More candles to make!

Well, just got another call today and got an additional order for candles. I guess I better get on the ball and make them tomorrow. They are needed by Monday - only 3 days away! Wow, maybe I should focus more on my candles. They are, after all, a lot less expensive than the jewelry making for sure. Of course, less money means less profit unless I look at it from the volume versus profit point of view.

I need to really get better organized. I have over 20 gifts I have to ship out to 20 different people and I haven't even gotten them together. Time is going by so fast and I need to get them ready no later than this weekend as I will have to ship them early next week. I do, after all, want them to reach their respective destinations BEFORE Christmas.

I feel as though I am being pulled in every direction. Kind of like that old, blue, stuffed bunny my little princess got several years ago. The one that has had its ears, head and arms ripped off from being pulled on and fought over so many times. The one that has been so lovingly hand-sewn countless times and now honorably sits in our living room couch. A silent reminder of my little princess' wild antics.

One good thing that I've decided with the candles is that I will only be making a handful of scents so as not to have so many that I will get overwhelmed. Also, I will only be doing two or three different jar candles. Lately, I've come to the conclusion that it might be good that I also make votives for those that want to get a small gift under five dollars. I will, of course, have it in a cello bag with a bow to make it look tasteful and with a higher perceived value. I will post pics on here once I take one I'm happy with.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Under our Christmas tree, anyway. I just love Christmas. Despite the nasty Texas, un-Christmas-like weather! I've been baking a lot and the house smells delightful. It could also be all the candles I've been making. Either way, it smells so good!

Had to drop the Little Princess off for a few hours at a sitter's house so I could wrap her gifts and some others that if she knows what it is in them she will be immediately infirmed with diarrhea of the mouth. I had commented last week on a cool new electric shaver that I planned on getting for Mr. Sir for Christmas. Guess who piped up and loudly announced it on one of Mr. Sir's days off? "Oh, daddy, mommy said she's going to get you one of those for Christmas." Right when the commercial came on. Yep, I turned and glared at her with imaginary arrows darting at her.

So, today, just to be on the safe side, I dropped her off for a few hours. The sitter wanted her to spend the night but although that would have been wonderful and a much deserved evening of peace and quiet for me, I had to say no as it is a school night. Those few hours of peace and quiet were precious. They would've been even better if I hadn't found the friggin' cat laying on the living room couch. Argh! I hate that cat.

She's ornery, nasty and sheds everywhere. I can't even get rid of her, try as I might. Even the shelters turned her away and she's a Siamese...they said they had no more room. I have at some very desperate moments wanted to just throw her out the door and close and lock the door and never let her in again. I just don't have the heart and it would be very irresponsible of me to do that.

If anybody wants a free Siamese, all shots/records, spayed and ready to come lay on your couch...you can have her for the taking. I also have a Turkish Van that's real sweet but I have had it with cats. My kids don't want to look after them and I only gave birth to two living creatures, not four. I know I couldn't possibly be so lucky that someone would just take them off my hands; throughout my life, luck appears to evade me.

Tuesday Night Ramblings

Well, I finally made the time to add my candles and lotion to my website. I've already got quite a few orders for the candles so I figured I better put them on my site so people can actually see what they look like.

I guess I'm just lazy because putting more stuff on there just gets me orders and thus more work. It's okay because it is the holiday season and I've bought gifts for so many people that I need to replenish my cash stash.

It's been hectic around our household lately, more so than usual. Next Monday is the teenager-type's end of his first semester in college. Where did the time go? Why are the days seemingly flying by at the speed of light? Someone, stop the world and let me take a rest. Can someone please tell me why kids are so messy?

This is one time of year I am really glad I do not work outside the home. I don't know how I would find the time to do all that I would have to do. I do miss the adult conversation and my girlfriends.

I'm doing a "Secret Santa" with a lady from Indiana and I just sent out her gifts today. I'm hoping she and her kids will like the gifts. I got them all something from their Christmas wish list so I feel confident they will be pleased. I've yet to send out Christmas cards to everyone on my list. I must admit; however, that I am doing great this year. My shopping is all done, except for my mom's gift. I did find out that she needs new clothes so that's a no-brainer.

What's difficult is having my car trunk filled with Christmas toys for my Little Princess. I dare not take them out as she can smell things like that, it seems. Teenage-types are hard to shop for and since he wants gadgets that are expensive and computer-related, well, that leaves only one thing -- cold hard cash. He, being the impatient person that he is, (got it from me, I must admit) has already taken a draw on his "gift".

I guess I better get to bed and get some rest. I have errands to run in the morning. Have a restful and blessed night, everyone.

Candles and my solution to the problem

Being that I make jewelry, soaps and body care products I decided to add candles to my list. I've made candles in the past but didn't really want to have more work. So, I made the decision of signing up with Mia Bella candles. Boy was that a big mistake! The lady that sponsored me was awesome and I couldn't have asked for a better person to work with. Unfortunately, Mia Bella's customer service was very poor.

The candles were awesome because I got a sample from my sponsor. I signed up in October and it was November 12th and I still hadn't received anything from them. I called and spoke to several people but they all seemed rude and uncaring. I decided to give it a few more days to see if "Bob" would fix things as he promised. A few days later I got a box from UPS with the wrong candles and no explanation. Also, it appears "Bob" forgot to keep his word of using another delivery service. Trish was the customer service rep that I spoke to on more than one occasion and each time she was rude and didn't know what she was doing.

They were, however, quick to charge my card. So, needless to say, since I want things done right and Mia Bella doesn't know the meaning of professionalism or good customer service, I'm doing the candles myself.

I'm writing this in my blog because I want to make sure that if anyone out there hasn't heard the flip side of the coin with this company...here you have it. Also, you do have to join the candle of the month program where they rip you off for 50 bucks every month for the "privilege" of ordering from them at half price....thing is a 16 oz candle at half price is $9.50 and their votive candles are $1 each. I can make them for a fraction of that and scent them however I want.

The $50 they take is supposed to be for a 16 oz candle, and 12 votives as well as a bar of soap. Even after I sent them my resale tax certificate the idiots still charged me tax! Stay away from Mia Bella and just make your own candles, it is very easy and much more lucrative. The best part of making them yourself is that you won't have to deal with incompetent people that only care about their bottom line.

In less than a couple hours I made several Banana Nut Bread candles in apothecary jars, as well as some Pumpkin Pie Streusel in Victorian jars, Apple Pie votives and Christmas Tree scented ones in 18 oz. containers I put them in little cello bags, added a ribbon and voila I'm in business. My customers loved them, I don't have to pay ridiculous over-inflated shipping prices and best of all no dealing with ignorance.

An added plus is that my house smells like I'm baking wonderful goodies.

The Blessings Continue to Pour In - Praise the Lord!!

I must give glory to the One responsible for the bountiful blessings I am in the midst of receiving. When it rains, it pours! Ok, get this, friends, readers and lurkers alike. About 3 days ago I got a wild thought in my mind...not unusual. I decided I want a new car. I wanted a new mini van to be exact. Now granted, I don't want to give them any money because it's right before the holidays and I am one that truly enjoys more the act of giving than receiving during this season. On a whim, I went online and applied for a loan on a used mini van, a Quest by Nissan.

Yes, it looks like a vehicle from outer space...like a pod on wheels, an over-sized bug, etc. However, I am not your typical soccer mom...shoot, I'm not even a soccer mom; more like a geek mom. Thus my taste in funny-looking vehicles. Some moms want a big fancy SUV, others want a racy, sleek car. Not me, I'm sensible. I'm odd. I'm a geek mom. A nerd, if you will. My dream car is a Quest. I don't care if people laugh at me or point at me and giggle. I'm not into appearances.

Back to the story at hand, I apply online and yesterday, get this--I hear a knock at my door and I'm thinking it's the mailman. I open the door and standing right there is the salesman from Nissan, on my front step telling me I was approved and since I put in my phone number wrong they could not call me. Nissan is about 5 minutes from where I live. I was floored. I'm thinking they really want to sell me a car. I had to help my new friend get some supplies for her new business -- which by the way made her a profit of $300 yesterday in a couple hours only. Can you say Praise the Lord? Anyway, I tell the man I can't go look at the vehicles as I'm helping my friend out and I also mention to him that my friend's son works at Nissan and I would be dealing with him.

After I get done helping my friend buy the merchandise, we head back and I go to the dealership right afterwards. I'm thinking my credit stinks, there's no way they're giving me a car. Something told me to hang in there. I really didn't care either way because I don't really "need" a car right now. Still, I stayed because my friend's son needs the money on this sale. I didn't get the minivan. I was ticked. He talked me into looking at other new vehicles. I looked at the Versa...which is a tiny little thing, cute but no sale.

He then walked me to the Altima and showed me one in my favorite color - white. I sat in it, test drove it and loved it. I was approved for the Altima 2007 with no money down, just as I'd hoped. Remember, my credit stinks. I don't have a "real" job, so to speak. I'm a stay at home mom. I make jewelry on a whim, sell it every once in a while and if not for the grace of God I would not have the very supportive husband that I was blessed with. I stated I only wanted the title in my name so I can establish my credit. It was a yes all the way around. I walked out of there at 10 pm the humble owner of a brand spanking new car in my favorite color. My salesman even had to drive it home for me as I was in our little Honda and Little Princess can't drive yet.

I'd prayed for a mini van or whatever was God's will. God's will was for me to have an Altima for right now. Once my credit is established I will trade it in for the Quest. If it's God's will. This post was written to show others that God is indeed faithful. I trust Him and His guidance in my life. How could I not? My faith is such that I know no matter what happens in my life God is there for me every step of the way. In the good times and more so than ever in the bad times for like that poem goes...during your times of trial and suffering, it was then that I carried you.

Hold on to the hope that is Jesus Christ for His word will not return void. He promised us that. God keeps His promises. I know that. I've lived it. One act of kindness is repaid immeasurably by God's grace and bountiful blessing. I love to help people. My heart sings for joy when I can share my blessings with those that need it most. My new friend, I just found out, has no heat in her house. Her gas was turned off because she cannot afford to pay the bill. I have only known her a little over a week but I must help her. A long time ago I prayed that God will use me and send people my way that need help. He has answered my prayers once again.

Nobody is too rich or too poor or too big or too small too smart or not enough to help out in the work that God has laid before us. We can all help in some small way. You never know when God will use you as a blessing to others. Yes, even geeky moms like me. In God's eyes, we are all equal. I love you friends, those that I know and those friends I've yet to meet. God Bless every single one of you.

God's Grace is never-ending

Today I finally got in contact with a lady who has a shop full of store fixtures/racks that she no longer needs. Her business didn't work out. I found her on a fluke, or so I thought. After meeting this woman today, I realized that in God's plan there are no flukes, no chance happenings, no accidents. His plan is perfect.

I looked over the pieces she had to offer and then she invited me to her home to see yet more equipment along with pricing guns and a state of the art cash register; all items I will need for my own shop. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that all the fixtures I would require for my shop, including some jewelry props, I'd find in a 10x10 foot storage and just a slightly larger garage. She sat me down at her kitchen table and offered me a drink - which I took. We sat and talked about everything under the sun as if we had known each other all our lives.

In that time I learned she is in a very difficult situation, her house payment has not been made in almost 2 months. She has 6 children and is a single mother. She is a Christian and I think I was sent there to give her a boost in confidence and maybe some direction? I don't know but at the end of the conversation she told me to take everything and to pay her whenever I had the money. Of course I won't do that as I want her to have her money immediately. She's asking very little money for the entire lot. She also invited me to her church (I've been praying about a church to go to) and when I asked what church it was she told me and I found out it was a church I had belonged to several years ago and was just recently thinking about returning to. N, remember I told you about that one?

I talked to her about some business options that she had to get her out of the financial bind she is in right now. I offered to go into business with her or to lead the way and let her take the reigns once the business was running smoothly. I told her God was, is and always would be faithful to those that trust in Him and believe His Word. Her face lit up every time I told her God would not allow her to lose her house. I don't know how or when He will do it but I have all the faith in the world that just as He has pulled me out of many a bind, whether it be financial, emotional or otherwise, He would certainly and without a doubt do the same for her.

When I woke up this morning I had no idea God would use me today as He did and in the process bless me beyond belief. The blessings keep pouring in. Just as He promises in His Word...
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

I stand in awe at the wonder of His grace, the everlasting love that is God and the faithfulness of my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. When we obey God there is no telling what He will do in our lives.

Those of you that know me personally know that I give freely of myself to anyone that needs it. I never expect anything in return. I don't have to. I have God on my side. May God bless you all ever so bountifully that there shall not be room enough to receive it. All be for the Glory of God Almighty.

My Boutique is one step closer to opening!! YAY!

I found out that my favorite thrift store is closing down in two weeks, maybe sooner. I was saddened about it at first. God has turned this in my favor however as I was told the racks were for sale as well. For those of you who don't know me, I've been planning on opening my boutique. This is the perfect opportunity as the items I normally would buy for this would cost me hundreds of dollars to obtain I got for $60.

I'm going to a lady's storage on Monday as well as she was setting up shop in a really bad area and it didn't go well for her. I did give her some advice as to doing the demographics check before starting something like that. Especially in the area we live in. She has name brand clothing for $3 per piece as she is just wanting to get rid of them and cut her losses.

She also told me all the racks and hangers and all including the cashier machine she would give me for a couple hundred dollars. After I hung up with her I felt like God is making a huge move in the direction I've been praying about. I'm also waiting on the people that I got the racks from earlier as they have 3 display cases that I need to get from them. Exactly the number I need for my boutique!! This isn't luck, readers, this is God's hand doing an amazing work in my life. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for being so wonderful and finding everything for me just in my price range.

I'm so excited I had to get on here just to fill you guys in on what I've been up to lately. I feel alive again! I have something to work towards and it is just over the horizon. I can see it. I can feel it. I can breathe it.

If you have been hoping and praying for something to come through in your lives remember that although patience is a virtue - one that I do not possess - God does answer prayers. In His time. I almost made the mistake of giving up and just paying full price for the fixtures. Displays like I need average about $500 per piece. The racks are $200 each. Now, with all these blessings windfall, I can use that towards my lease fund. God is an AWESOME God!

Can we praise the Lord!!! I'm walking on cloud NUEVE!! God Bless you all. :)

Exhausting two weeks

Well, I'm through with a huge order of jewelry that had me designing, crimping, wrapping and toggling. I was in such a frenzy to finish this order and have it shipped I totally forgot to take pictures and post them on here for all to see.

I must admit, I was under the influence of anti-bobblehead meds so I'll have to blame it on that because I simply cannot take the blame for my shortcomings. Argh! Now I will have to make another one just so I can show it off on here.

It's been raining since yesterday and my sinuses, miraculously, cleared up! Thank you, God, you have been listening to my pitiful pleas for the last month and a half. I so appreciate the fact that I am able to breathe and can now lay down without feeling like I'm going to asphyxiate. The wonders clean air can do for my respiratory system are remarkable indeed. Remind me again, why do I live in Texas? Oh, I remember now...Mr. Sir is stubborn as an old mule.

I'm picking out the paint to remodel my craft room...don't know if remodel is the proper word but I want a change. Add a little pop of color and cheerfulness to my boring life.

It hasn't helped that Little Princess has been falling behind on her schoolwork because she's been sick as well. That along with her goofing off instead of concentrating on her work has won her the privilege of no TV/Computer/Webkinz....today, like a miracle from heaven, she aced her spelling test. Her privileges are back to normal...that is until this weekend. She has been warned. She fails to get good grades...above a C, and she's back in the dog house.

The wonderful world of parenthood.

I'm back and I'm busy!!

I haven't been on here because I've been busy with my jewelry, among other crafty things. I cannot believe more than a week has passed since I last blogged. Wow, I'm really slacking. I just have a million things going right now. Little Princess decided to take a crafting class every Saturday morning so that's where I've spent the last two Saturdays. The teenage-type offspring is having a birthday next Tuesday so I took him shopping for clothes yesterday. I cannot believe how much he's grown in so little time. My baby is all grown up. Gone are the days where I went shopping for him and got the sizes correct. His jeans are now 32x34, I was shocked beyond words. I wanted to cry.

You see, my son is the silent type. When he was little and I had company, nobody knew him. He would never come out unless he was told to do so. He was and still is so very shy. He preferred to play in his room to going out and hanging with friends and still does to this day. He doesn't ask for anything and is usually pretty happy with whatever he gets. Doesn't complain. He's a straight-A student. He makes me so very proud. I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be his mother. He's a gentle soul that God has blessed me with and I couldn't have wished for a better son.

I have to order his cake for next Tuesday and want to surprise him with one that looks like a computer. I'll have to see if I can find a place that will make that. I have a computer shaped cake pan but I don't want to mess it up as I'm not good at drawing the designs on it. It has to be perfect. I still find it hard to believe my baby will be 17 already. I was going through his old stuff not too long ago and came across one of his favorite toys as a young child. Woody from Toy Story. I asked him if he wanted it knowing full well what his answer would be. He just smiled and said no. I promptly took it from him and put it on my dresser. It will sit there until someday when he has his own son, it will be passed down to him.

Taking Melaleuca Allergy Meds

With the allergies hitting me every year during this time I decided I had to take something to make my daily existence a little more bearable. Now, I'm feeling much better; the bobble-headed feeling is not as bad as it would be if I were taking products from the drugstore. It's similar to Benadryl only better.

Today we went to Hobby Lobby and Joanns and Michaels. I also found out that I could not use the coupons towards any of the Cricut die cutting materials. Bummer. So, I still want the Cuttlebug while I'm waiting to get the Wishblade. Walmart has the Cricut for $188; which isn't too bad but I really want the Wishblade and if I buy the Cricut I don't think it's very smart to do that. I will still be wanting the Wishblade.

I did go to Target as well and managed to find a Crafting storage container for my papers. Next week I will go back to get the storage cubes as well.

On the Melaleuca...I'm going to start buying it on Ebay as I canceled my membership with them. I just can't see a need to be ordering their products every month to the tune of $65-$70 bucks. The products are great but too much for me to spend on every month. If they weren't so greedy maybe I'd continue to order from them. Also, the woman that signed me up at the beginning of the year was always rude. I don't deal well with rudeness.

I have a headache right now so I think I will try to organize my scrapbooking supplies and rest for a bit. Have a blessed day, everyone!

Sick again!!

Monday afternoon I took little princess to a nearby park to feed the ducks. It was a gorgeous day, the weather was mild and I enjoyed every bit of it. We took pictures and were there for no more than 45 minutes. I really enjoyed the outing. I even videotaped my daughter playing with the ducks and feeding them. After a super fun afternoon we head home after stopping at the craft store and I finally got the Crop-a-dile I was looking for and found with a 40% off coupon to boot! I'm riding high and I'm cool and I'm the cat's meow and I'm feeling like a supermom. Uh-huh. I am mentally doing the happy dance (can u tell I spend too much time online).

Tuesday dawns and I am sick as a dog. In my circuit-shorted mommy brain I forgot the reason I hate Texas so much and was quickly reminded by the dry, scratchy throat, stuffy head feeling. My allergies!! I went out like a normal person should do and enjoyed the day...for crying out loud did I not know this weather does me in every single time? Was my mind so far gone that I actually entertained the thought of living a normal life in this God-forsaken part of the country? Argh...here we go again. I feel as I have razor blades in my throat. The bobble-headed feeling is slowly creeping up on me again!! I feel like Lucy from the Peanuts gang when Charlie Brown gets on her nerves. How could I have been so stupid? I thought for a fleeting moment, wait, no -- an afternoon that I could act like a normal person and pretend to be able to breathe the cloud of smog and allergens that is the Dallas atmosphere. Rant over.

I now sit like a good little mommy that knows better than to venture out into the cold cruel (or in this case hot cruel) pollen/allergen infested world that is Texas. I will now suffer in silence my fate for the next week or two. Time which I will speak with a raspy voice that some say sounds sexy but I liken to the mutterings of the creature from the black lagoon. Que sera sera.

Happy Birthday Lam!!

Today is one of my good friend's birthday. She turns 37 today. We're going out to lunch this week in celebration. Next month I'm going to her mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary party. She told me they are going to make it like a wedding all over again. I tell you one thing, these people do not spare expense when it comes to their parents. Lam is Vietnamese and is the sweetest person I know. She and Sonny have been married for 6 years now.

We will probably go have Pho for lunch this week since she doesn't eat American food. That's fine, I love Pho. Although, I can never finish the entire bowl of this delicious soup. Also, I always feel like a klutz because I cannot use the chop sticks to pick up the rice. Give me a spoon and fork; I'm sorry but I'm not talented like they are....not that way anyway.

Every time we've gone for lunch -- I used to work with her -- she would give me some chopsticks and tell me to go home and practice. Well, here I am 4 years later and have a wonderful collection of chopsticks in my kitchen drawer. The ones my daughter hasn't used for crafting purposes, that is. Shhhh, don't tell Lam.

What's funny about Lam is she eats like a horse and is skinny as a toothpick. I also love her accent. Her S sounds come out like SH. For instance, she refers to her husband as Shonny, not Sonny. When she gets dressed up she says she feels "Sheckshy" instead of sexy. I talked to her on the phone this past week and she said she cannot believe I remember her birthday every year. I don't forget stuff like that, especially when it concerns people I care for.

So, we will go have Pho this week...I will have chicken and she will have "beep" -- Lams way of saying beef.

Lam -- here's to many, many more healthy years. You are still a young sheckshy cheek. Now...go get 'em girrrrl!! Love ya!

You're probably tired now

of hearing about my scrapbooking excursions with my little princess. I apologize if that's the case but I am going to post about that again.

Little Princess had 27 dollars burning a hole in her purse...yes, she has a purse, several actually. She's a handbag fanatic just like her mommy. Good think she doesn't know enough about them to expect the same brands mommy buys. I must give myself credit for not spending on them like I did back when I had an outside job and got paid on a bi-weekly basis. The last time I bought an expensive purse was last Summer at Banana Republic. I still carry it. I'm really wanting a Louis Vuitton but the one I want is a cool $1400; even I am not crazy enough to dish out that kind of money for a handbag. I am what my friend eloquently calls a "handbag whore." When she told me that, I was floored that she used that word.

Back to the story at hand. I went to do my usual Friday errands and we stopped by at Big Lots; not much in the area of scrapbooking. I'm also looking for a scrapbooking storage cart/shelves/case. I didn't find anything worth buying; not for scrapbooking anyway. All the Fall stuff was out and it looked so pretty.

We then went to Mardel and I made some purchases there in their scrapbooking area. Not too bad but since it isn't really a craft store we hopped on over to Hobby Lobby since they are right next to each other. I did get the Crop-A-Dile I was looking for and got it with the 40% discount coupon so I did well there. I also bought a plethora of stamps, ink pads and another album all at 50% off. All in all it was a busy day.

We also stopped at a girls clothing store to get the little princess some new clothes as she is growing like a weed and is leaving her clothes practically new because they don't fit any more. No short skirts, no "revealing" tops, no up-to-there shorts. My baby is growing too fast. She did get another Webkinz, thanks for getting her hooked on these, N. ;) She also purchased a scrapbook album with her own money.

I'm going to be scrapbooking tonight again as I lead an otherwise boring life. I don't drink, don't smoke and curse only occasionally. What other vice could a mom like me possibly have? I'm allowed, I deserve it and I cannot wait until I get my Wishblade.

Need more hours in the day, please!

I haven't been on here lately because the scrapbooking has kept me busy. I must admit I did join another Christian forum and...well, didn't just join it I forgot I belonged to it and just "re-discovered" it. My old friends are still there. It's fun...they have games. Like I need more things taking up my time, right?

Since I have so many pictures I need to scrapbook I really have to focus on that to get them out of the way. They've been just stored in boxes and photo center envelopes and that's wrong. I'm a mom and an A personality and these things need to be where they need to be. Ya know? I have been such a slacker and I deserve to get my hair pulled for that. Yes, I do. My ears pulled too.

What's wrong with me? I have fallen off the supermom wagon and I need to get my behind in gear and go forth and scrapbook, organize, clean, tidy up, Carol Brady style. Wait. She had Alice to do all that. Aaahhh, the perks of living a fake life on TV!

There just isn't enough hours in the day to do all that a mom needs to do. Although, I have realized that if the day were longer I would have that many more chores to do. I must admit that the laundry is done. Except for a couple of blankets. I'm doing those tonight. While I scrapbook.

Burning the midnight oil

Well, here I am again, after only 4 hours of another drug induced sleep, up at 6 am on a Sunday morning. Since I couldn't sleep I started praying; nothing in particular, more in general. I prayed for the women in Afghanistan too. I was watching CNN last night and saw a special about the horrible living conditions for these poor women. I cried all through it. My heart ached for them. For their futures, for their children. I prayed that somehow, in His infinite mercy, the good Lord would reach their souls and help them to get out of that situation. How? I don't know the answer to that but God is a merciful and loving God. He is the Almighty. What can a simple mom like me do for them; not much really, except pray that is. Every single day. I am thousands of miles away from them. I am thankful that God is omnipresent as well as omnipotent. Most of those people do not believe in Him. I know that. I think, however, that if enough of us pray about it, a revival could take place. Yes, in the middle of the desert, yes in a land and people so far away from Christianity. Why? How? Because God promised us in His word:

John 14:13, 14 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

I realized, after watching this program, that I am truly blessed beyond words. I mean I have always known most Americans have it easy compared to people in many other countries but this really opened my eyes. For the life of me, I cannot fathom the fear, frustration and helplessness these poor women must live through day in and day out. My heart absolutely broke when they showed a young woman who was sold into marriage by her own alcoholic, gambling father. At the age of 7. At 11 she burned herself to escape the hurt and humiliation of the life she was forced to live. A beautiful girl with eyes haunted by the miserable past of her young life. I physically hurt for her. I still cannot get the image of her out of my mind. I so wish I could reach out to her and help her and the millions of other women in countries like that. Where women are seen as second-class citizens; as if they didn't matter.

In the heart of this humble wife and mother -- they matter more than they will ever know.

I've been resurrected!

I have finally been resurrected from the crud. Oh, man did that nasty crud get me good. Well, actually it wasn't as bad as it was last year. It took me 3 weeks to get over it back then. This time it has been close to a week but I'm much better.

I'm still coughing like a 3-pack-a-day cigarette smoker but that will take a little bit longer to get rid of. I've been waking up at about 4 am every day with the hacking cough. Makes me feel like I'm going to pass out from all that exertion. My head hurts from all the coughing. I've gone through a bottle of Dayquil, another of Nyquil and now I'm taking Robitussin once a day to ease my coughing fits a little bit.

My body felt so worn out and I just wanted to sleep but lo and behold...I am a mom...a wondermom at that. Did I rest? No. Did I cook? Is the sky blue? Every single day. I tell you there is no rest for a mom. Did I get a single friggin' thing for my anniversary, uh, no. Did I even remember it; well, no. But -- that's beside the point.

So, just out of spite, I went to the Joanns Superstore in Dallas. I drove all the way over there and found nothing worth buying. I went to go buy the Crop-A-Dile. With the way my luck has been going this week I wasn't one bit surprised to find that they were out. I wasn't too disgusted when I saw the 15 people waiting in line to check out. I smugly waltzed out of there with my little princess in tow. How dare they! There wasn't a sale flyer in sight -- the audacity!!

Drove to another town and went to Hobby Lobby, surprise surprise, they were out as well. I did, however, purchase a few small things just 'cause I felt like it. I guess every scrapbooking person for miles around was buying up this particular tool and thus I found none. What I did see that was, of course, available was the Cricut die-cutting machine. After I looked at the price of that puppy, I realized why there were plenty of those left.

I've made the decision that I will go one step above that and get the Wishblade. Not cheap but dadgumit, I got nothing for my anniversary!! He's paying, I tell you, he's paying dearly. I WILL get my Wishblade and I may not wait until Christmas! I just may even pay full price for it...just to show him. Nah, maybe not...I'll get it at a discount and spend the rest on more supplies. He's still dishing out the $400-plus. I can feel it in the fiber of my being.

On a 3 day hiatus from blogging

I have been down with the crud and this will last for another week or so, could be longer. I will be back on here as soon as I return to the land of the crud-less.

Since I am a wife and mother I will, of course, see no rest or relief from my daily duties. I feel like a servant without pay.....slave, there, that's it! I feel like my head is going to explode from all the disgusting sinus congestion. I take OTC meds to alleviate the miserable feeling only to feel like a bobble-head. So, I have a choice, feel cruddy and stuffy and sneezy and scratchy (sounds like the seven dwarfs) or feel like a bobble-head/zombie. I choose the latter. I am not one to tolerate misery very well.

Unlike my little princess who will suffer through colds/flu/headaches, etc. with no meds whatsoever, I will hit the bottle....Tylenol, Dayquil, Nyquil, Coricidin, anything to pull me through this misery for yet another day.

When I had my kidney removed 8 years ago this past July my doctor had to scold me a couple times for taking all my pain meds and asking for more. I do not like pain. I do not tolerate pain. Pain and I are not friends. The pain of kidney removal is not good. More about that in another post at another time. For now, I will go and hit the bottle, the OTC bottle that is.

It's Raining in the DFW area

And I love it! It makes me want to bake and read while the cookies and the strawberry bread are baking. I'm tired though because I've been coughing at night and haven't had much rest. My ankle is feeling better...enough that I not only went to one but two Dollar Tree stores and then on to Joanns for scrapbooking stuff.

I love it when it rains like this. God is being so good to me! I have so much to be grateful for; healthy kids, good husband, a nice home, good health and lots of playthings like jewelry supplies, soap making supplies and now scrapbooking supplies. I got my Creative Memories kit today so I will be calling the CM upline lady and schedule a time to give her back her stuff.

I'm looking forward to the crop this Friday night but if my cough hasn't let up I won't be going. My head feels so stuffed up and the minute I try to lie down to rest a little bit I start coughing. I love the cooler weather though. I wish it were Fall all year round.

Teenager-type got another computer resuscitating job. This time it is a church that has a computer with a virus. He just fixed the neighbor's computer. She's a friend of the family. He needs to have a rate sheet. He could be making a nice chunk of pocket change if he advertised.

Creative Memories Consultant

You are now reading the blog of a brand spanking new Creative Memories consultant. Yep, I took the leap and I should be getting my kit by sometime next Tuesday or Wednesday. The lady that signed me up was nice enough to give me the items that were included in the kit that she had readily available. I will pay her back when my kit arrives. I couldn't wait to get it so she gave me about half of the items. I also purchased from her, at my discount, the oval cutter which is awesome.

See, last weekend when I went to Michaels, I purchased a Fiskars cutting system. Paid $30 for it only to discover when I tried to use it the darn thing didn't work. The round cutter worked like a charm but the oval one skipped and moved the picture and cut it all crooked. I have over 16 years worth of pictures that need to be organized and put in a scrapbook.

There is one thing I don't like about this CM thing. The lady kept telling me I have to call and schedule classes with my friends and family. I frankly told her I was in this to have fun, to get my product at a discount and not to make money. She makes a living out of this. I already have too much on my plate with homeschooling, 2 kids that like it when I feed them, an ornery parrot that likes to be tended to and two cats that think they rule.

She has called me or emailed me several times to see if I'm calling my "list of potential customers". I don't like that. I will tolerate it until my kit comes in and I replace the items she gave me. This is not to say I won't hold a crop if the opportunity should arise but I'm not marketing it. I do not take kindly to pushy salespeople.

Creative Memories does have a quota of $500 retail every quarter. That's about $350 plus tax & shipping my cost. That's fine because when I went to Michaels I easily spent $100 and it was for a very small amount of items, including the useless Fiskars cutting set.

Today, I'm off to Joanns. I want some pretty embellishments. Also, some pretty paper and a tote to put the paper in.

Oh, the agony!

First of all, I want to apologize to my two or three readers that come on here every day to read my insane babblings about my boring every day life. I did not post yesterday because this is what happened.

I was making my usual Friday errands which included stopping by Sams to pick up a few things. Mainly, the Lipton Green Tea my teenager-type offspring cannot live without. Due to lack of sleep from the cough that's been keeping me up at night, I figured I'd just go to the one closest to me. I know, I'm smart. I went, I shopped and I was in line to pay. It never happened. I stood there in line for what seemed like an eternity because the one last item would not scan. The computerized cash register kept reading "Can't make the sell". At first I found it extremely annoying that the powers that be in charge of entering this information are grammatically lacking. Hello...it's "SALE" not "Sell", hay, Dios mio...these foolish people!

The thought that I am a good Christian woman flashed through my ever impatient mind. I did not say what I was thinking. I waited and waited and... well you get the picture. While the 'supervisor' is calling out over the loudspeaker to one of the stockers to check on the item in question. He did, she entered the UPC#. Again, the item could not sell. I'm thinking what in tarnation is going on. They have hundreds of these cases back there and in the endcap how can they not make the sale? Again, the supervisor person announces over the loudspeaker, in Spanish no less, that it's not working. I look at the line behind me and apologize for holding up the line. They politely smile and tell me it's ok. Of course I know it isn't.

Supervisor calls "manager" after spending 15 minutes arguing back and forth with the stocker person, over the loudspeaker and in Spanish all the while. I'm embarrassed and would've left if the friggin' item had not been the very item I was there for...the ever disappearing Green Tea!! Manager dude scans the item, as if it hasn't been done a thousand times already. As if it's a newly discovered feature that the seemingly incompetent supervisor cannot figure out on her own. He turns around and says, "We can't sell it to you" I said,"Can you not override that and put in the price?" Manager said he couldn't. I asked for my card back and told them to keep their groceries. I walked out. It was TEA for crying out loud!

I then proceeded to go to the other Sams repeated everything minus the string cheese; I don't need the calories anyway. Went and ordered a pizza to bring home for lunch. Paid for everything and walked out. Tea was scanned without a problem, the miracle!! Walked out to my car and unloaded groceries. Turned to pick up pizza, cart tried to run off in the direction of a new car parked next to me; I panicked. In order to keep it from hitting the pretty, shiny, new car I turned dropped the pizza back into the cart and somehow caught it before it hit and I twisted my ankle and fell in the process. Now, I am the not so happy camper with a sprained ankle.

This morning it's a nice shade of purple. I did save the pizza. And the pretty car next to us. I was hoping someone would feel sorry for me and come to my rescue when I landed like a startled cow that has just been tipped over by a wild bunch of teenagers. It didn't happen. I looked around but nobody was around to help. That's what I get for going to the store that early in the morning on a weekday. I do that to avoid the crowds. I did.

Today I'm sitting at home like a good mommy. I will scrapbook after I eat my turkey pot pie. It's Marie Callenders, they are good. I deserve it. I'm a woman in pain. All because of tea.

Alpha Omega's SOS Curriculum

Well, this week we have started the Switched on Schoolhouse curriculum with little Princess and she absolutely loves it. It is all computer based with the option of printing if you so choose. I cannot say enough good things about it. It really gets my daughter thinking and figuring out the answers.

I think we've found a winner in this curriculum and we will keep using it. I wish I had tried this last year. Live and learn, I guess. Never before have I seen her so enthusiastic about doing her schoolwork. It's amazing really.

Well...it's tomorrow!!

I'm sitting here waiting for Mr. Sir to get home from work so I can go to the Lady CM's to check out the scrapbooking stuff. I'm antsy. I'm excited.

Last night I was watching The Big Idea and saw how this couple started a multi-million dollar empire with only a few hundred dollars. I wonder if my enchiladas would pull that. I've always been told they are really good - it's the secret ingredient, I know it is. Although the host of the show, Donny Deutsch, says if we have an idea to do it now; well, I'm scared.

Now, you are probably thinking how good can those enchiladas be. Well, one of my ex-bosses, who just happens to be a millionaire himself and can eat wherever he well chooses, prefers my enchiladas. He likes them so much that one year for his birthday I gave him an enchilada voucher. It was good for two 9x13 pans of my homemade chicken enchiladas. He cashed them in for Christmas dinner. So, on Christmas eve that year I found myself making enchiladas.

Everybody that has ever eaten them raves about how good, meaty and moist they are. I do put a lot of chicken breast meat in them. And at the risk of sounding like a braggart, I must admit, they are muy deliciosas! Now, if I can only figure out a way to make them where they will stay fresh and great tasting for longer than a couple days. Flash freezing? Whatever that means. Hey, maybe I'm onto something here.

Which makes me wonder...what would I call my enchilada business? Hmmm, how about El Skipito Bandito's Chicken Enchiladas, or maybe Lady Di's to Die for Enchiladas...or even Arriba, Arriba Enchiladas. Maybe I'll just call myself The Whole Enchilada! I only use the breast meat, Sargento brand cheese and a few other "choice" ingredients. I like top quality stuff. Not some el cheapo off-brand ingredients. After all, what kind of gourmet enchilada maker would I be? Hee hee.

Write me and tell me what your thoughts are. Who knows, maybe someday you can say you had a hand at naming the multi-million dollar enchilada brand. Have you tried those disgusting frozen ones from El Charito and Banquet...even the Stouffers brand, they are disgusting.

I have a date tomorrow!!

With the Creative Memories consultant. She, luckily, doesn't live too far from me. I want to see what goodies she has. If their line is good I will sign up. I've checked pricing and between the local scrapbook suppliers and Creative Memories, it would be to my advantage to sign up. I will get a 30% discount all the time. Their minimum isn't bad and I already saw how quickly I can spend 100 bucks at Michaels on scrapbooking supplies....very few pieces for that money too. That's with a discount.

So tomorrow, my little princess and I will go to this lady's house. I am so excited, as is my little princess. It will be neat to see this woman's "store" since she pretty much has everything that Creative Memories has ever had. She's been doing this for the past 16 years! I don't know that I could do anything for that period of time. Amazing!

We are really looking forward to the crop we're going to on the 14th. That should be lots of fun. We're a wild partying pair, me and my daughter. Staying out 'til all hours of the night--the crop isn't over until midnight. I figure we can scoot on out of there early if little princess can't hang. On second thought, it might be me that can't hang. LOL!

Wholesale Scrapbooking Supplies

I went to Michael's today. Although I stayed within my spending limit, it wasn't easy. A few years ago I signed up with Creative Memories because I wanted to purchase their items at a discount to do some scrapbooking. Two years later the supplies were untouched and my ever-growing stack of pictures was still growing. I was working full-time so I figured I wouldn't have time to do any kind of scrapbooking for a while. I sold the 500 kit on ebay for like 300 bucks or so.

Now, I'm looking for wholesale suppliers. If I can get my supplies in bulk from a wholesaler, I'm doing it. I contacted a local Creative Memories consultant and she told me even after signing up with them my discount would be a mere 30% off retail. I would also have to purchase at least $500 in retail every three months. That comes out to $350 my cost which is approximately $120 per month or thereabouts.

I'm going to a crop in a couple weeks to see what all this will be like. I'm taking my daughter with me. She's excited, I'm apprehensive about signing up as I'm thinking I might be able to get a better deal elsewhere. Granted, Creative Memories has good quality products but I want to explore all my options before I take the leap should I decide to do that.

So, for the next two weeks, I'm doing my research. I'm determined to find a better deal, if it's out there. I'm not so sure where to look. If any of you can point me in the right direction, I would certainly appreciate it.

Scrapbooking

My little princess got a scrapbooking kit yesterday and is now into doing this fun yet expensive craft. I must admit that I do have too many pictures that have spent their lives in the original photo lab envelopes. Some of these pictures are more than 20 years old. That's even before scrapbooking was invented.

I do have many things to catch up on but as you may have already read in this previous post, I am notorious for starting things and leaving them half done. When the enthusiasm wears off, well, I go on to other projects. My little princess, however, will see to it that we finish all these pictures because she's not like me in that aspect. She will sit there and finish something until it is completely done.

Thank goodness she's like that as it will help me to keep on track with the scrapbooking. I look forward to it as it seems like it would be so much fun. Although, I may need another table in my crafting room to hold the materials for scrapbooking. Maybe I can get Mr. Sir to convert the garage for us. Make it into a bigger crafting room. Although, he's already planned on converting it into a game room. When that will happen is another story.

Now, I will go to my craft room and start our first page of this scrapbook. We'll see how long I can do this. Wish me luck!

Cosmetics and Good Skin

Do you ever wonder what happens to all those cosmetics that aren't sold at the store? The ones that nobody buys and they end up past their "expiration date"?

I use Bare Escentuals makeup and although a bit pricey, they are worth every penny. Back when I was in high school, eons ago, the most popular products used by my group of friends was Cover Girl. I used that liquid foundation and although I didn't know it at the time, it felt heavy. It was like a mask. I was one of the lucky few that had good skin and never broke out, despite the thick goop for makeup that I used.

Ever since I can remember I always took good care of my skin. It paid off I guess. A while back I went to do one of those clinical studies. One of my friend's daughter works for Stephens and Associates and she gets paid according to how many people she can sign up to do the studies. Some of them compensate nicely, others, eh, just ok. I do it to help her out as she is a single mom and depends on this source of income.

Anyway, I went in to see Dr. Stephens and he told me I did not qualify for the study as the wrinkles were not there. I had been turned away by this doctor in the past...no dark spots, no blotchiness, no acne, etcetera etcetera. As I mentioned I did this more to help my friend's daughter than to earn money for myself. Again, Dr. Stephens turned me away. A couple weeks later I got my $10 consolation, thank-you-for-trying check in the mail.

My point here is, I'm in my 40s now; 43 to be exact. I don't like being in the sun. I have had a nightly ritual of washing and moisturizing my face every single day since I was in my early teens. I've used products from Avon, Mary Kay (which I found out am severely allergic to), BeautiControl, Arbonne, Estee Lauder (allergic reactions), Shiseido, Clinique (allergic reactions), Yves Rocher, Kiotis, Jafra ( I love this line), Lancome and others which I have long forgotten about. I realized that it was the faithful ritual of daily/nightly cleansing and moisturizing that has allowed my skin to stay as problem free as it has. Not the makeup.

I actually "tested" the claims of Bare Escentuals Mineral makeup. They state it is so good for you that you can sleep with it on because it is natural and it will not harm your skin. It's true! It feels light and not heavy; like wearing no makeup at all. I'm not plugging this product for any reason other than it does what it says it will.

I get up every morning and look in the mirror to check and see if I have gotten my first wrinkle yet and so far - nothing. In the past 5 months all I have been using to wash my face with is my natural soap. I make it. I use the lavender scented to wash my face at night. It has real lavender flowers in it. I don't even moisturize in the morning any more. Only at night. After 30 years of experimenting with all lines of skin care, from the ritzy overpriced ones to the drugstore brands sold to the budget-conscious. I have found that my soap which contains olive oil, soybean oil and coconut oil works just as well. You can find it here.

I'm sticking with it because I know what goes in it. It's all natural and it smells divine!

A Difficult Situation

My mom is in the hospital. She was admitted a couple days ago. She is very sick. I don't know what to do. My siblings didn't tell me, I found out from another family member. Our relationship isn't the best and it's not like we are very close. You see, my mother doesn't like girls. She never has. Growing up I was the youngest and grew up with all brothers.

I've tried to get closer to her as she has aged and figured she might have mellowed out a bit but that hasn't happened. She is full of hatred. Speaks ill about everyone and I am not tolerable of that. Every time I've made an attempt at being civil to her she starts our conversations with gossip and it really brings me down. She moved two months ago and never told me where she'd gone nor did she give me her phone number. I had no way of contacting her.

When I was a young girl I could never go to her with my problems or issues that are so common in a teenager's life. I would be made to feel like a failure. I got an education because I decided I had no choice if I wanted to get somewhere in life. Her support was never there.

I see other women now that have a great relationship with their mothers and I long for that in my life. I guess it just wasn't meant for me to experience that. Because of what I lived through having a mother like I do, I am the exact opposite with my little princess. We go shopping together. We play, we sing, we dance. Most importantly, I let her talk to me and I listen. We take lots and lots of pictures together. We read. We have movie night just the two of us. Not that we go to the movies a lot but rather we put a movie in our DVD player or order one on cable and we make popcorn.

When I'm gone from this world I want my little princess to have good memories of her mommy. I want her to remember the good times so we have a lot of them. Don't get me wrong we still argue at times, after all she is as headstrong as I am. However, every single day, I tell her how much I love her. I never heard that from my mom, not once. I hug my little princess every day too because I never got that either.

Through the years my mother has always tried to do something to hurt me in one way or another. When she tried to meddle into my children's lives and turn them against me, that's when I decided I would not allow her to poison them. When I knew her number I would call her just to check if she needed anything. I would drop by when I knew where she lived to take her food I knew she liked. Even though every time she found something wrong with what I had brought her. And every time it was like someone had slapped me across the face and my spirit was broken. It must be very sad to be so full of anger like she is. I cannot imagine living an entire lifetime like that.

How do you tell someone?

There is a woman close to me who's husband was unfaithful...several years ago. This couple has been married for over 30 years. She is full of anger, understandably. She is bitter, undoubtedly. Why does this person stay in a relationship that is a poison to her soul? I'm a Christian but if I were in that situation I would forgive (maybe not forget) and pick up the pieces and go on. However, she states she cannot forgive. Ok, then get out of it. I know I would. If I cannot get past it, why torture myself living in a situation where I find it unbearable?

Her kids are grown up and have gone on with their lives. Why does she stay in such a horrible situation? Every time I talk to her, whether it be on the phone or in person, her venom spews forth. It is so hard to listen to her because she brings it up constantly. It rules her life. I feel sorry for her but I'm the type that I don't really have much patience when it comes to whiners. If you have an issue, take the steps to remedy the situation. Don't whine about something you are not willing to fix. Life is too short to live it in an emotional state of bitterness. Comprende?

Tagging Jewelry

Last night (or this morning rather) I stayed up until after 1 am tagging and pricing jewelry. I was completely overwhelmed at how many pieces I actually have completed and had not tagged/priced. My website does nowhere near justice to all the pieces I have. It is mind-boggling to say the least. It is also a tedious and boring task. Now I know why I've put it off as long as I did.

Nevertheless, I must put on my Namby Pamby and go forth and tag. My little princess wants so desperately to help but it is rather slow-going if I have to sit there and check her work. It must be done meticulously. There is no excuse for the job not getting done sooner than this. I'm lazy.

It took hours for me to even print the miniscule hangtags. They had to be just right, a perfect one-inch square when folded in half. Hole-punched, threaded and then tied to each jewelry piece with the exception of earrings, of course. After all that is done, I then have to go to each piece and individually put a price sticker on the back bottom corner of the tag. Oh, and the prices; well, they have to be printed on those little address labels and then cut to fit the tiny little corner on the tag. Just formatting those little suckers took me a couple hours. They had to be small but legible. I am posting a picture here for your viewing pleasure and to give an idea to those of you that are with me on this jewelry-making adventure.

Last week I had prepared the hangtags but with all the pricing, formatting and whatnot, last night I managed to finish a grand total of about 10 pieces. Argh, the agony!! I want them to look professional; not in a cold store-bought kind of way but in a way that portrays my level of expertise in this particular media. At the same time, I want to create an image that says this is handmade and contains natural gemstones and thus minor imperfections, as with all natural products.

Busier than usual Monday

Did my Sams run today and got little princess a second Webkinz that she bought with her own money. It's a little one. I had no idea these little toys were such a hot commodity. Had to resort to buying it at Hallmark as the local Mardel store was out and the lady there told me they run out the same day they arrive. Whoever thought this one up is rolling in it that's for sure.

Groceries are going up, again. Of course it could be that brisket I have been getting lately as the kids are now wanting red meat and brisket is their choice. It's not cheap, unfortunately. I will stick to my fish and chicken, thank you very much.

It is very hot today and I cannot wait for fall weather. I'm so glad September is just around the corner. My little princess is not feeling well so I'm cutting this post a little short. If she naps later maybe I'll post more.

You're IT!!

'kay, I got tagged by Laura Williams of Laura Williams' Musings so I am going to post my pic here; it's a current one as it was taken last month. I am on my recliner in my craft/jewelry-making room.

Now, I'm going to go tag someone.

I'm tagging: Natalie at Mom's Sunshine and Rain

The Wonders of Being a Super Mom

Today I got a call from a mom. I get calls from other moms on a daily basis but this call; well, this call was somewhat special. You see, this particular mom has 4 children. They are 9, 8, 7 years old and the baby is 2 months old. She called to have someone to talk to. Her hubby is getting jealous, it appears, because she's been spending too much time with the kids and not enough with him. I listened carefully and felt her pain. I remember all too well my own days of frustration when my children were very young.

My little princess, when she was a baby, would not miss a meal. She woke up every two, three hours for the first six months of her life. I was working full-time outside the home. It was not good. I just knew that when all was said and done, I'd be certifiable and committed into a mental institution. By the grace of God, I was not. I must admit, I had a nanny so that is what saved my hide.

This poor mother that called me lives in an apartment, they are a single-income family of 6 and have only one vehicle. I listened to her for about an hour. I knew she needed to unload. She was so frustrated with her husband because he won't help with the kids when he's at home because he "works outside the home" so feels he can lay around on weekends and watch her do it all. I felt so bad for this mom I did what I never thought I would do, I offered to go over and watch her kids for free and cook for them so she and her husband could go out. My ears could hardly believe the very words that had just passed my lips.

A call from my teenage-type offspring needing me to go pick him up from orientation at the college he'll be attending brought me back to reality with a jolt. I told him I'd be right there and clicked over and said my goodbyes to the mom call.

An hour later I get a call again from the same mother asking me if I can do it today, like now. I keep my word as often as I give it unless it is impossible for me to do so. On this day it was meant for me to keep my word. I went to the rescue of this young mother in distress. I figured it wouldn't be too bad and I could relieve her from her workload if but for a couple hours.

I arrived at 1pm waited another hour for them to get ready and I did not leave until 5:45 pm when they got back. Everything went fine, the kids, except for the 7 year old were fine. The baby was such a sweetheart although he did not sleep but for 20 minutes because the others, along with my own 9 yr old, were constantly making noise. Of course, I don't know too many kids in that age range that sit still for more than 2 minutes.

The reason I posted this is because it shed new light on how I admire mothers; especially mothers of multiple children. It's all I can do to keep my household and take care of 2 children and they are far apart in age. So much so that when my son is finished with his masters degree my daughter will just be finishing high school. I am a coward. I can not, for the life of me, even attempt to imagine what it would be like to have more than one kid saying "mom, mom, mom" all the time.

I came to the realization that the saying that God will not give you more than you can handle is, in fact, very true. To all of you supermoms out there, you are my heroes. How in God's green earth can you do it all? I so admire you guys. My mind cannot comprehend all that you do for your families. I am seriously in awe of your talents. God Bless you all!

Friday's Frenzy

Doing my usual Friday errand run. I found an interesting and cool blog. I like freebies, as most of you do, I'm sure. So, today I'm posting about a cool mom's calendar that you could win just by entering this contest. Hopefully, you will also enjoy this lady's blog. I do.

I need to get off this computer before the day slips away again and I'm left wondering why I didn't get more done. Hope you guys have a wonderful and blessed day!

Oh What a Day!!!

Got up this morning and got ready to take the teenager-type to get him enrolled in dual credit college courses. Argh! I made the mistake of not eating. I figured I'd be in and out, no problem. Well lo and behold, if you have ever taken a kid to enroll in college courses for the first time, you know what I mean. We got out of there at 3 pm and I hadn't eaten one bite, pounding headache, hot, humid, nasty weather.

We walked all over that campus and looking at the positive side, I got my walking exercise done for the day and then some. Not an easy feat, mind you, when your teenage-type offspring has legs that go on for miles unlike mine that are maybe just above being dwarf-sized.

I am grateful, however, that his college education will be free mostly due to his still being in high school. That's always nice. We will have to pay for his books and all but that's not too bad. He's decided on his courses and school starts Monday.

I was supposed to ship out a package today and didn't have time to do that either. Argh! I wish the days were a little bit longer.

On a good note, I'm happy to say that I have found a friend that I hadn't seen in years. Her name is Laura and her blog is really cool. Please check it out here, you too will like it - I ga-run-tee it.

Holiday preparation

It looks like I'd better get my rear in gear and prepare for the upcoming holiday sales. Yesterday I sat and stared at the bottles of lotion that I'm supposed to be working on and didn't do a thing with them. My mind was on my needing to call the college my teenage-type offspring will be attending this fall and get him in to see the guidance counselor. I've been meaning to do this since Monday and for some reason haven't done it. I remember in the late evening when it's too late to talk to anyone. Today I'm doing that for sure. I need to get my act together.

I also have to tag my jewelry; which hasn't been done either. Just found out too that college classes start next Monday!! We just got the THEA test results for the teenage-type and we are running around like chickens without a head.

As for the holiday sales, I must admit, I do have the post cards I will be mailing out to my customers with the discounts for my jewelry. They are rather pretty and are season appropriate as they have the right coloring. Here's a picture so you can see what they look like.

Well, I better get going and start doing some real namby pamby stuff before the day slips away and I'm once again thinking about things I should have done right around midnight. Have a blessed day!

Too busy to complete tasks

Do you ever get into a position where you started so many things because your intentions were of completing everything but in the end were too busy to finish the task? I get so upset with myself for being halfway through a plethora of activities/crafts that I don't finish. What is it about people that prompts them to initiate something with such zeal only to give up or quickly get bored and focus on yet another task; which more often than not will end up in the pile of abandoned, incomplete, futile attempts at seeing the original plan come to fruition?

I cannot tell you how many times I've started a cross stitch and even the smallest one, which happened to be a butterfly on a 5x5 inch canvas, never was completed. A baby blanket that measured 36x36 that I purchased 10 years ago in anticipation of my little princess' birth. It was beautiful in the picture, Precious Memories and all but it sat in my closet until last year when I finally got rid of it. Knowing full well and with a heavy heart that I would never complete it. Sometimes I get so ticked off at myself for doing that.

There have been times that I look in my craft stash and see product to make candles with including the dye and wonder what happened. Why did I stop and quit what seemed like a passion at the time and I was so enthralled by the possibilities of the task at hand?

I'm impulsive and I want to stop and get off the ever-spinning merry-go-round of indecision and procrastination. Maybe I have ADD. My mind is constantly going on about what I can do that will retrieve me from the daily doldrum of never-ending routine. Just some ramblings of a bored housewife. That's me.

Busy Monday

So many things to do today. I'll have to post later what the outcome is of everything I've got planned.

Waiting on refrigerator repairman, our fridge went out. It's all good though. We need to move out of this neighborhood. Argh, I'm so tired of this place.

Weekend Ramblings II

It's a nice day today. Got a cold front, it's only 92 degrees. Being from the Midwest, I never thought I'd say that. At least it's not in the 3-digits like it has been for the past week or so. I am counting the weeks until we are finally moved out of here.

I miss having real lakes around. I miss having the 4 seasons. Since moving to Texas, Christmas has never been the same. I feel like it's just another day. I can run my business from anywhere in the country, thank God for that.

Finally, the box of containers for my lotion has been brought up to the crafting room. I have to start making more lotion and doing more labels for the bottles. There are so many things to do and not enough hours in the day to do them.

Little princess is going through her allergy spell again. My eyes have been watery and my throat scratchy as well. I wonder if having the cats is aggravating our allergies. All I know is that during this time of year we are miserable from the stuffy nose and itching and scratchy throat.

I've been thinking a lot about the trapped miners in Utah. It breaks my heart that it appears the rescuers are giving up on them. Please pray for the families involved. I just can't imagine the kind of pain they must be going through.

Weekend Ramblings

The kids and I stayed up 'til 2:30 am this morning looking at different types of cats online and since we have a Siamese and a Turkish Van we were looking at how cute their kind of kittens are. Somehow we got onto the subject of Siamese or conjoined twins in humans and my teenage-type offspring showed me a video on Youtube of 17 yr old conjoined twin girls. I was amazed; so much so that I hardly slept last night thinking of the miracles God makes.

I don't see it as weird I see it as an amazing work of God. These girls are blessed beyond measure! You can see their youtube video here. You will be amazed. I know I was.

I have to make a run to the store today. Argh, it's Saturday and I hate going to the grocery store on weekends so I better get so I'm able to get in an out quickly. I have to come back and finish doing the jewelry tags.

I'm buying lots of fish as that will be a big part of my new healthier eating plan. I love fish and chicken. Not together, you know. I still have plenty of veggies in the freezer since I'm the only person in the house that actually eats them.

Since I started doing the crunches I feel better and have more energy. I started doing 100 crunches a day. I need to add walking on my glider - or is that considered gliding? Either way, I'm starting at a mile per day and then I'll work my way up to 3 and then 5. I've done it before, got lazy, stopped and now I need to do it again.

Please don't forget to pray for the lost miners in Utah. Lift their families up in prayer that the good Lord will give them the peace they need to deal with this terrible tragedy. God bless you guys.

Scheduling jewelry shows

I've decided to get off my duff and start calling up potential jewelry show hosts. I've come to the conclusion that nobody will come to my door and buy the stuff from me. I must go out there and get the customers. I've been playing lazy all summer and it's enough to drive me insane. I've been cooped up, first because the rain wouldn't let up, then because it was too hot. This is Texas and unfortunately I will not see 70 degree days until maybe in November; which will be too late to the get the bulk of the Christmas sales.

Next week I will be going to a local bank where I was invited to go and take my jewelry to sell to the ladies that work there. I have to tag a lot of my jewelry so I need to get that going tonight. It is Friday, I have done nothing all week but moaned and complained about the heat. Since Mr. Sir is stubborn and doesn't seem to make an effort to get our family out of this hell-hole that is Texas, I need to make the best of it.

My rings are easy to carry and are top sellers so I will probably take a couple trays each of the rings, bracelets, necklaces and about 100 pairs of earrings. I won't take everything as it will probably overwhelm the customers.

Favorite Dishes

I've always been one that loves to eat. Although I can't eat a lot of things with red meat in them cuz red meat truly gags me. Every once in a while I'll have a plain bacon cheeseburger from Braums.

My favorite food is a plate full of veggies. I also love veggie pizza. I am going to be joining weight watchers pretty soon because I have to lose some weight. At my age I know that it isn't wise to be overweight when I have heart disease and diabetes in my family.

I just got my order of some really cool books I ordered a couple weeks ago. Yeah, they were delivered by Pony Express. What can I say, they were sent via media mail and for cheap so I can't complain too much.

In that order I got this really cool cookbook called "Off the Shelf Cooking." Last night I was flipping through the pages and was pleasantly surprised that it had some really good recipes that were rather easy to make. I like easy. I'm lazy or as my teenage-type offspring refers to as "conserving energy." Hmmm, I like that term better.

In the next few days I will be posting some of my favorite recipes from that book. There are quite a bit that are healthy and those are the ones I will share with you guys. I will also be posting my own recipe for lasagna as I promised my dear friend I would dig it up and post it on here.

If you won the lottery....

What would you do with a multi-million dollar lottery jackpot win? If you are working, would you quit immediately? Would you travel? Buy a new house? New car? What would you do?

Let's see, if I won the lottery I would do these things:

I would open a women's shelter that would house women and their children. They would learn about God and His will in our lives. They would receive training so as to be able to have good marketable job skills. We would have a church service on the premises, kind of like a little chapel. In a nutshell that's what I would do. I, however, have all the plans ready. Step by step I even know what kinds of fundraisers to have and all. What it might look like and how many it will sleep comfortably. I know it's a long shot but who knows, maybe some day.

If I were blessed enough to have time after all the work that one of those places entails, I would travel. My dream is to go to Tuscany. I would buy a house out in the country, nothing fancy just room enough for a couple of horses there.

That is what I would do if I won the lottery. Of course, I have to play before I can win.

Customer Service Rant

I have a sewing machine that was not doing what it was supposed to do - sew. It was sitting in my hallway since the heavy rains because it seemed every time I was going to drop it off at Hancock Frabrics to have it fixed, it would rain. Not just sprinkling or even normal raining rain. It was a deluge where I couldn't see well enough to drive. Twice I turned around because of the rain. I figured I would leave it until another time. Well, two weeks ago, another time came.

Ready to get this disobedient piece of machinery to the proper technician, I put it in my car and drove to Hancock Fabrics. Once there, I stood at the counter for what seemed like hours. Finally, I decided I better go looking for someone. I could hear the chatter of some ladies in the sewing department so I went there and felt like I was intruding. The lady asked me what I needed I told her my dilemma. She told me to go to the front and someone would help me. I told her nobody was there she told me, "well, someone will be there."

Not wanting to start trouble or seem rude, I walked back to the front cash register and the lady saw me and walked to get another one to help me. The second lady was a more mature lady. Grouchy as all get go. I told her what I needed, she shoved a piece of paper towards me and told me to fill it out. When I was done she told me to "bring a cart, I need something to put it in." Figuring she's old and all I did as she asked. My mom always told me to mind and respect my elders. I asked her if there was anything else, what the fee would be and when would it be ready. She grunted in a ticked off mood that it was all that was needed. Didn't know how much it would be and that I would get a call before any work was done on it and another to go pick it up when ready. She then proceeded to leave me standing there. No thank you, nothing. She just walked away. I left the store feeling perplexed and wondering if I missed something.

In the last week or so I've been wondering why they haven't yet called me. Mr. Sir tells me to call them. I call and I'm told that nobody gets a call; that the regular fee for a checkup on a machine is $62.50 and that the woman should have told me when I dropped it off. I told her the woman had been rather rude and had not answered any of my questions. She acted like it was the norm. I thanked her and hung up.

This only proves that some people, no matter their age, can be rude as can be. Mr. Sir told me to just leave it there. Not to pick it up and just buy a new one. It's not like I'm a professional seamstress and that's a Serger that cost hundreds of dollars. It was given to me for free.

I can't sew. I mean I can do simple stuff like pot holders and curtains and work from patterns but nothing fancy. A couple years ago I bought this pattern for a summer dress for my little princess. If I don't get started on it pretty soon I am afraid she will have grown out of it before I even make it.

One thing's for sure; I'll not go back to Hancock Fabrics. I would rather go 15 miles to the Joanns in the next town over. I'm sure they will be more than happy to take my money and treat me better.

Exes and the Latino culture

Do you ever think about whatever happened to a significant other from your past? Do you keep in touch with them at all? I always wonder but I don't keep in touch with any of them.

I've always wondered about those people that do. Is it to keep the doors of opportunity open just in case your current relationship doesn't work out? Was it because that was your one true love? I think a lot about mine at times and have even had dreams about him. He always looks the same, aren't dreams wonderful, he looks happy. Oh, my husband knows about him. I've told him before that nobody will take his place in my heart. Not him, not anybody.

Ben was 6' 2" tall and he was gorgeous. I still love him. I'll never stop loving him. Things just didn't work out between us so I left him; all the way up in New Jersey, where I lived at the time. He worshipped the ground I walked on. When I think back to that time I guess I just wasn't ready to put up with him and his brother who constantly thought he had to be around me and Ben. Being that Ben was older than him Ben thought he had to take care of him. Yeah, buddy if the dude can make a grand a week and that was 20 years ago, I think he can take care of himself pretty good.

I have a Latino background but I don't live with my in-laws nor do my family members share a home with me. I hate that about that culture. Why do they all have to live in a single house together? I'm sorry but that's just tacky. I like my privacy, thank you very much. Ben's brother had the nasty habit of coming into mine and Ben's bedroom without knocking. Most of the time he would catch me undressing for bed or first thing in the morning. Argh, I couldn't stand that guy!

You know what's funny is I learned through careful investigation (snooping really) that my beloved Ben has gotten married and sure enough, his younger brother lives with them now. The man is pushing 40!! Get a life already. I feel for Ben's poor wife.

Some people you just can't help. I'm glad I didn't stay with Ben but I still love him. He can't help it he's Latino. Now, to get that sour taste out of my thoughts...hee hee, I'm going to go do some designing here.

Unwanted and Uninvited visitors

Today was a lovely day until Mr. Sir calls me from the dealership, where he went to get the oil change done on our car, to tell me his brother is out front waiting. Now, why on God's green earth would someone come visit without an invitation or worse without even calling ahead of time to tell you they are coming over.

I don't like company intruding in my life without an invitation. That's just plain rude. I told Mr. Sir I didn't like that. He can deal with him, it's his family and if there is a major pet peeve of mine it is uninvited, unannounced and unwanted guests. The house is a mess, it is Saturday, I have more important things to do.

Right now I am sitting in the midst of boxes upon boxes of silver and gold and all kinds of sparkly, blingy components for jewelry-making. I will not just up and leave my little treasures to entertain his brother, I don't care that he's nice and has pretty green eyes. Especially looking a mess, no makeup, a sundress and bare feet. It doesn't help either that his family likes to visit for the whole day.

I could go head to head with their rudeness and take the little princess with me to our favorite place, the jewelry supplier. I promise to remember my 100/day spending limit. It is 100 degrees today with an even higher heat index. Not so sure I want to drive in the congested Dallas freeways to avoid UNWANTED, UNINVITED in-laws.

Maybe I'll just resort to making more of these and calm down a little bit. I love making the stuff.

Housing Market

According to the latest news, the housing market is suffering from a crushing blow to the economy. The Dow was down a second record loss for this year yesterday. Investors are fearing the slump and thus jumping off the boat of investing dreams. Hmmm, I again will complain that if our property taxes are up and the real estate market is down; well, that just doesn't add up. Again, I am praising the Lord that we even have a place to live in and a comfortable one at that.

What never ceases to amaze me is those people that get into a big fancy house with an ARM loan. I think they call it that because little do those poor souls know that it really will cost them an arm and sometimes even a leg. When the time comes that the rate is adjusted and the mortgage payments are astronomical and impossible to pay for the homeowners find themselves trapped. There are so many homes in foreclosure in the state of Texas that now there is a phone number that families in this situation can call to get help making the mortgage payments. It's a vicious cycle.

Went to the bank and guess what I got?

A jewelry show booking! I was signing some financial documents when the lady asked me what I did while I homeschooled the kids. I told her about my jewelry business, fished out a business card from my wallet and voila; she said, come and bring your stuff. I asked her if it would be ok with her boss she said the boss would buy some too. She stated they have a lot of people come in there selling all kinds of stuff.

So, it looks like, in looking out for others and praying for their blessing; I've got the best blessing of all...business growth. Amazing what God can do when we are not looking, huh? I need to get out more and talk to more people. It's just that it is so dashgum hot out there!

I'm making more jewelry tomorrow. It relaxes me and takes me to a wonderfully colorful world of gemstones and silver and gold, oh my! Yeah, I'm a nut, but I'm a friendly nut. I also have the best marketing tool a person could possibly have, faith in God.

If you would like to join our prayer circle...I say our but it's really Mrs. N's prayer circle. She is a great and awesome woman. I'm glad I found her when I did. Anyway, if you want to be included please contact her here and she will make sure your name is added. Our Namby Pamby Prayer Princess will see to it that no one is left behind. I guarantee you will see a big change in your circumstances, whatever they may be.

God bless!

Busy Busy Busy

I've been so busy lately I haven't even had a chance to blog. Today I made some necklaces and I am attaching the pics here for your viewing pleasure.

Little princess has been going into the kiddie pool for the past 3 days as it seems the dog days of summer are finally here. It's been 100 degrees out there. I've stayed indoors as much as possible. I've refrained from using the oven due to the heat. I still cooked but not in the oven. That's a shame because I love baking. I love staying cool more, however.

It appears that the good Lord is working wonders in our prayer circle that my dearest friend, N started. N, you are a godsend. Your faith and strength never ceases to amaze me. God is certainly using you, my namby pamby friend. I can almost see Him smiling at you as He says 'well done, good and faithful servant. '

Blog Spamming

In the last couple weeks or so I've had a crazy woman spamming my blog! I figured she must've been desperate the first couple times she did this but then she hit me again. I deleted all her posts. I was like, come on, lady; if you have to resort to spamming blogs you are sorely in need of a hobby.

I won't name her or her silly blog or the crazy link she spammed me with because that would only add fuel to the fire. I have since decided to moderate any comments to my blog. The rest of you can feel free to comment as I will post anybody's comment that isn't some silly spam junk.

Some people have nothing better to do. Had she been remotely polite I would've gladly posted her link on here. I don't have a problem with that. To just blatantly lie in a comment and just plunk down her link...well, esa es una idiota sin verguenza. Caramba, como hay gente ignorante. Right? I knew you'd agree with me on that one.

Greatwide hauls for "big names"

I read this article in the business section of the Dallas Morning News about how well this company treats its drivers. How they go the extra mile (no pun intended) to keep their owner operators happy so they don't leave. How they offer this wonderful health insurance program that is unprecedented in the field. Amazing how executives for any given corporation like to toot their own horn like that. What I find truly amazing is that a newspaper would print such one-sided information.

Do they even check the validity of the claims made by the subject in question? Are the editors so desperate for stories that they will print anything that is put before them? The reason I ask is because I know someone that drives for this company. The picture isn't as pretty as these executives try to paint it. Their health benefits are mediocre at best. You can get better health insurance going directly through any other avenue, including the internet.

Trucking isn't for everyone, I understand that. In the article it states that the trade has a lot of baby boomers retiring and nobody left to fill their driving places. Yes, the meal ticket for these conglomerates behind the trucking industry is running as low as the local food bank supply.

The trucking industry concerns each and every one of us or should - because we all benefit from the fruits of their labor. Look around you, every single thing you use every day was delivered by a truck driver. Maybe not to your place of residence, no - nevertheless, if it weren't for truck drivers how would you have what you have?

Food, clothing, vehicles, paper products, you name it. All delivered by the trucking/shipping industry. If we are so dependent on their services why are so many companies treating their drivers as if they are 2nd class citizens? Truck drivers in general don't get a lot of respect. Granted, some are slobs, but not all. What's funny about that term is that it could apply to many "white-collar" workers. There is slime in every field. Just look at our politicians. Look at the Enrons of the business world. Look at the Catholic church and some of its priests' problems with pedophilia - gasp!

Don't judge a person by their title, right? I mean, do you know how much money a truck driver makes? Owner operators make a six figure income annually. They work hard for that money. Greatwide needs to put more effort into getting their drivers better benefits packages, easier loans for those that want to become owner operators but cannot afford it at the beginning. How can a person become an owner operator without their own truck? Why not facilitate this and make it easier on everyone involved.

Maybe if the big boys of trucking like Schneider, JB Hunt, Swift, Stevens Transport and Prime would lead by example trucking wouldn't be a dying career. Greatwide boasts that they haul for big names like Wal-Mart, Tyson, Target, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, etc. Those are big names, yes, but what good does it do to have these big names as customers? When 85 percent of their drivers are owner operators and can take their wheels with them when they leave for better opportunities, what then? Those 'big' names won't wait around for anybody. They'll go elsewhere to get their loads delivered. I guarantee it. Just ask them what happened when the dispatchers were sorely lacking organizational ability and prioritization skills - Wally World took back some of their delivery routes. Hit them right where it hurt; in their pockets.

There is a lot at stake should a group of these drivers decide to "drive" to greener pastures. Drivers talk and other drivers listen. With the opportunities out there and the dire shortage of drivers as was mentioned in the article, you would think that the powers that be at Greatwide, as well as the other big boy trucking companies would get their act together. You'd think they'd have a clue. They should think about either getting new management or sizing up their benefits and putting themselves in the drivers seat for a change. After all, they have college degrees, right? They should use that education to actually make a difference instead of tooting their own horn.