The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly

So last night, I get home from work, we do a little homework and then back over to the school, for Make and Take Night. They do this twice a year, and it's always fun. My kid's go to Edgewood Primary School and what Make and Take Night is, some of the teachers come back and read a book to the students, and what they do is pick one book they want to hear and then go with that teacher.

So last night Maeve wants to hear her First Grade Teacher, Mrs. Richardson, read "The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed the Fly". What was neat is that her teacher gave us some great background information. Like, the story first appeared in the 1940s in the midwest, no one knows the original author. A number of versions have appeared since, including versions that completely change the theme. An example: "The Little Old Lady who swallowed a Pie" Thanksgiving themed, and "The Little Old Lady who Swallowed the Snow" Christmas Themed, and then there is "The Little Old Lady who Swallowed a Bat" Halloween Themed.

The great part about the Make and Take night is that they get to hear the story read, then they make a craft centered around the book, then they get to take the craft and a copy of the book home with them! Maeve got home and read the book to her baby sister at least twice before bed last night! That's enough to do any mommy proud.
This picture wasn't from last night, but this is of Maeve reading a story to her little sister, Molly. Last night was not the first time that she has read a story to her sister, in fact since she learned to read she has done it alot, but it still makes me proud to hear her reading to her sister.

Online Casino's

So you like to gamble but don't live anywhere close to a casino? Your just bored online today and decided to pass the time with some slots? Whatever the reason, you've decided that your going to visit an online casino. Now for the million dollar question, where? How do you fine the best online casino for your money? What do other players think of it?


Your questions have been answered. Pro360.com reviews online casinos and gives you all the answers you could ever want. Which casino's accept US players, which don't. Finding your answers at Pro360.com is easy, well thought out and laid out in a nice easy to use chart. They even have ratings by the editor's and seperate ratings from players, so if an online casino ranks high among the editor's, you can still check out what actual players think about it, because we know that the two are not always the same. They also have information on certifications and max bonus' that they have paid out.



Whether you are a veteran gambler just looking for a new place to play, or a rookie that is just looking to pass some time, this Pro360.com is the place to check out first. It will give you the information you need to make a good choice when you decide to gamble online.



See you there!

Project Runaway, Part One of the Finale

So Project Runway is one of my guilty pleasures. I did not watch Season One, but have seen Seasons Two, Three and now Four. I love it!

Last night was the first part of the season finale, and if you haven't seen it and don't want to know what happens, stop reading right now and move on to another blog, because I am going to talk about last night and my thoughts.

So this year, there was a "walk-off" between two designers, Rami and Chris. They each made full collections for fashion Week, but thy showed three to the judges and then only one actually made it to be judged at Fashion Week. Now if you know anything about this, you know that the final five all actually showed collections at fashion Week, because fashion Week actually occured before the shows were shown, and at the point when Fashion Week occured there were still five contestants, so they all showed to prevent spoilers. You know, I kinda like that, but like it or not, even the two that aren't being judged at Fashion Week, showed and got some exposure, which I am all for.

So we got to see Tim visit all four see where they were at. I loved the pictures of Chirs's collection, although we never got to see many of the actually garments. At Rami's we didn't really see the drawings but the actually garments and I am so looking forward to seeing more of them. At Jillian's we saw alot of the garments and they seemed to be stuck in that awesome jacket line. I mean she worked the one challenge and won with that jacket and she just keeps going back to it on every challenge since (expect the Diva's). Then there is Christian, and all I will say is what was he thinking with those feather pants!

Okay, so I know so many people like Christian, but the kid is 21 and so cocky and self-assured, I just want to spank him (as a mom), I keep thinking if I heard my kids acting that way i would ground them! UGH! What must his poor mother be thinking seeing this! I am sorry, he is good, but he needs to learn a little humality and reserve. Personally, I think he needsto be taken down a peg or two!

I really would have rather seen Jillian, Rami and Chris at Fashion Week, than Christian, but I don't get a vote. So they do the walk off, and I love both collections. Rami actually has a draped dress, which Nina has ragged on him all season about, and that one ended up being her favorite! UGH! Make up your mind! I loved his jacket. Then there was Chris! I loved it!! I loved the first look, and before you complain about human hair as the fringe, they all thought it was goat hair before he told them, it's been done! It looked great! I liked all three of the things he showed, and there is nothing I can find to say bad about them. But, like I said before I don't get to vote, so Chris is out and Rami is in.

I am looking forward to seeing Rami's full collection, kinda looking forward to Jillians, and well, Christian is just Christian, I suffer through him if I have to. Next week if the final, and then the next week......TOP CHEF! Okay, that is another guilty pleasure of mine! I love Top Chef!!! Thought it has been great, although I still think Dale should have beat ung last season, but that is another blog!

BloggerWave

bloggerwave

So you decided to write a blog, now what do you do with it? Well, you know you can use it to make money, right?
There are a number of blogging companies out there, but the newest company out there to help you in this respect is BloggerWave. They are based in Europe, but they accept bloggers from all over. Right now their goal is to be the biggest advertising media for blogs in Europe. Pretty good goal, and that means that the more they grow, the more chances there will be for bloggers like you to make money with them.

So you want to make money on your blog? Why not try the new guys, get in on the ground level and watch them grow, all while growing your own blog and your bank account too!

Lifetime Movie - Denise Richards

So I'm flipping through the channels last night and I come across this Lifetime channel movie called I do (and I don't). What struck my fancy? Dean Cain.

So from what I can tell, it is about a woman, Lauren (played by Denise Richards) and a guy play by Dean Cain. The woman is a wedding planner and Dean is the grooms brothers, and there is an ex-husband and some hanky-panky between the bride to be and the other brother of the groom, although the wedding planner doesn't know there is another brother and thinks it's the guy see likes, anyway, it's kinda cute.

As much as I love to look at Dean Cain, I couldn't watch more than ten minutes of it. Why you ask? Denise Richards. Sorry, but I have never really liked her. Not from the first time I heard about her before she married Charlie Sheen, then thay whole thing made me like her even less, and then the Heather Locklear-Richie Samboa triangle destroyed what little respect I had for her. She has just always struck me as a gold-digger. Sorry, to those of you who like her, I just don't.

As far as her acting goes, well, let's just say the scene I watched she was drunk and that seemed almost believable. Her hair was distracting to me the whole time, I just wanted to climb through the tv and brush it! And that is what it looks like to me everytime I see her, that it's stringy and needs a good shampoo and brushing.

So, if you can get past Denise Richards, altough I couldn't, then "I do (and I don't)" might be a decent enough movie on Lifetime to watch. At least you would be able to watch Dean Cain for the duration of the movie!

Knit Fast, Die Young

Knit Fast, Die Young
by: Mary Kruger
A Knitting Mystery

This is the second book in Mary Kruger's Knitting Series. The first book was "Died in the Wool", and I could have sworn that I have read it, because I had the second sitting at home to read, but after reading this book, I can tell you that I do not remember reading it at all.

The main charachter is Ariadne Evans, and yes I have no idea how to pronounce the name. I kept wanting to call her Adrianne the whole time. The other big charachter in the book is the detective, Josh Pierce, with whom we see Ariadne developing a relationship with.
Usually in these mystery series the main charachter gets thrown into a murde and investigates herself to the ire of the police, but in this case we actually see the detective turning to her for informaion and encouraging her sleuthing in the case, which is a big change from what I am used to in the books.

It was actually a good read, and there are two knitting patterns in the back of the book that are good. It was fun to read, but it really didn't dive into knitting as much as another Knitting Mystery Series I have read did. The other had alot more details about knitting, patterns and information about yarns and the whole culture in general of crafting, this was set in a knitting environment, but it could just as easily be set anywhere else with any other group, there was nothing that made it knitting specfic, to me.

All in all, I would recommend it to a friend for a light easy read on a snowy winter day.

Here is a link to the post where I listed this series and what information i had on it at the time. http://atammcreation.blogspot.com/2007/12/knitting-mystery.html

Chirstian Politcal Party

Okay, normally I do not talk about politics and religion. I am more of the strong silent type, I prefer to have my actions do the talking for me. But I recently heard something that set my blood bubbling....

"Oh, well if your Christian then you have to be a Republician."

Okay now, you have to know that I was raised by my Dad, who is a life-long Independent to believe that you vote based on the person, what they stand for and what they are going to do, not on a party. I have always believed that, and I will vote for a person I believe can do the job reguardless of the political party they are listed under.

What makes me mad about that comment is that for some misguided reason, people seem to think Christianity and Repbulicians go hand in hand, and I can't for the life of me understand that. Okay, well the Republician do pander to the Christian community every election and they do tend to fall on the more christian side of abortion, but that is about it.
Think about it, the Bible talks about loving our neighbors and helping those in need. Who does that sound like to you? Think about it! I mean, when you go back in history and look at all the programs to help those in need, who started them (Democrats) and who cut funding (Republicians) and who reinstated funding (Democrats). If you really want to think about the higher calling of Christ and helping those around you then you have to side with the Democrats.

Now I will be the first to tell you that I think neither party complete enspouses Christian views, but when it comes down to it, quietly and without fanfare, some of the Democrats have more Christian values than alot of the Republicians that are out in front claiming to be Christians.

Moral of the story....it's not about the party! It's about the views and the ideals and what someone will do. It's not about the party, it's about the person and if your really take the time to look into the person, and not just believe every little story you find on the internet, then I think you have to side with your own values. Please, this year, vote with your heart, your conscience and your values and not with some policital label!

Blog Traffic

You know, I go to all this trouble to write a blog, to talk about family and my business, and my biggest question? Is anyone even reading it?

So I did what any first-timer, so someone new to the game would do. I signed up at one of those surf for traffic sites. This one happened to be TopSurfer, and the lure was that while I was surfing to get traffic to my website, I could earn money. So I am frantically surfing to make my $10 to get paid for them, but at the same time I am thinking it is not doing any good. Is anyone even seeing my blog? What about my storefront sites, which is more important to me right now anyway? I don't think so! I am so frustrated! I just want to find a good and honest way to get people to see my blog and my store front and to really take the time to look and comment if not buy.

So what am I to do? I don't know, but today when reading another blog (yes I surf blogs to get ideas) someone mentioned Blog Explosion, and so I am in the process of checking them out. It seems more tailored to blogs than those traffic surfing sites, so I hope this works better, but that remains to be seen.

Thanks for reading!

My interview

At Home Resources did a short little interview with me on my business and how it started.

You can check it out at the At Home Resources blog
http://athomeresources.blogspot.com/

Thanks for taking the time to check it out!~

Cervical Cancer

So tax season is under way, and of course that means that it is busy here at work, which in turn means that it is harder for me to get into my blog and be able to post everyday, which I hate! I would rather be blogging!

Today, one of the girls at work, and to remind you I work in a small office with only three other girls and our boss. Anyway, she had a doctor appointment this morning. Now a little background, they called her last week to tell her that her yearly pap came back abnormal and so she was going back in today. We talked about it and really thought, you know this happens alot, they get abnormal results and it's nothing.
When she walked in the building, I knew, she went straight into our boss's office and talked to him. I could see the tears when she walked out. Turns out it was not your average re-test kind of thing. She has cervical cancer. The pap looked pretty bad, but the doctor didn't think it looked that bad when she was looking at her today. She goes back next week and they will determine how far and how bad it is and then the course of action.

She is only 28 years old. She recently got engaged to a wonderful Christian man after a rough first marriage, and she only found him after coming back to the church and recommitting to God. They were wanting to start a family together in a few years. She has a four-year old daughter. This is a big shock to them, and I think I am reeling too. I can't believe it is happening to her.
I just ask that you keep her and her family in your prayers, because we all know what the power of prayer can do! Miracles!

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies are here! Well, almost!

I pick up our troops order today at 2:30pm....
I will be sorting tonight and calling parents of Troop 441 on Friday to arrange delivery of your daughters orders.

First Cookie Booth:
Sunday February 10th from 2pm - 4 pm
Marsh on West Third Street - Highland Village

Didn't get your cookies ordered before now, let me know. My girls would be happy to help you out with that, just comment or email me and I will get you in touch with a girl scout.

Thanks to all who order cookies, this is the big fundraiser for the girls, and the money is what pays for them to go on trips and do activities in their troops, so thank you!

Car Prices at it's best

So you're thinking about a new car, the old one lost it's luster, on it's last leg, or well, it's just the blues of winter and a new car sounds good.

What about Car Prices? Visit CarsBlvd.com and see what they have got for you in the way of prices. It works kind like Lending Tree, you put in what kind of car you want and you'll get quotes from at least two different places, so you can pick the best option.

Now who wouldn't like that?! We shop for loan quotes, the best loan rates. we shop for insurance quotes, the best rates. So why not shop for car quotes? Makes sense to me!

Let me know how it goes! I don't think I'm ready to trade in my beloved Durango, but hubby's car really needs replaced! I might just see you there!

Superbowl Thoughts

Yeah, I know. I am going to have to change that widget on the sidebar!

So did you watch the Superbowl? Only most of the country did! The most watched Superbowl in a long, long time, and why? If you were like me and my family you were watching to hope and pray that a miracle would happen and that the Gaints would win! And low and behold, what happened? The Gaints won!

Now, I could go on and on about the game, the poor play of Tom Brady, the awesome play of the Gaints defensive line, the surburb play of Eli Manning, but you all know that, you have seen the game.

So I will say two things:
ONE:
Superbowl 41 - MVP Peyton Manning
Superbowl 42 - MVP Eli Manning
****can you all stop saying bad things about them now? They are awesome quarterbacks, coming from a wonderful parentage, just let it go...the boys are GOOD!!

TWO:
Cheaters never win, and winners never cheat.

Enough said! Thanks!

Bloggy Giveaway Winner

Thank you all for entering my Bloggy Giveaway!

I was surprised by all the entries! WOW! Thank you.

Thanks to the wonderful random number generator and we have a winner.....

lisalmg said...
I don't own any really cute socks so I would love to win this pair! Your sock are so cute! Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! (:

Qtpies7 said...
beaded socks are so fun! I have a couple of young girls who would love some new fancy socks!

Due to the numbers of entries, I decided to draw two winners, which I have quoted their comments above. I have also sent emails to both winners.
If by some strange twist one or both of the winners do not respond to me withing three days, then I will draw a new winner. I would love for you to have these in time for Valentine's Day.

Thank you again for all the entries.

What can your Blog do for you?

You know, we all blog for different reasons, some to share knowledge, some to release thoughts and feelings, some to share things with family and friends, still others to promote a business. Some are combinations of all of these and others are to earn money. Yep, I said get paid to blog.

Can you imagine getting paid for blogging? Well, it happens. There are a number of compaines out there that advertise they will pay you to blog, but like anything you have to do the reseach on them. One of those advertise on blogs companies is Smorty.

I joined Smorty as a way to get blog advertising, but my motive for it was to get money to support my business, and to give me extra funds to do more advertising for my business. The thing I worried about was the things that I might be able to blog about. What I have found with Smorty is that I am able to choose things that relate to my blog, things that I am really interested in. I mean, I wouldn't want to blog about just anything for the money, it needs to be something I am interested in and that I can give a real and honest opnion about, beacuse ifI am not interested in it then how can I give you an honesty opinon, and that is what Smorty is all about.

It's easy to join, a number of different topics to blog about, and the pay is good. So, if you have a blog, want a little extra income, and want topics that relate to your blog, then Smorty is the way to go. I've got a link to them on my side bar, and the reason I put that there is because I like them, I have enjoyed what I have been asked to talk about and I want to share it with you.

This is still my blog, and the opinons are all mine and so what I think about something is based on my experience, but since I have this blog, it's a great way to share my experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly. Right now, for me, Smorty is part of the good.

GodParents

When I was growing up, everyone I knew had GodParents and they all knew who they were and for the most part, why they had them.

By the time we had kids, it seems like the tradition of GodParents had passed by and no one was doing that anymore.

I love family, and being connected to family is important to me, so we gave each of our three kids GodParents, all from within the family.

This is our oldest, Tiernan, and when he was born neither of my brothers nor Brad's brother was married, and we knew that we wanted a married couple in the family, so we decided on my cousin Ruth and her husband Dale. Her youngest daughter was born on July 27, and Tiernan was born September 26 of that year, so it seemed right.

Maeve was our second and first little girl, and we weren't sure but thought it would be best to go with someone on Brad's side of the family this time. This is his cousin Tim and his wife Tara. We went to their wedding when Tiernan was only one month old. Then to tie us all together even more, the year I had Molly, Tim and Tara had Aiden in January and Molly was born in March. We like to keep all the kids close together!

This is our youngest Molly, and she was born on March 10th. She is sitting with my oldest brother Gary and his wife Jeanel. Jeanel's birthday just happened to be March 9th! We asked my brother and sister-in-law to be Molly's GodParents, and it just seemed right with the birthdays.

I know we may be a little strange to some of you, but keeping the family together is important, and GodParents are anotherway that we work to do that.

Driving Traffic to my Blog

So you know that without traffic coming to the blog, no one will know about "a TAMM creation", or be able to find the items and purchase them. So to that end, I have been researching traffic sites.

Buzzfuse is a different type of traffic/marketing site. It is not one of those surf to earn traffic places. Although I am using those right now, the only things I ever see on them are those get-rich-quick things and not real store or product sites. So I doubt that the people that are seeing my blog and storefronts from those are the type of people who will buy, but they are free and right now that is important.

Buzzfuse allows me to submit a blog post and they market it. I went ahead and signed up for their FREE membership level, they also have paid levels, but right now that is not an option, and although I like the questionaire that you can attach that goes to those who see the post, I just am not in the position to buy that right now. Right now, it is marketing the post to people I already know, and so I am not sure how that works. I need to look at it a little better, because I need to figure out how and when they will market it to people I don't know.

But, all in all, I think that it might be a great way to drive traffic to my blog, espically if I can get friends to agree to see the blogs, and then they tell others and so on and so on, and then maybe I can even get more people to subscribe to the blog so that more people will see it. Not sure how it is all going to work, but I can tell you this, I have nothing to lose but to try!

a TAMM creation

You know, I have tried to figure out what to do with my business for the past few days. I love what I do and I want to grow it more to allow me more time to be home with the kids.

I have some things listed on two storefront sites:
http://www.atammcreation.etsy.com/
http://www.homegrownmarket.com/michellelr

Both sites are for handcrafted items, so it will bring me the people who want handcrafted items, but will it bring me the traffic needed to make it a profitably business?

I am looking at my own website, but then that brings the whole idea of marketing and getting people to look at it. I can't seem to get good traffic to this blog, how will I get good traffic to the store?

I guess my next step is to look into traffic and marketing plans. I have to get the name and product line out to the public and get them noticed!
Thanks for listening!!