)

Acutally, I have been very inconsistant with my postings. I'm turning over a new leaf and am going to use this blog as a platform for keeping in touch with people and vice versa.

I will be making all sorts of posts, so bookmark it, visit often and feel free to sign up so you can post comments!

The Enterprising Kitchen

I have recently discovered this interesting group out of Chicago. Here is a little about them:

The Enterprising Kitchen (TEK), a nonprofit social enterprise, provides workforce development and support services to women who are working toward self-sufficiency and economic independence. Within the context of a business where we manufacture natural soaps and spa products, under the brand name Choices from The Enterprising Kitchen, women receive intensive workforce preparation and skills development including: paid employment, work and life skills training, individualized career planning, high school equivalency preparation, technology training, financial planning and a variety of other support services. Located in Chicago, our enterprise enables lower-income women who have been unemployed and underemployed to maximize their individual potential and move into sustainable employment after 6-12 months. The Enterprising Kitchen was founded in 1996 and in 2005 relocated to a larger, more efficient training and production facility located in Chicago's Ravenswood industrial corridor.

Go see what they have!

Friday's Feast #140

Appetizer
What is your favorite kind of bread?
I would have to say the baked variety.

Soup
When was the last time you bought a new pillow?
I bought two new pillows for my bed around last Christmas.

Salad
Approximately how many hours per week do you spend surfing the ‘net?
Hmmm, hard to say. I'll say, not as many as I'd like to, but more than I should!

Main Course
What’s the highest you remember your temperature being?
I dunno, 102 or 103? I used to have trouble with my tonsils alot, so I'm sure I've had some fevers to go with.

Dessert
Fill in the blanks: When I ____________, I _____________.
When I breathe, I live.

Almost over...

Tax season is just about finished!
That's good and bad. I work for an accounting and tax prep service. These days, I'm very, very tired, my house is severly neglected and I have no social life to speak of, but on the other hand, I'm funding a trip to England, Ireland & Italy in Sept.


Wooo hoo!

Kudos, my friend!

My friend over at Patrick Says was chosen as "Blog of the Day" for 4/10/07 on the Pay Per Post website.
Keep up the good work, bro.

Ah ha!

Well, I think I figured it out...
(back story) I live on a very strict budget. I know how much I have, what goes out and what is coming up. All my bills get paid, I've started myself on a snowballing payment plan to move towards a debt free life. I know my money. I'm the kind of person who is just waiting for the bill to come, so I can pay it.
Yesterday when I checked my balance, there was an outstanding amount that did not match my outstanding items. This made me have that uneasy and fussy feeling all day until I verified it & sure enough, one of my bills (for internet) cleared for double! So, after many phone calls and customer service reps (some even spoke English!) the problem is now being fixed. They did admit it was their mistake, 'course that doesn't make my money instantly reappear....
But, my fussy feeling is gone!

Fussy....

Today, I'm feelin' sorta fussy. It's like I'm carrying around a bad feeling I can't shake. Anyone else have days like this? I'm sure it will get better later.
On the other hand, I've made some much needed improvements to the look of my blog (if you haven't noticed). Maybe now I'll start using it!

Friday's Feast #138

Appetizer:
When you travel, which mode of transportation do you prefer?
I love to fly in airplanes!!! I consider it a privilege.

Soup:
Have you ever met a blogging friend in person?
Well, I have a friend, who has a blog. I'm sure that's not what you mean here LOL

Salad:
When was the last time you were really, really tired?
Um, yesterday. I work for a tax prep service, so this time of year is very tiring.

Main Course:
If you could have dinner with any one fictional character from a book or movie, who would it be?
Hmmm, well, I might pick Boss Hog (from the Dukes of Hazzard)...but mostly because I think the dinner would be well laid out with yummies.

Dessert:
Fill in the blank: One day, I hope to see _______________.
Italy. One day this September, to be exact!

What are numbers saying to you?

Ok, so I haven't posted in a while. Sue me.
My friend Patrick over at Patrick Says, had an interesting opinion about how certain numbers seem to have a gender specific feel. (See his blog entry "Manly Phone Numbers") Oddly enough, to some extent, I happen to agree. I have had these thoughts swimming around my head since I was a kid, I just thought I was crazy, so I never told anyone. But alas, I am not alone!
I would also like to add, that I see numbers as colors and also some have personality traits (usually noted strongest when handwritten, depending on penmenship, of course). Outside of Patrick's well expressed gender observations, here are some examples of how I see numbers:
Colors:
1-white
2-yellow
3-pink
4-red
5-black
6-brown
7-purple
8-orange
9-green
0-well, clear

As far as personality traits, for some reason, when I write the numbers 3 and 5, they always look mad or mean. The others escape me right now, but at this point, I'm sure you are thouroughly convinced I am crazy anyway.

How about you, any observations on this subject??

I'm still here....

I haven't posted in a while....and well, I just converted over to the new Google Blogger and would like to see what it's like now. I like it so far, we'll see!

Friday's Feast #124

Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve?
Hanging out with friends, eating yummy treats and trying to stay awake until midnight!

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.
I almost died under a log in Current River on a float trip.

Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?
Bates Creek Camp

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?
Pay down my debt

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006
Two, Zeros, Six
:)

Nevermind....

I figured it out.
Yessssssssssssssssss!

Hmmmm....

I changed templates...and lost my counter.
-Help-
Anybody? Anybody?

My first meme...Tag of Four

My friend "P" tagged me.

Tag of Four

Four jobs I've had:
Retail, healthcare, telemarketing, accounting

Four places I've lived:
Saint Louis, MO, Shrewsbury, MO, Does 10 days in Florida count?

Four favourite foods:
Cheese tortellini with chicken in a cream sauce, cake, steak, asparagus

Four movies I could watch over and over:
National Lampoon's Vacation-the 1st one, The Wizard of Oz, Along came Polly, 50 First Dates

Four TV shows I enjoy:
I could list 40, but I'll just give ya 4: The Office, Grey's Anatomy, the First 48 & Top Chef

Four places I've traveled:
Las Vegas, NV (road trip!), Baltimore, MD, Florida (and everywhere in between), Nassau/Paradise Island, Bahamas

Four places I'd like to visit:
England (while my friend Amy is still living there), Italy, Atlantis (again), Hawaii

Four websites I go to daily:
My email web site with Charter, my banking site to check the finances, GoldToken, BrainKing

Four people I tag to do this list:
Ok, none, since "P" was the only blogger I know!

Have a good day!

Friday's Feast # 122

I haven't posted in a while..so pour some sugar on this!

Feast One Hundred and Twenty Two

Appetizer:
What was your very first job with a paycheck?
Well, I have been babysitting since I was 11, but my first actual check with FICA and everything would have to be Burger King when I was 15.

Soup:
Did you ever lose something really important to you?
Yes, of course. Haven't we all?

Salad:
What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
I'd have to say, my big teddy bear 'Teddy.' It's a very cute story, actually. I had been out shopping with my mom prior to this, and saw this big brown fuzzy cuddly bear that I actually cried in the store over not getting. Mom says now, that she didn't get the bear at that time, because I had cried in the store, wich was against the rules, also not like me to do. She said the other reason she didn't buy it right then, was because she already had purchased it for me for a Christmas gift and had it waiting at home. She says atleast she knew I would like it!! I think now, the best part is the telling of the story behind it. I remember getting up on Christmas morning in the country at grandma's house (I always wondered how Santa knew we were @ grandma's house and not at home!) I remember turning the corner into the living room and seeing him sitting patienly waiting for me under the tree with a big green bow around him. I still have him, he's in my bedroom right now...his tag says 1978, I guess I was around 5 then. He certainly has made for a great companion over the years! He's still snuggly :)

Main Course:
Tell about a favorite "hang out" place for you and your friends when you were in high school.
Well, I didn't have a favorite hang out in high school. Most of my friends were pregnant at that time. Maybe they should have hung out more! LOL But if I have to pick a place, the mall is a good answer, too.

Dessert:
Name something that always brings a smile to your face.
Top 5 answers:
5. My cats playing & purring.
4. Memories of happy times with loved ones then and now.
3. The site of the ocean from the shore or the view from an airplane window on a clear day 38,000 feet up.
2. The smell or sounds of new clean babies.
1. Singing and rejoicing!

Every heard of Freecycle?

There's something great I'd like to share with you. It's called Freecycle. If you have never heard of it, I'll explain. Freecycle is a network of people connected online who post items they would like to get rid of. Items that may still be of good use. The idea is to keep such items out of landfills! There are local freecycle groups for most areas of the country. For more information or to read about joining a group in your area, please visit www.freecycle.org.
If you do join a local group, please heed some good advice on interacting on the board. Make sure you read all the rules regarding posting your items to get rid of. They are specific, but very easy to follow. If you see an offer that you are interested in getting, simply email that person in a courteous way, maybe including a short idea of a way you could put it to good use or passing it on to someone who could make use of it. Remember sometimes the items get a lot of responses, so don't get too disappointed if you don't get something you want. I always offer to re-freecycle any portion of something if I can't use all of the pieces or whatnot. If you are chosen as a recipient, make a pick up time that will fit both your schedule and the person giving the item, and most importantly show up when scheduled! You wouldn't want to get a bad reputation as a no-show-er. Also, if something does come up, email that person at your earliest convenience to let them know. I always like to follow up with a Thank You email. And that's pretty much it! I have given a few things away that I didn't need anymore, and I have gotten many many things that have really helped me out.
I can't even begin to remember them all, but here's a partial list of things I have received and/or given away:
-coat tree
-shelves (plastic, metal, and wooden decorative ones!)
-curtains
-TV tables (set of 4 with a stand to store them!)
-fish tank supplies
-audio tapes on learning to speak Italian
-clothes
-black wrought iron fireplace screen
-tables (a card table and a small kitchen table to use in my laundry room)
-clothes rack
-standing oscillating fan
-bed spread
-Tons and Tons of scrapbooking supplies
-work out videos
-vhs movies
-vcr
-powdered sugar
-floor pillows
-purses or tote bags
-craft supplies
-cat items
-computer parts
-printers
-wine bottles & corks
-baby clothes and items
-baby gates
-luggage
-Christmas items
The list goes on and on and on!
Good luck and happy freecycling!

Friday's Feast #117

Another installment...

Appetizer
Create a new candle scent.
Cherry delight!

Soup
Name one way you show affection to others.
Hugs and words of caring.

Salad
What is your favorite writing instrument?
Um, a pen.

Main Course
If you were given $25 to spend anywhere online, from which site would you buy?
eBay, you could pick anything you want!

Dessert
Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what are you going to be?
Yes, a nurse. No, not the sexy kind, just the regular kind.

Unwanted giftcards?

Have you ever received a gift card as a gift, for a store you would never shop in? Or better yet, purchased a gift card for someone else only to end up not giving it and it's not a store you'd perfer? Well, here is a cool website where you can trade those unwanted giftcards for ones you would like to use! You can buy trade or sell gift cards on this site. I've used it a couple of times now, and I think it's a great concept! Check it out!

Friday's Feast #116

Here's something new I'd like to try out. It's called "Friday's Feast....a buffet for your brain."
Bon' Appetite!

Appetizer
What is your favorite beverage?
Cold Coca-Cola

Soup
Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.
Um, my computer, adding machine and a cold Coca-Cola.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the highest), how honest do you think you are?
Well, it's fruitless to put anything less than a perfect 10, otherwise you might think I was lying!

Main Course
If you could change the name of any city in the world, what would you rename it and why?
Hmm, not sure on this one. Seems like a strange question I must ponder...

Dessert
What stresses you out? What calms you down?
So many things stress our lives...money, driving, responsibilities.
Praying calms me down, as well as singing praise and worship songs in my car!

Awwww

Sometimes people send the dumbest things in emails....and sometimes they are just precious!
I just wanted to share this pic with you!