Men? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Men!

What say you ladies? What? No date for Valentine's Day (insert blowing a raspberry here-I don't know how to spell that). I believe I can safely speak for most of us; we don't need men. We do need friends and have a fair amount of those, one or two of them probably are dateless for Valentine's Day as well. I actually have known women who get depressed if they don't have a date for Valentine's Day! Pishaw! Celebrate yourself and your friends rather than this overblown Hallmark bow to St. Valentine!
* Do not succumb to the Hallmark Valentine frenzy!
* Do invite your girlfriends to join you for an evening of friendship and laughs!
* Do stock up on good wine!
* Do have a delicious meal and a lavish dessert!
* Do treat yourself to a box of your very favorite chocolate candy!
* Do giggle a lot and revert to being twelve years old again!
You may have so much fun that this could become an annual event! I wonder if they have a Hallmark card for that? The UN-Valentine's Day! Actually this sounds like a great time...maybe I'll kick my husband out of the house and invite my girls over, hmmm.

Thanks & Hugs & Giveaways & Bright Copper Kettles & Warm Woolen Mittens...

I want to extend a big Thank You to a couple of blogsters out there. First is FishHawk for including me in his list of Sites To See. I very much appreciate the shout out. The next one is John for the EC credits. I was one of the runners up in a contest I didn't even know about! Happy second blogversary John! I'm sure you all know these blogs well but in case you don't, just click on the links and stop by soon.

I have an update on little baby Colton. First I want to say thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes, you know that makes all the difference. Colton has had a second surgery and came through with flying colors, he's a strong little boy. His weight is just over 5 lbs! Now he has to be tough and reach all of his benchmarks for a bit. I am going to visit him on Tuesday, can't wait to see him!

Hugs to blueviolet! Her road is a little bumpy right now and she could use a little support from her friends!

Don't forget about my giveaway. What is it, you ask? Well, we don't know yet. We know that it will be handmade by me, and we know the fabric that it will be made from and I guess we'll have to check in on Thursday to see what sort of shape it is taking on! There are some wonderful suggestions coming in from all of you. Yesterday we had.....wrap skirt, hawaiin shirt, sarong, summer bag, clothesline bag....whatever will it become?

This Beauty Screams Giveaway

I was digging through my fabric stash the other day looking for inspiration and I came across this gorgeous piece. It spoke to me, yes, it began as a soft whisper then reached a crescendo that I was unable to ignore!
We need to shake things up around here a little bit. This bloggy world has been a little lethargic lately. Have we all been afflicted by SAD? Is that it? Are we just sitting like lumps and waiting for spring to arrive? Christmas was only a few weeks ago, but seems like forever. For me, this is the draggiest part of the year. How about you?
Onward...This piece of fabric is lovely, the colors are just fabulous. It looks like a watercolor painting. What would you imagine this should become? What would you like to see made out of this? Leave a comment and let me know and this will give you one entry to win the giveaway which will end on February 28th. Next week we will have an opportunity for additional entries. Be creative and let me know what you would like to see.

Wordless Wednesday - Dressing Up!

Kids Say The Darndest Things!

A first grade girl handed in this drawing for a homework assignment. After it was graded and the child brought it home, she returned to school the next day with the following note for the teacher:

Dear Ms. Davis, 
I want to be very clear on my child's illustration. It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint. I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm. This drawing is of me selling a shovel. 
  
Mrs. Harrington

Some Facebook Help and A Little Respect

My sister, Lorrie, and I are new to Facebook. We were dragged into this big new world screaming. People got us registered and tossed us in the hole. Recently we were reprimanded by our youngest sister for having put a message or comment in the wrong place. Here is my attempt to get some guidance as well as the response from my daughter (The Bee). 


Email to sister and daughter:

Alright. Lorrie and I are floundering here. We are drowning in our lack of edgy, cool, facebook knowledge. We need someone to spend a little time, half hour maybe, and teach us the ropes. Apparently we committed a faux pas recently and left a message on the wrong spot, wall, or ceiling or some kind of thing. *Horrors*
I believe that between the two of us and the two of you, we are the ones who taught you, respectively, how to ride a bike, play canasta, apply makeup, use a tampon, and drive a car. A little help here please?

Daughter's response:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury I submit the following:

1. Aunt Sherri taught me how to drive a car
2. No one taught me how to use a tampon – in fact I still view it as a dangerous undertaking
3. No one taught me how to apply make-up – in fact I still view it as a dangerous undertaking
4. You may have taught me how to play canasta but I have mastered it on my own
5. Riding a bike is over-rated

Nevertheless, I will try my best to help you with Facebook

1. There are 3 ways to send people messages on facebook:
1. A private message which will show up in their “Inbox” – you do this by clicking on the “Send ‘their name’ a Message” under their profile picture on their home page
2. An instant message – you do this via the “Chat Box” on the bottom right of the screen. This box will show you all of your friends that are currently signed on and the process is (hopefully) self-explanatory from there.
3. Leaving a message on their “Wall.” This is basically a quick message you leave on their page for them (and all their friends and your friends and friends of friends to see)

I’m curious to know what you two did wrong. I didn’t notice anything. Did someone yell at you??

Sister's response:

LOL, Jenn ... loved your jury submissions, I have a few of my own

 

1.  I taught myself how to use a tampon - that was a forever process in the bathroom

2.  I taught myself how to put on make up - might explain some things :)

3.  Donna was the one I had a sex talk (because my mother told me to) with and her best advice was to have him use 2, 2 I say condomns at one time - any feeling in that one?

4.  Driving a car - hmmm, Donna may  have taken me a few place

 

However, I give credit where credit is due ... you all taught me how to swim and to ice skate!

Like Rodney...I get no respect!

Baby Colton

Three weeks ago little Colton was born to my nephew and his wife. Colton arrived a couple of months early and weighed in at just 3 lbs.! Colton is having some problems, as most preemies do and last week he was transferred to another, area hospital for surgery. They implanted a shunt (reservoir) in his head to collect spinal fluid and blood, which was pooling in his ventricles, and allow this to be absorbed into his body. From what I hear, this is not too uncommon with preemies, though heartbreaking that these little ones have to endure such things. 
Colton is doing his best to go home with Mom & Dad. Apparently he is a healthy eater because he is now up to 4 lbs. 10 oz.!! I had a message this morning that the Doctors are discussing another surgery for him but I have no details yet.
Colton needs all of the prayers and well wishes you can send his way! Please, think good thoughts for him and help to get him on his way home with his family.

Romantic Cruise

Wouldn't you love to be going on a cruise right now? Oh, me too, someplace warm and sunny. I need some sunshine and sand between my toes right now. My girlfriend went on an island cruise last year and she said it was the most relaxing, romantic getaway she has ever had. Well, of course, her man proposed to her on the first night on board! She came home with a great tan, a new straw bag and beautiful diamond on her finger!
As far as proposals go, this was a good one. Far better than proposing in a dark, crowded, very loud nightclub.... nevermind. Though it doesn't beat a proposal during a surprise picnic by the water with all of your favorite snack foods after being blindfolded during transport. Recently we had a congressman take his girl out for a boat ride and had a planned helicopter drop in by the state police during which he proposed. Pretty elaborate. Raised a ruckus with the constituents too. He ended up paying $$$ for the waste of the helicopter and the police. I bet she'll never forget it though!
Do you have a great proposal story? Oh come on and share, it's just us.

Wordless Wednesday

The Snow Tubing Group!

Do The Half Pipe?

Do you ski? Snowboard? A group of us took a short little ski holidays last weekend, just for a day. We went to Ski Roundtop in Pennsylvania. They have a bit of everything there for most anyone to enjoy. Let me tell you, our group tried it all, we had people snowboarding, some skiers and some tried the snow tubing hills.
I enjoy skiing, though Susie Chapstick I am not. I've never tried snowboarding, it seems like it would be awkward having both feet planted on the same board, I can't work out in my head how to do that. I'm just not that coordinated. It does look like a lot of fun though and I know that the kids in our group just live for it!
We have had so much cold weather lately and wouldn't you know, the day we planned to go skiing it was 41 degrees! The sunshine felt great but the snow was way too slow, it figures. Doesn't matter because we were all over those hills, laughing and having a blast.
Some of the best family vacations I can remember have been winter ski vacations. When I say family I mean all of my sisters, the husbands, the kids and maybe a few extra friends. We rent a large house at one of the resorts for a week or long weekend and pile in for a giant slumber party! It's been a few years since we have done this and I'm thinking it's time to put a trip together!
Come on back tomorrow and I may have a picture or two.

Valentine's Day - Got Chocolate?

Do you go Biggy, are you planning to Super-Size for Valentine's Day this year? If so, you might find yourself in need of a cash advance pretty soon. This is a big holiday for florists, restaurants and jewelry stores! I wonder just how many diamonds and gold sparklys are purchased for this one day of the year?
My hubs and I sometimes go a little extravagant but not normally. One year we went to stay at a spa type bed and breakfast. We had the works, sauna, full body massages, it was lovely. Our room had a fireplace, little kitchenette and there was a snow storm that weekend. It was perfect. The loveliest, most relaxing weekend ever. Another time we took a walk around the harbor downtown, did some people watching and window shopping then ended up grabbing a snack at a local 7-Eleven! Lol, that was also perfect.
This year I did really well, for christmas I gave my hubs tickets to a comedy show, Kathleen Madigan, and the show happens to be on February 13th. A twofer! The show is in Pennsylvania and we have to drive almost 2 hours to get there so we may decide to get a room that night. I guess we had best be making reservations now or we'll be sleeping in the car.

Hundreds Protest Global Warming!

Alice.Com Shoppers? Looking For Opinions

I've seen this around the blogosphere for a while now. I've noticed several blogs promoting the service and I am thinking it might be a valuable service for my mom to use. It would be a big help for her to have things delivered to her front door rather than hauling heavy items to and from the car.

Lately Mom has been leaving things in the car until my sister and I visit and then we carry all of it in the house for her. This is fine unless we can't make it up there in a timely fashion. Then come summer time, it may not be a good idea to have liquids exploding in the hot car if left for a week.

It all sounds good, register for free, all shipping is free, coupons automatically apply. I'm wondering if any of you have been using it for yourselves and what your experience has been. Are the prices reasonable? Is the shipping timely and reliable? I'm very curious so let me know please.

Wordless Wednesday

Grandmom's glasses!

2010 Census Cautions

2010 Census
Cautions from the Better Business
Bureau

The Better Business Bureau advises people to be
cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or
identity theft.The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as

workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the
country.

The big question is
- how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con
artist?

**
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a
handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality
notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before
answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone
you don't know into your home.

** Census workers
are currently only knocking on doors to verify address
information.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or
banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the
U.S. Census. This
is fraud!


REMEMBER, NO MATTER
WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE
AT YOUR ADDRESS..

While the Census Bureau
might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary
range,

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR
FINANCIAL SITUATION.

The Census Bureau will not ask for
Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees
solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT
with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU
HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No
Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the
Census Bureau.


Eventually, Census workers
may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However,
the Census Bureau will NOT contact you by Email, so be on the
lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click
on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the
U.S. Census Bureau.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH FAMILY
AND FRIENDS.

Ravens Beat The Patriots!

Woo Hoo! Let's hear it for the boys in PURPLE! Ravens dominated New England in the first round of the play-offs today. The score? 33-14 with the Ravens scoring 2 touchdowns in the first 5 minutes of the game. New England has not lost a game at home since Jimmy Carter was President....well, until today that is. Great day, great game, now onto Indianapolis!

LOST - The Final Season

Well this is a fine kettle of fish we're in! I know there are lots of LOST fans out there and, in the past 10 days, I have become one of them. My daughter made me watch the first season and now, I'm hooked on this crazy mess. So I am trying to catch up in time for the February 2nd, mega hour premiere of the final season and what do I hear? President Obama is due to deliver his State of the Union address that night! What, we need to hear how he is working hard to thrust expensive things on us that we don't want and can't pay for? STOP THE INSANITY! Fine, you and Nancy just go create new ways to take away our freedoms and more of the pennies that we are able to earn, tell us how to spend the few dollars we have left and make sure you develop more green initiatives to correct the non-existent Global Warming.

But Do.Not.Mess.With.Our.Final.Season.Of.LOST.

The line has been drawn in the sand. There is a start up group on Face Book, if you feel as strongly as I do, you may want to lend your support to (ready?) "Americans Against the State of the Union on the Same Night as Lost". A little lengthy, I had to take a nap in the middle of typing it.
And that's not the only problem! The network, in their sneaky little ways, has decided to put LOST on the Tuesday night lineup which will pit it against The NCIS family! Prior to my LOST fandom, Tuesday was the only night I scheduled to watch TV as I do LOVE some NCIS. Yeah, well, don't play with us folks. We have tivo, we have dvr's, we can all play that game!
Apparently life really is like a chess match! You always need to be one step ahead of those devils.

We Have A Winner!

And the winner of the signed copy of What I know Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths From 10 Year Olds And 100 Year Olds is: Drumroll please...Blue Violet! Congratulations! I will be in touch to get your mailing information. You can see my husband here choosing the winner. I know, lousy picture, but in the interest of full disclosure I wanted to print it anyway.

I am heading to my parents house today for a visit and to begin a new crafting project. I'm thinking there might just be a new giveaway in the works here. I'll have to come up with a fun contest for it. I think I'll make you work a little for this one! Stay Tuned.....

Wordless Wednesday

My parents with their grandkids on Christmas day

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Sorry I'm so late today. I was at the hospital this morning with my parents. Dad went in to have his heart defibrillated this morning for the second time. The thing they do with the paddles. Well it appears that it worked this time and his heart has been shocked into a better rhythm. Cross your fingers it stays that way and he should be feeling a little better very soon.

In breaking news I hear there is a new bullet in Tiger's backside! Surprise, surprise, a sex tape has come out of the woodwork! Wonder who we will see? Maybe they will block out the face to protect her identity and leave us guessing.....will she be a ranting redhead? But then, of course it could be the redhead who does things so we don't have to. No, if it was JD, she would have shown us the tape first. Hmmm, a screaming, mad blonde perhaps? Yeah, she says she's an unassuming grandmom, but how do we know! The clues people, look for the clues! Perhaps one of those hot blooded sicillian women from NYC! You know who you are...watch for the hand gestures, waving arms. Oh, but what if we see someone a bit more unexpected? A little twist to our morning? Now that would be scandalous!
Give it your best guess, who do you think we will see?

Partridge In A Pear Tree

When I have a party, I always try to do one thing that's a standout. It's the obnoxious Martha Stewart coming out in me! It's fun for me and I get a kick out of doing this stuff. The special thing is always food and most of the time is a dessert because I have a love affair with pastry.
Somewhere in my travels; magazine, craft store, blog trolling, I saw a picture of this partidge in a pear tree and it stuck in my mind. All I did was make carrot cupcakes, then frosted them with a leaf tip and green, cream cheese frosting. I bought a package of fondant and formed the little pears and the partridge out of that. The feathers on the partridge are sliced almonds stuck in to the fondant while it was still very soft. The pear stems are pieces of toothpicks. I covered a cake circle as well as a small box, in green foil as my base. Stacked the cupcakes and added the fondant pears and partridge.
Anyone can do this, there was nothing hard about it. It did take a little time to make the partridge and the little pears but I just did it in the evening while watching tv. I think it was worth it, it turned out pretty cute and it made a great centerpiece for the dessert table in my dining room.

Wii Battle

New Years Eve was lots of fun. We laughed continuously, we snacked a lot, drank a bit. The battle of the bands? Didn't go quite as we had planned. Ok, we lost miserably. Can you believe it? Oh, style points....We ROCKED with our Sgt. Pepper look! Our opposing band consisted of my hubs, bil, and 2 nephews. Of course the nephews play Rock Band all the time and are able to play Metallica behind the back and with their eyes closed. Consequently, The Beatles songs were a snap. Drat! The gents went first and scored VERY high. Then the Sisters were up. We caved under pressure, yep, a couple of meltdowns during Ticket To Ride and that was the end of it! REMATCH!


We broke to regroup and have another drink. Then on to competitive Wii bowling. All out, take no prisoners, we needed a win badly! Well, the injuries got us. On the third frame I'm pretty certain I pulled a hamstring. I tried to walk it off, played through the pain because it's all about the team. This Wii stuff is not for sissies. For now I am on the injured reserve list

but recouperating nicely. I am at home nursing the Wii hammie and I will be back!