Notes from "a TAMM creation"

Balancing Act...

2010-06-02T11:40:00.000-04:00

The issues with blogging when you are a full-time mom to three active kids is time! When do I have time to sit down and type out a blog entry?

I know, there are those out there that would block out some time on the weekend and write four or five entries and then just schedule them to post throughout the week. I have never done that. I take that back. I had one post that I wanted to show up on a birthday, and I scheduled it to post that day, but that was one time. I just don't like the idea of blogging ahead and then scheduling because I am sure I would forget to go back when those were done and do more.

I love the idea of writing daily as things come to me, but the time to do that is little and far between! It seems like something is going on every night of the week, and after school and during the day, and just anytime you could think of!

Now, I am not complaining, because you know that I love my kids, and they are so important to me. I wouldn't want to deprive them of any of the things they are doing that takes up my time, it is just a matter of craving out a little bit of "mommy" time somewhere in the day. At least I was able to crave a little out today...now off to pick Maeve up from school early so she can go to Peter Pan practice, then a kindergarten celebration tonight for Molly after school.

2010-05-27T13:47:00.000-04:00

We have an older home with the small closets, so twice a year I have to do the clothing switch. Since I have been home recovering, I have been working on it, but just a little at a time.

I started in Tiernan's room, because well, being a boy he had the least to switch, in fact I found there was nothing to switch, but I did clean out the old clothes that no longer fit him and got things looking nice in his room.

I then moved to the girls room. This takes some time. I had to go through everything, getting rid of what no longer fit, passing things down from Maeve to Molly, pulling the summer stuff from last year out of storage and seeing what fit who this year, then putting the jeans, sweaters and other winter wear away, but only stuff that fit. It took me awhile, but I have that looking good. The girls have some pants put aways for the fall, and they have some summer clothes, although Molly has more because Maeve outgrew her stuff and passed it down to Molly, now I have to find new stuff for Maeve.

What is funny is that it feels weird to go to the store and only buy for one kid. I used to think that I needed to bring home equal amounts for each child, but I now realize that they grew at different rates, and this is a good thing. Right now I only have to get stuff for Maeve, and then if a few weeks or months I'll need to get for another. This breaks up the cost of clothing the kids nicely, and makes it easier on the budget.

Today I worked on my room. That is probably the biggest undertaking! I have work clothes, play clothes and church clothes, and so I had to go through the winter stuff, and anything that I did not wear this past year went into the Goodwill pile. I am not going to keep holding onto stuff, just because I think I might wear it, or something. I got all my winter stuff packed away and the summer stuff out, and that feels so good.

Over all, while I have been doing this bi-annual clothing switch, I have taken five garbage bags of stuff to Goodwill already and I have another two bags to go next trip. That is seven bags altogether. I know, I can hear you all yelling "yard sale" but you know what? I tried that last year, and I ended up with more stuff left over than I had to begin with! How is that you ask? Well, when my mother-in-law found out I was having the sale, she brought over a boat load of stuff, so when the sale was over, I had more stuff than I started with, and it all stayed at my house. Yep, everything my mother-in-law brought over that didn't sell, all got left in my basement! Not doing it again! It was way too much work for way too little reward, I'll just take it to Goodwill and write it off on taxes next year.

HGTV Green Home Sweepstakes

2010-05-25T09:24:00.000-04:00

Anyone else love HGTV as much as I do? If the tv is on, and the kids aren't in front of it that is, I have either HGTV or DIY on. If you watch then you know that through June 4th you can register to win the HGTV Green Home.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv-green-home-2010-tour/package/index.html

That is the link to a tour of the home. Now, I would LOVE to win a Green Home, the solar panels are probably my favorite. I have wanted solar panels on a house for years now! And so of course I have entered, but you know the likelihood that I win is slim to none, which is probably a good thing.
I was looking at the house yesterday, and I realized that for this nice big home, it only has TWO bedrooms. Granted that one is a hugh master suite, but that only leaves one other bedroom, listed on the tour as the kids bedroom. Well I can tell you right now that my three kids would refuse to have to share one bedroom, and who would want them to!
You would think, that for such a large house, and all the things they are talking about in the home, it would have more than two bedrroms. Although there is a sitting room off the upstairs that I guess could beturned into a third bedroom if you needed it to be.

Oh well, it's fun to enter the contests, and fun to dream about a luxury green home, but it just wouldn't fit my family, so time to come back to reality and get on with the laundry. Oh, what I wouldn't give for those new big load washer and dryers, and a dishwasher!! Maybe in another life!

2010-05-24T12:14:00.001-04:00

It has been a wild month. It rained forever and a day, pretty much all the month so far, until the last couple days, now the sun is out and it is looking nice.

Earlier in the month it was so cold, the kids have been having to wear sweatshirts and such to school, then all the sudden overnight the temperature has risen, and it is mid-summer like right now!

What is up with the weather? It is not just this month either, it seems like all year has been messed up. We never have snow days anymore. I remember when I was in school there was snow, but anymore none. This year we had EIGHT snow days! That never happens around here anymore.

Then just as spring came along, it got really hot, for about three days, then back to freezing, then hot, then back to freezing. It has been one wickedly weird year for weather!

Sunny Sunday Afternoon

2010-05-23T14:14:00.000-04:00

It is a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon here in the MidWest. After almost a whole month of rain, it is so good to see the sun.
My daughter and I headed out to the yard to plant some marigold around the new pin-oak tree that she got. All the third graders in her school were given a pin-oak tree on earth day, and we planted it in the yard. It needs lost of water, so we planted in down in the "swampy" part of the yard, the part that seems to hold water when it rains, and this is suppose to be good for the tree according to the information they sent home with it.
Today we went out, and planted some marigolds around the tree, added some potting soil to the ground around the tree, and made sure it looked nice, then watered it with some miracle gro water and here's to hoping that it does ok.
Since we were out, we went down to the mailbox and planted some Zinnas around the mailbox. Hoping that makes the place look a little more like we care about the yard.
We have such a slope from the top, or left side of the property, looking from the street to the bottom or right side of the property. It would probably look good if we terraced it out of something, but it is so hard to figure out what to do with the slope.
We haven't done much with the yard since we bought the house in 2001, although we have the lawn grown in to a lush thick yard, it did have a number of bare sopts throughout the front yard, and we have planted a few things, but not a whole lot. Although I would love to do more, I always stop myself because I think, well if we do this or that remodel that we are talking about we would have to lose whatever I was planning in the yard, and so I stop myself. Here we have been in the house almost 9 years and haven't done a single remodling project, although they are all LONG overdue. So this year, I think I am just going to go ahead and do what I want in the yard, and if we do remodel, oh well, I can move it I am sure.

Excuses for not blogging...

2010-05-22T15:58:00.000-04:00

Another excuse for my lack of blogging recently would have to be Facebook.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my Facebook. I have found and reconnected with a number of friends from high school, caught up on their lives and children, and even a few grandchildren, and I love it. I will never give up my Facebook all together, but I have found that I go through cycles on it, with the games.

Yep, the games. I get caught up in a game and then I spend all my time playing it and I don't get my work done or blogging or writing or anything else. Then I will cycle through were I get bored with the games, and get back to regular life and blogging and working. Of course, I said it was a cycle, so I get hooked on them again, then off then on again, and around and around we go, where it stops no one knows.
At the moment, since I am home, I am not playing the games as much, which seems opposite, I should be playing more since I have the time, but at the moment I am more into figuring out a do-able schedule that works so that I can get what I need to done during the day, play a few games, and still have time to blog and review.
Being a stay-at-home mom again, even if I am recovering from surgery, is a joy and a blessing to me, and I love being home, but if I spend all my time on the computer and don't get any of my work done, then it is not working out for the family. That is my mind-set, finding a way to balance the rerecation of the games, with the chores and other things that I need to do. And yes, writing, whether it be blogging or writing reviews of products and books, is something that I really must do every day. I find that when I devote time to writing I am a much happier person, so I need to find the time to write each day, but still do all my work around the house, and then some relaxing time with the games.

It is still a work in progress, but I am getting there! Isn't life a long work in progress? I don't think we ever truly get it figured out until the end, and then there is no way to change anything. That's ok, I am living a learning from the choices that I have made so far, and the choices that I will continue to make, and what I learn from them is what will make me into the person I am and the person I will continue to be.

Peace and Love to you all!

Car Insurance

2010-05-18T13:31:00.007-04:00

Car Insurance

If you have been following my blog, you will remember that I recently had surgery. To do that meant that I had to take a leave of absence from my job at the school. What that in turns means, we are living on one salary at the moment. It can be a scary thing, and so I have been doing alot of research and comparasions.

One place that I thought we might be able to save money was on car insurance, but where to start. We have all seen the commericals on tv, but I went to this website:
Car Insurance
and found a great resource. The website allows you to get quotes from different insurances, which a number of other sites will do also, but my favorite thing about this site, the information.

On the main page you get definations and explanations of all kinds of insurance terms, you know those ones that you have no idea what means and they can effect the price you pay for insurance greatly. Things like liablitity policy, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, theft policies, and no fault policies (which is not available in my state, but is available in 12 other states). I had never even heard of no fault policies, and being that they are no available in my state that is probably why, but it was still neat to read about them and whay they offer.

I was impressed with this site. If you are looking to cut some cost in your budget, check it out. If you do, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!

CarInsurance

Delayed allergic reaction, is that possible?

2010-05-17T17:23:00.001-04:00

Of course over the past few days I have been talking about this "rash" or itching that has been occuring on each of my four incisions. Never had anything like this occur before in my life.
It started Friday with itching. Each of the incisions was itching like crazy, so I tried plain antibotic cream on them. Saturday they were still itching, but the skin around each one was getting red. Continued with the antibotic cream, but ended up taking Benadryl to get to sleep. Sunday morning they were still itchy, still red, but now they were puffy, so I switched to cortizone. Got up this morning, still itchy, still red, still puffy, so I called the doctor's office and they wanted to see me.
Turns out I am having a "delayed allergic reaction" to something that touched each incision during the surgery. Most likely something on the robot arms that were in each incision. Never heard of this before and defintely never had something like that occur before. So, I am continuing with the cortizone cream and Benadryl at night if needed for the itching. It should clear up in a couple of days, if not will be checking back with the dotocr's office.
On a postitive note, the incisions are healing wonderfully and looking great too. They are almost completely healed over, and it is not even a full two weeks post-op yet. Feeling pretty good about that too!

A Healing Rash?

2010-05-15T11:25:00.002-04:00

So for most of the day yesterday, I was itching. It was around each incision, so I figured that it was the small scabs that had formed on them that were healing and thus causing the itching. So to try to help with the healing and lessen the itching I was putting antibotic oinment on them all day. Went to bed last night and woke this morning itching even worse. Got up and headed to the bathroom to look in the mirror, and what to my wondering eyes did I find but a red, puffy rash around each incision. It doesn't hurt in the normal sense of the word, it just itches, like crazy mind you!

Great!! I had trouble right before the one-week date with the bandages making me break out into a rash and so I had to take them all off. It was probably well past time to take them off, but i was trying to be cautious and leave them on until it had been one week. So I had to but ointment on them, and that cleared up in a day as soon as i got rid of the bandages. Now I am breaking out around the incisions, and this one I am not sure what it is from. I have used the ointment I was using for years with no problems...no, not the same tube, but the same brand. It is what I had grown up with, what my Mom always had in the house when we were kids, and what I have always kept in the house since I had kids. We have never had a problem with it until now. Not sure if it is the ointment, or something else, but part of me finds it hard to believe that I could develop a reaction to the ointment after all this time.

Healing is always a touching process, and it occurs in different waves for everyone. Like a good friend had the exact same procedure a week earlier than me, nd she is worn out very easily after doing things, but she is walking fine. Me, I have the engery to do things but I am walking so slowly. I just can't speed up my pace or it pulls at my incisions. Every person reacts differently and everyone moves at a different pace, I understand that and I am okay with it, it is just the itching that is driving me crazy! So on to another phase of healing in this journey!

Bullion, and not the type to make soup with

2010-05-14T12:46:00.002-04:00

Let's face it, the economy is still not what it was, and more and more folks are worried about their finances. Especially with the cuts in education funding that seems to be htting a number of states. Have you thought about Bullion? No, not the stuff you use to make soup with, but the gold and silver varities? Did you know that with the United States Gold Bureau you can purchase silver, gold or other precious metals and coins for immediate personal delivery or arrange for convenient and safe storage at an independent bank or depository.

We've all seen the commericals on tv about once an hour from some group or another that says they will buy your scrap gold at the best prices around. So we know that the price of gold is good, but what you have to remember is that the price of gold has always been pretty stable, as far as I have been able to research. I mean think about it...."buying gold has been recognized for centuries as one of the best ways to preserve one's wealth and purchasing power.", doesn't that make you think? I mean, it's a whole lot more stable than my "stable mutual funds" in my IRS that now has less money than ever in it!

Since Gold bullion is a unique investment, and has been invested and traded since from the time of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to more modern times, it only makes since that it would still be a good investment now. Something that has been around that long, has been invested and traded for that long, has a lot more historty than any mutual fund out there on the market, so to me it gives a peace of mind that you can't find with other things.

The thing is, like any investment, you have to research it yourself, not just read my blog and do it because I said so. I want you to looking into what it takes to buy gold bullion yourself, and I think a great place to do it would be the US Gold Bureau website, http://www.usgoldbureau.com/. Once you have looked into it, tell me what you think? I think it is worth a look, and the research, and you know, it just might be the think you are looking for.

daVinci robot and life

2010-05-14T12:35:00.002-04:00

So nowdays, if you have to have a hysteroctomy and you happen to have a great docotor and live in a town that has one of the new daVinci robots, you are in luck! My advice to you, if your doctor recommends one, make sure they can do it with the daVinci, you will not be sorry!

Wednesday May 5th I had a full hysteroctomy with the daVinci. Now, I have four little incisions where the arms of the robot went in, but no stitches, and I only had to spend the night in the hospital, no more. The surgery itself was long, a little over 3 hours, but the recovery time is amazing.Typically they say it is a 6 to 8 week recovery for a normal hysteroctomy, but at one week after surgery I am feeling wonderful! I have no pain, haven't had a single pain pill since Saturday May 8th. My incisions itch, but then again they are healing and have some small scabs on them so of course they itch. They don't hurt and they don't cause me discomfort for the most part, but I am walking at a much slower pace than before. I feel really good, but I do take care because my post-op note say that I can wear down more easily right now, so I try to take everything slow. Not lifting much of anything, but still doing awhole lot better than anyone I have talked to that had either of the previous versions of the hysteroctomy. My mom had the traditional vaginal one, and she was down for a good 4 weeks before she started feeling like herslf and definetely took the full 8 weeks to recover.

Now, to figure out a schedule for my days that allows me to get some things done and feel like I am doing my part for the family while I am home, while at the same time not scheduling too much and wearing myself out and setting back my recovery. That is the hard thing, but I am trying. Life is ....good!

Medical issues

2010-05-12T14:27:00.002-04:00

Due to medical issues, I have been absent from my beloved blog for far too long.

I started having issues last fall, but they finally got to the point that I could no longer put them off and on Wednesday May 5th, I had surgery. I had a full hysteroctomy, and am recovering nicely.

The fact that I have been off all pain medications since Saturday, and that I was living on daily pain meds before the procedure is wonderful. I still have a long road to recovery to go, it is going to take awhile to be back up to speed, but I have my blogs and that is going to be a wonderful thing! It will be so nice to have somewhere to vent and talk again, someplace that I had lost for so long with the pain and problems of the past.

Welcome back!!

Book Reviews: The Necklace Triology

2010-02-01T17:54:00.000-05:00

Book Reviews : The Necklace Triology

The Necklace Triology
By: Kat Martinhttp://www.katbooks.com/

1. The Bride's Necklacehttp://www.katbooks.com/thebridenecklace.htm
2. The Devil's Necklace http://atammcreation.blogspot.com/2007/12/devils-necklace.html
3. The Handmadien's Necklace http://www.katbooks.com/thehandmaidens.htm

I love to read, and reading books in a series is probably my all-time favorite, and since I am working on my writing skills, I want to review some of my books

Bidazzled.com. Redefining Online Auctions

2009-12-27T20:50:00.003-05:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Bidazzled. All opinions are 100% mine.

So you know I am alway looking for ways to save money for the family on all kinds of things. Well I ran across a new site, launched in early November, Bidazzled.com is redefining the online auction market by offering savings of up to 90% on name brand merchandise all while funding a charity.

Commonly called Penny Auctions or Pay-Per-Bid auction sites, bids are purchased in advance and then used to bid on merchandise. The price increases a few cents with each bid placed and a few seconds are added to the countdown clock to give others a chance to bid. The auction ends when no other bids are placed. So if a new laptop ends at just a dollar, then you win the laptop for a dollar!

The best part about Bidazzled is that it was designed and created to fund a lung cancer charity (The Ruch Foundation: www.ruchfoundation.com ).

Highlights:

*Auction winners usually save over 80% off retail. *

*Nobody Loses: -If you don't win, you receive up to 50 Bonus Bids as a thank you for participating, and -You can purchase the auction item less the investment you had in the auction. -If you win, Bidazzled typically make an offer to buy the item back for either: -cash (paypal or check) - cash and bids -bids
In their first month, there have been 2 winners of Nintendo Wii's who have won with just their 5 free bids!

*** EXCLUSIVE OFFER *** * 15 Additional Bids to your readers if they use this code until January 15th (all they have to do is enter it on the registration page, there is no obligation or cost of any kind):
* Blog: BBP1202A

Bids cost $1 at Bidazzled and are available for purchase in bid packs as low as $25. You also receive bonus bids when you purchase a bid pack. The highest cost of a bid when you dilute the cost with the bonus bids you receive is only $.67 per bid and often much lower.

So, what have you got to lose?! Give it a try and if you like it, let me know, if you don't let me know too. That's how it works! Thanks!!

Mead Johnson, Maker of Enfamil, Loses Multi-Million Dollar False Advertising Case Against Store-Bran

2009-12-21T08:29:00.001-05:00

This is a sponsored guest post written by a Press Release on behalf of PBM Products. Post powered by Sponzai.

GORDONSVILLE, VA., December 2 , 2009—PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (NYSE: MJN) (“Mead Johnson”), the makers of the national-brand Enfamil® LIPIL® Infant Formula. Mead Johnson is 83 percent-owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands. PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®. The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer issued his written rulings yesterday following the November 10^th jury verdict. Judge Spencer’s written rulings permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making any false statements concerning PBM's infant formula, including the claims Mead Johnson previously made in Enfamil advertising that "It may be tempting to try a less expensive store brand, but only Enfamil LIPIL is clinically proven to improve brain and eye development," and "there are plenty of other ways to save on baby expenses without cutting back on nutrition." The Court also ordered Mead Johnson to retrieve from the public domain all advertising or promotional materials containing these or any other false claims about PBM's store brand infant formula.

The details of the decision and the complaint are posted online in full at:

· http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/Order_Laches.pdf

· http://www.pbmproducts.com/docs/PBM_Complaint_MJ_III_LIPIL.pdf

The nutritional supplements under examination in the case are two fats, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which Mead Johnson calls “LIPIL®” solely for marketing purposes and touts as promoting infant brain and eye development. PBM’s claim focused on Mead Johnson’s direct mailing to more than 1.6 million parents of an alarming blurry picture of a child’s cartoon duck next to a clear picture of the same image which suggested that anything other than the Enfamil LIPIL® blend of ingredients is inferior and will result in poor eye and brain development. Other parts of the false advertising campaign consist of statements that only Enfamil LIPIL has been proven to confer visual and mental benefits on infants, and store-brand formulas are a “cut-back in nutrition” compared to Enfamil.

PBM successfully argued that these advertisements were false and misleading especially since PBM store- brand infant formulas have the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil. PBM infant formulas are formulated to contain DHA and ARA, and are sourced from the same supplier in amounts which equal or exceed the DHA and ARA in Mead Johnson’s Enfamil LIPIL®.

This decision marks the third time PBM Products has sued Mead Johnson for false advertising claims. On the prior occasions Mead Johnson admitted that it made false claims about PBM’s products. It is also the first false advertising case to focus on the issue of DHA and ARA nutritional ingredients in formula, which were introduced into the market in 2003 and have become a staple in recent years by many brands as key components for infant development.

“This jury verdict should send a significant and clear message to Mead Johnson about the way it conducts marketing and advertising for its brands,” said Manning. “This lawsuit also demonstrates our complete commitment to defending our products and the valuable brands of our retail partners.”

“As a parent and supporter of children’s medical research, I take a personal responsibility in assuring our customers that the products we produce are healthy and nutritionally equivalent to brand names like Enfamil® LIPIL®. It is important, especially now, for parents to know that there are lower priced yet highly nutritious store-brand formulas that will provide the same benefit to their children as any national brand name formula product,” Manning added.

The U.S. infant formula market is estimated at $3.4 billion and the global market is estimated at $7.9 billion.

All of PBM’s formulas, and for that matter all of U.S. infant formulas, are subject to the exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies. For more information, visit this FDA link.

PBM Products was represented by the law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. Partners from the firm’s advertising practice, Harold P. Weinberger and Jonathan M. Wagner in New York, led the team.

About PBM

PBM is privately owned and based in Gordonsville, VA. PBM companies specialize in manufacturing, distributing, and marketing consumer food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical products. For more information, visit www.pbmproducts.com.

Enfamil® LIPIL® are registered trademarks of Mead Johnson & Co.

Book Review: The Sugar Camp Quilt

2009-10-16T15:16:00.003-04:00

The Sugar Camp Quilt
by: Jennifer Chiaverini
Elm Creek Quilts Novel Series, book seven

The Sugar Camp Quilt is the seventh book in the series, but is completely new in the way it is written. This book is set entirely in the past, in fact, pre-Civil War, but the Underground Railroad is alive and running through Creeks Crossing.

In the Runaway Quilt, through the journal of the family member, we met some of the past people in Creeks Crossing, including the Wright's, and the Nelson's, and Doctor Granger. This book goes back to the time when Doctor Granger is a young boy of sixteen just starting his training as a doctor, and although he is mentioned in the book, he is not actually around for most of the events, save one small time frame during the passing of Uncle Jacob. Most of the story revolves around Dorthea Granger, who we met in the Runaway Quilt as Dorthea Nelson. This tells us of her life and introduces us to Mr. Nelson.

Dorthea is somewhat shelter and has no idea that people don't believe the Bible the way she was raised and that anyone in their town could actually think Slavery is right is beyond her. This book opens her eyes to the fact that people she just assumed to be like her because they lived in Creeks Crossing are in fact slavecathers, and she is appauled to say the least. It is her coming of age story in the time pre-civil war and the quilts factor in again in the story line.

I loved the book. Again the quilts were wonderful and to read a young girl, much like I would think I might have been, so completely unaware that people out there could hate each other this much and not believe that all are created equal, was wonderful to read. I think you will enjoy this one also!

Weather is better there

2009-10-16T14:54:00.005-04:00

So what's the weather like?

Here? It sucks! Winter is breathing down our necks and it is like 40-50 degrees, the girls have been sick all week, and decided that it would only be right to share, so I have been sick most of the week! It's too early in the school year to be this sick, and off work this long!
The trees are rapidly changing colors, and losing their leave, not even enough time to have the traditional fall leaf-gawkers going, it is moving too fast. I want something better.

How about here? Arizona - landscape design in Scottsdale AZ The average temperature is around 80 degrees, even in the winter, and that would mean none of this getting sick stuff! I could handle that!! Especialy after dealing with this all week! I want no more colds, no more flu and a nice relaxing place to live. I think I could handle Arizona.

What about you? Are you a winter person or a summer person?

Handknitted Fancy Fur Scarf

2009-07-30T13:05:00.003-04:00

As you can see, I have been working hard and have a new item to add to the "a TAMM creation" line.
This is a wonderfully soft, Fancy Fur scarf. The yarn I used was made by lion Brand, and was called Fancy Fur. This particular one is black, with kernels of purple, blue, navy and turquiose throughout.
The scarf is 42 inches in length and 4 inches in width, which makes it a nice length that both adults and children can wear. Both my daughter and I tried it on last night and like the length on me, wouldn't get into anything, hit about mid-chest, and on my daughter it hung longer and just looked so nice.

As you can see, although this is not the greatest model picture, we had someone else that just had to get into the picture too, but it looks great.
I have limited amounts of this yarn right now, unless I can find more somewhere, but it seems this confettie type of Fancy Fur is not being carried where I shop, so unless I find it online and at a good price, I am limited to the TWO scarves have.

The scarf is listed at $14.00 with FREE SHIPPING in the US, only $1.00 ships it to Canada. Time involved in making this, just over three hours.

I have some more of the yarn, but it is in the process of becoming a matching purse! I have had this idea for a knitted purse for a long time now, and I loved this yarn, so I decided to go for it and make the matching purse. Not sure how long it will be before it comes out, as there is no pattern for this purse, it is all in my head, but I am looking forward to it coming out!
Thanks for checking out what I have to offer!

Bamboo Knitting Needles

2009-07-29T12:55:00.002-04:00

I taught myself to knit a number of years back, can't read a pattern to save my life, can't do a purl stitch techicnally, but I can do the basic knit stitch, which will make a fine blanket or scarf. So the Christmas before last I made these crazy Fun Fur scarfs for alot of family. They loved them, and I thought this past year that it would be tacky to make them the same thing again, boy was I wrong, in fact I got dejected calls from family when they didn't get a new scarf, so I guess that means that I will be making more scarves this year.

I was at the store and I could always use another set of needles. I was looking at the selection, you have your choice of steel, plastic or bamboo. Now I have had the steel and plastic, and of the two I like the steel much better, the tips on the plastic are too easily broken. I had read in one of my knitting novels about bamboo, and the idea in the story was that they were better. Well, the price was okay, they were only about a dollar more than the regular ones, so I thought I would try them. Let me tell you! I am in heaven! I will never use another plastic needle again! The tips on the steel needles are very pointed, almost to the point of being sharp, which is nice for certain tight knits, and the plastic are not as sharply pointed, but theses bamboo are almost blunt compared to the others and I thought there is no way this will work, but after doing a few rows I found they were nice. The steel tips can make your fingers sore after awhile, but these bamboo needles felt so comfortable and smooth in my hands, that I loved working with them! I am sold! In fact, I may never buy another pair of steel needles either, but I know for sure that the bamboo have become my favorites and I will be using them for most all my knitting.
Now, I just have to figure out what colors I gave everyone the other year, and make them something different this year!

Looking for a watch?

2009-07-28T10:40:00.002-04:00

If I am not reading, I'm writing, and if something is up and I can't be reading or writing, I'm probably surfing the web! Which is great for me, and in turn you, because I find all kinds of fun, strange and amazing things. This one qualifies as amazing, I think.

Have you ever wanted a Rolex of your very own? Thought it couldn't happen? Well, not anymore. I found this website, www.bestoftime.com and they are a Rolex dealer, new and used Rolexs and even better, they have discount prices! What more do you want?

How about being an official accredited business by BBB, Better Business Bureau with an exceptional A+ RATING the highest possible rating a business can get!
Want even more than that, well how about the Worlds best selection of ROLEX watches at the absolute lowest price. All Of There ROLEX Watches are 100% Genuine Certified & Authentic. With a 3 year warranty and free fedex shipping.

How can they do this you are asking? Well, Best of Time offers genuine Rolex watches at substantial discounts to the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Because they are an independent dealer of new and pre-owned Rolex watches, they can avoid manufacturer's pricing controls and forward greater discounts to the customers. Their prices are incredible for the world’s best luxury Rolex watches, due to the fact that they receive Rolex watches in specific quantities and have a very low markup so the savings is passed directly to you.

The best of all, they are physcially located right in the US, Atlanta to be exact. So check it out and let me know what you think, could you finally be the owner of a wonderful timepiece?

Handknitted Barbie Accessories

2009-07-28T09:15:00.004-04:00

We have offically entered the "Barbie" Phase of life here in our house, and in honor of that, and more importantly by request of my daughter (and model), Maeve, I have added to the TAMM line.

This is a hand-knitted bedroom set for a Barbie house.It consists of a hand-knitted double Barbie blanket. What is a double blanket, well, it is a blanket that will cover two Barbies nicely. As my daughter got FIVE Barbies for her birthday and only one bed, she requested that they get to sleep together, so a Double Barbie Blanket. Also in the set is a double barbie pillow, hand-knitted and stuffed for maxium comfort.This set it done is a very pretty light blue, white and lavender verigated yarn.

As a bonus for my daughter, and since there wasn't much yarn left, I made this cute little hand-knitted halter dress for the Barbie. It is done in the same verigated yarn.I am going to be adding these to the "a TAMM creation" line for sale, and I have a number of yarns to do these with at home, so if you have a Barbie girl in your house that needs dressing, let me know and I can make up your favorite colors.

The other idea that has come to my head involves this cute little halter dress, it was really easy to make, and I didn't have a pattern, but I am thinking with a really soft, lightweight cotton, I could make this into a top for my daughters! Now it would take little time to make it, but I think I am going to try it!

So tell me what you think? Do you like them? Oh....all Barbie accessories will be on sale with FREE shipping.Would you buy a hand-knitted halter top for your daughter?

Book Reviews : The Necklace Triology

2009-07-28T09:10:00.004-04:00

The Necklace Triology

By: Kat Martin
http://www.katbooks.com/

1. The Bride's Necklace
http://www.katbooks.com/thebridenecklace.htm

2. The Devil's Necklace http://atammcreation.blogspot.com/2007/12/devils-necklace.html

3. The Handmadien's Necklace http://www.katbooks.com/thehandmaidens.htm

I love to read, and reading books in a series is probably my all-time favorite, and since I am working on my writing skills, I want to review some of my books

Do you have a favorite scent?

2009-07-27T16:40:00.003-04:00

Do you have a favorite scent? Something that evokes a fond memory? Maybe a perfume that you love?

Diffenrent scents hold different meanings for me. Like the smell of cinnamon takes me back to childhood and fond memories of baking with my grandmothers. It makes me feel warm and safe.

Now when it comes to perfume, Lauren by Ralph Lauren is my all-time favorite. I used to save up in college to buy it, and wore it when I was dating my husband. So for me, that scent alone brings back the memories of that time when our relationship was new through to our wedding, because I wore Lauren at our wedding.

What about you? What is your scent memory?
Let'sTalk Perfume.

New Blog

2009-07-27T16:23:00.002-04:00

Last fall, I took a job that I had desired for a long time, I began working at the Primary School that my children attended. I love my job, and it has been so special for me to be in the same building with my kids at different points in their lifes, I continue to love my work.

With that change in careers came a hugh change in my computer time! Before that, I was working in an office, and had lots of time on breaks and lunch to be on the computer and to do blogging and what-not, but when I moved to the school, I had no computer time. I would only get on for morning messages from teachers and such, then it was all about the kids. By the time I got home, it was the kids on the computers with homework, so I basically disappeared off te computer for a year.

I am happy to say that I have established myself a more healthy routine and I will again have some computer time. Still nothing like I used to have, but I will have time each day to focus on myself and my computer time. So, to celebrate, I have a new blog about me, my ramblings, and will be writing there.

This blog will continue, as I will now be able to once again create new items for this line. The job change, not only but an end to my computer time, but I had even less time to work on projects and create things for the "a TAMM creation" line. I have managed to work on a few things this summer, and look forward to doing more, and working this back up to at least where it was before if not higher.

Trio of Hand Crocheted Sponges

2008-08-11T14:22:00.001-04:00

So I have been having so much fun making these hand-crocheted sponges, now that I have tried them once.

I love the look of them, and this is a neat little set of three that coordinate with each other. In this trio, two are made of a blue cotton crochet thread and trimmed out in a verigated cotton thread, The thrid member of the trio is in the vergiated thread, which happens to be white, blue and tan, then it is trimmed out in the solid blue thread. Would be a great set in the kitchen.

The Trio is selling for $10.00, shipping included on my etsy site.

I also have the reverse trio, with two verigated sponges and one solid sponge. I love these sponges for a number of reasons, and eco-friendly is only one of them. They are made of natural cotton thread, they are reusable, just toss them in the washing machine occasionaly and clean away. They are thick and durable and work for any mess. They make a great housewarming gift.

Anyway, check them out and let me know what you think!!

Police Officer in the Family

2008-07-28T09:18:00.002-04:00

By now, you are all pretty aware of how proud of my baby brother I am, you know the one I have mentioned in numerous posts, the one who is a police officer?! Yeah, that one, the one I am so proud of!

So this weekend, my brother and his family came back to the old hometown and my folks place for a nice visit. They currently live a nine-hour drive away in Kansas, so this was a big deal. The funny thing, my brother , his wife and the youngest all walk in wearing police t-shirts!! Yeah, they are proud of him too!! So that got me to thinking about that police gear website I found awhile back and so here I am surfing this morning and I had to pull it up and see what I could find.

Tactical pants, shorts, hats, holsters and an awesome closeout section! I am all about the sales, and there is a pair of pants on closeout for $9.99, I'm all there!! I am telling you, they have got it all, and at great prices. The economy is not all that great right now, and you know that budget cuts are looming all over the place, so why not help out your favorite officer by giving them the gift of supplies at a great price. Be proud of those in your life that serve others, I am!!

Etsy Treasury

2008-07-21T14:22:00.000-04:00

Last week, or was it the week before, I just happened to be on Etsy at the right time and got my very first treasury. Well, I was surfing through there on my lunch hour today and you know what, I scored another treasury!!

IN Crowd Team Flood Relief Treasury

I am excited, as you problably can tell, and I think it's great. I think the treasuries are neat ways to find things, but also to get to know other artisians better, because once you put someone in your treasury, they tend to thank you and it strikes up a conversation. Part of my favorite thing about Etsy, getting to know the other people!!

So visit and let me know what you think!!

Affordable Mineral Makeup

2008-07-16T14:08:00.001-04:00

So I was looking for makeup the other day, something better than what I was getting from AVON, yeah, that was a holdover way back from the days when I was selling AVON, and so I had met and talked to the lady that started Affordable Mineral Makeup and I liked her so I thought I would try some!

Well, I loved it, and the products are so good for you, there are no preservatiives in the makeup and it is all natural and what could be better, even eco-friendly and now that I have kids, I am more concerned about what kind of world we are leaving for them.
So I signed up to be an afflilate with them, hence the banner in this post and on the side bar, but for me, it is all about getting a discount on the products that I am buying all the time!

Anyway, click on the link, check them out and let me know what you think!!

ORGANIC Hand-crocheted Headband

2008-07-16T13:39:00.001-04:00

So this addition is more than just a new color, it's a new item altogether! First time I tried this, and I think it turned out nice, but I have more ideas in store for it!!

This is a lovely little headband, hand-crocheted in the wonderful Lime Green Organic Cotton Thread. It is about 1 1/2 inches wide and measures about 20 inches around. Both my girls can wear this one, and they are 4 and 7, so this size is great for young girls.

I was just playing around and came up with this one, but have a new idea, to add some beading to the crocheted headband, so that is the next project in the works, hopefully to be finished soon and pictures up on the web for you all.

Price on this little beauty is only $4.00 and that includes shipping in the US. For Canada, please add 50 cents to cover those extra fees they charge me, and for worldwide shipping please ask, I will only charge my exact cost to ship, never an added fee.

Check this and the reast of the line out at: a TAMM creation

ORGANIC Hand-crocheted Sponge

2008-07-16T13:32:00.002-04:00

Another addition to the "a TAMM creation" line....

Well, actually you have already seen the Hand-crocheted Sponges, but this is a new color....

Lime Green ORGANIC cotton thread was used to make this lovely little addition to your life. Measures about 5 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches high. Perfect for scrubbing!!

We all know how much better for the enviornment reusable products are, and this is made from ORGANIC yarn, then you can throw it in the wash machine whenever you need and reuse it for a very long time!!

Price is just $3.00 and shipping to the US is included. Shipping to Canada, please add 50 cents to cover the extra costs, and for worldwide shipping just ask me for the actual cost (nothing added) to ship to you!

Can be seen, which all kinds of other items, at my store site: a TAMM creation

**On Sunday, three of these sold, so I am shipping those out tomorrow and then will be working on more for the store!! Get'em while they last!!***

Take Control Stem Cell Innovation for Women

2008-07-10T11:13:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I know that Stem Cell research is controversial, but this is something that I just heard about, and so I wanted to share. Personally, if we can get stem cells this way, it takes ALOT of the controversy out of the picture, at least that is my thinking, what is your opinion?

Taking Control: Future Therapies for a Host of Serious Diseases May Be Found in Women's Menstrual Blood

July 07, 2008: 01:28 PM EST CNNMoney

OLDSMAR, Fla., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With today’s hectic lifestyle, where most women are juggling careers, family, relationships, and a host of activities, the idea of possibly facing a serious illness in the future is not something that readily comes to mind -- especially when a woman is in the prime of her life. But what most women don’t know, is that the key to treating a number of possibly life-threatening diseases that she, a parent, a sibling or even her children may face in later years, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, may be found within her own body -- in vital stem cells, which can now be harvested from her own menstrual blood.

Now, thanks to the revolutionary research and technology of C’elle, a service dedicated to providing women with a safe and easy method of collecting and preserving stem cells found in her menstrual fluid each month, even the busiest woman can take control of her future, right in the privacy of her own home. With C’elle’s non-invasive collection process, menstrual cells are processed and cryo-preserved (stored at a very low temperature) for potential cellular therapies that may be used in the future. These self-renewing cells one day may even be used for sports medicine or cosmeceutical treatments, such as anti-aging therapies.

"C’elle enables and empowers a woman to take control of her future health, and possibly of those genetically closest to her, in a fast, painless and stress free way," said Michelle Kay, Marketing and Sales Manager for C’elle. "We live in exciting times, as science and technology are discovering how extremely valuable menstrual blood stem cells really are, and the enormous treatment potential they represent for future therapies. C’elle’s ongoing research is supporting these promising findings."

For more information about C’elle, please call 1-877-892-3553 or visit http://www.celle.com/.

So this press release says that by collection the menstrual blood they can do all the same things, it has stem cells in it that they previously had to have embroyic stem cells for.

You know, I love that there is so much that can be done with stem cells, and I think there are alot of different ways to get the stem cells, and not just the embroyic way that has everyone up in arms. We promote saving cord blood when a baby is born as a way to bank against future problems, why not collect the cord blood of willing parents for research, I mean I know that if that had been offered to me when I was pregnant, I would have gladly donated the cord blood for research. We even thought about banking it, but the costs were just too much. A number of parents might be interested, espically if they didn't have to pay the costs to bank the blood, and that would be a great way to get stem cells without the controversey.

Now, they are offering another option, and I really think we need to keep an open mind and think about these therapies, this might be a good option. Parkinson's is one diease that stem research has been focusing on, and I know people with that and it would be wonderful if we could find a treatment or cure for it, but I understand the problems with the stem cell research, so I guess I am intriged and excited about this development.
Now how viable it will be as an option I am not sure, I need to do more research on the costs and the collection process, but I think we should all be thinking about it and looking closely at it, as well as other options, here, we as women have a great opportunity to help the world in a completely different way than before and I think we should be at least willing to look into it. I wonder if they just allow you to bank this for your own use or if it can be donated to research for anyone to use? That would be my idea, to donate it for research and other use.

So what do you think?

Etsy Treasury

2008-07-09T17:49:00.002-04:00

For all of you who have ever been on Etsy.com, you understand.....

I got a Treasury!!!

What is a treasury you ask, well, a treasury is your picks of different peoples items on etsy that you like, you can pick anything, but they can't all be your own stuff.
Why is it such a big deal to have one? Well they only allow so many at a time, and I just happened to be on this morning when the window opened and I was able to create a Treasury.

Indiana Artisans at work is my treasury. I featured Indiana crafters, and in particular people who are on the IN Flood Relief Fundraiser list, so every item you see is in a shop that is donating proceeds from this months sales to IN Flood Relief. The other thing I did was pick purple items, to make it even more of a pretty treasury to look at.

So check it out, see something you like, visit the shop and buy this month!! Remember, you can get something great and handmade and at the same time know that proceeds from that purchase are going to IN Flood Relief, what a great feeling, so shop away people!!

Hand Crocheted Sponge and Soapy

2008-07-05T17:57:00.004-04:00

I have no idea if what I made is even done with a "legal" crochet stitch, but I did use a crochet hook and crochet cotton thread, and so I am calling it crocheted. I have no idea of the stitches and can't read a pattern to save my life, but I hope this looks good to everyone else.

First is a hand-crocheted sponge. This is a double thickness rectangle that has been crocheted, then later crocheted together. The sponge measures 5 1/4 inches across and 3 3/4 inches high.

This one is done in the yellow-orange-pink verigated cotton crochet thread. This is a bright fun color, great for everyone. Want it in a different color, check out my earlier posts for yasrns in my stash for a custom order.

Next we have what I am calling a Soapy. It is two rectangles of cotton yarn crocheted together, almost like the sponge above, but one end is left open to allow for a bar of soap to be slipped in between the two layers of crochet cotton.

This is perfect for washing younger kids, as the bar of soap can be slipped into the soapy, wet and then rubbed over the child. This keeps the bar of soap together, no matter how small it gets, and the soapy can be thrown in the washing machine anytime needed.

The soapy measures 5 1/2 inches across and 3 3/4 inches high, which fits a standard bar of soap. This particular one is again made with the pink-yellow-orange verigated cotton thread. Want another color, check previouis posts for yarn stash for a custom order.

Both the Sponge and the Soapy are priced at $3.00 each, with shipping to the US included. Shipping to canada, please add 50 cents. Want it shipped worldwide, ask me for exact costs.

Handknitted Kitchen Set

2008-07-05T17:48:00.003-04:00

Been working hard lately, and I am adding some more things to the "a TAMM creation" line. Some of this is in prep for the Fall Festivals that will be coming up and I am thinking of doing the one in Ellettsville again this year, and possibly the one in Stinesville too.

This is a kitchen set. It is a hand-knitted dishcolth and a hand-knitted sponge.
The dishcloth measures 8 inches by 7 inches. The sponges is a double thickness and measures 6 inches across by 3 3/4 inches high.

Both are hand-knitted with a cotton crochet thread, so they are completely machine washable, you can even bleach them, but the colors will fade with bleaching. They will last longer than the store bought sponges, and are more enviormentaly friendly. This one in particular is made with the blue to yellow to purple verigated cotton thread.

Priced at $4.00 for the set, and that includes shipping in the US, for shipping to Canada, please add 50 cents. I am willing to ship worldwide, but the cost for that would be the exact cost of shipping, nothing more, just ask.

Can be custom made in other colors, see other posts about the colors of yarns in my stash for custom orders.

Can be found at my store site: http://www.atammcreation.etsy.com

INCrowdTeam - Fund Raiser

2008-07-02T14:50:00.001-04:00

I am part of a "street Team" on etsy, the handmade site that hosts my store front, and as a street team, we have partnered with the church of one of the street team members to do a fund raiser for the recent IN flooding.

Here is the press release and a list of the shops that are participating, hope all the links work.

The INCrowd is partnering with Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus, IN to assist those affected by flooding in Indiana.
Each participating shop will generously donate a minimum of 10% of their sales for the month of July.

Grace Lutheran Church is assisting flood victims by setting up temporary shelters and donating food and clothing items to those in need. "At the moment everyone has been helped and are in temporary housing - they closed the shelter over the weekend. We will continue to take donations for quite awhile; the next phase is to help people rebuild and many did not have insurance and FEMA is not covering everything" states Carrie, Etsy shop owner of TimeandSand, who is also the director of the Care and Outreach Program at the church."Our membership is spread across the state of Indiana. Any part of our state that is affected by disasters - natural or otherwise - needs our support. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our families." says Kim, Etsy shop owner of ThePeachMartini.

Here are the participating shops:
newmoondesign.etsy.com
ambersjewelry.etsy.com
bluescarabbeads.etsy.com
myword.etsy.com
thepeachmartini.etsy.com
timeandsand.etsy.com
zacszoaps.etsy.com
hannahbags.etsy.com
dragoncat.etsy.com
atammcreation.etsy.com
madrinphotography.etsy.com
laktjohnson.etsy.com
afairtrade.etsy.com
designsbyabbi.etsy.com
abbi11883.etsy.com
belladio.etsy.com
shopbub.etsy.com
spiceoflifedesigns.etsy.com
corkyandspencer.etsy.com
nilochlainn.etsy.com
schwa.etsy.com
recoverandlive.etsy.com
bagsandmorebypam.etsy.com
mamabethbling.etsy.com
crescentwench.esty.com
bytheway.etsy.com
samandsha.etsy.com
texturedturtle.etsy.com
SalvagedBeauty.etsy.com
alteredartist.etsy.com
dragonflydreams10.etsy.com

Please check out these awesome shops and help support Hoosier communities affected by the flooding!

INCrowdTeam - Fund Raiser

2008-07-02T14:50:00.000-04:00

The INCrowd is partnering with Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus, IN to assist those affected by flooding in Indiana.
Each participating shop will generously donate a minimum of 10% of their sales for the month of July.

Grace Lutheran Church is assisting flood victims by setting up temporary shelters and donating food and clothing items to those in need. "At the moment everyone has been helped and are in temporary housing - they closed the shelter over the weekend. We will continue to take donations for quite awhile; the next phase is to help people rebuild and many did not have insurance and FEMA is not covering everything" states Carrie, Etsy shop owner of TimeandSand, who is also the director of the Care and Outreach Program at the church."Our membership is spread across the state of Indiana. Any part of our state that is affected by disasters - natural or otherwise - needs our support. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our families." says Kim, Etsy shop owner of ThePeachMartini.

Here are the participating shops:
newmoondesign.etsy.com
ambersjewelry.etsy.com
bluescarabbeads.etsy.com
myword.etsy.com
thepeachmartini.etsy.com
timeandsand.etsy.com
zacszoaps.etsy.com
hannahbags.etsy.com
dragoncat.etsy.com
atammcreation.etsy.com
madrinphotography.etsy.com
laktjohnson.etsy.com
afairtrade.etsy.com
designsbyabbi.etsy.com
abbi11883.etsy.com
belladio.etsy.com
shopbub.etsy.com
spiceoflifedesigns.etsy.com
corkyandspencer.etsy.com
nilochlainn.etsy.com
schwa.etsy.com
recoverandlive.etsy.com
bagsandmorebypam.etsy.com
mamabethbling.etsy.com
crescentwench.esty.com
bytheway.etsy.com
samandsha.etsy.com
texturedturtle.etsy.com
SalvagedBeauty.etsy.com
alteredartist.etsy.com
dragonflydreams10.etsy.com

Please check out these awesome shops and help support Hoosier communities affected by the flooding!

Handknitted Cell Phone Cases

2008-06-30T09:24:00.001-04:00

Just finished two more Cell Phone cases to be added to the "a TAMM creation" line.

This one was a special request for a friend and is already sold, but it doesn't take too long to make up another if you are interested.
The yarn is a yellow to hot pink to orange verigated cotton crochet thread. I think I have pictures of this yarn in my stash photos.
This case measures 2 inches across and 4 1/2 inches high. Custom made cases to fit your particular model of cell phone are avaible.
Price $3.50 with FREE shipping.

This case is a shades of green vergiated pattern. The yarn has a light green, kind of a sage green and a darker green. And this is one of the new ORganic yarns that I jsut got in stock, it is just a soft as the other yarns, but it feels kind nice inside with the organic label.

This case measure 2 1/2 inches across and 4 inches high, but I can custom make a case in the size to fit your particular cell phone, jsut give me the measurements.

Price again on the cell phone cases is $3.50 and that includes shipping.

Check out all the cases on my store site a TAMM creation

New Banner Deisgn for the business

2008-06-19T09:43:00.002-04:00

So I just got this new banner designed for the business. What do you all think? Does it fit with the business? I really liked it, loved the picket fence, in fact, looking at this post, I like it even better when it is really little and you only notice the blue of the background and not the yellow in the stripes.

So let me know your thoughts, please!!

By the way, I got this banner custom designed by a wonderful lady who I found through Etsy! Yep, you know it, I sell on etsy and I buy even more on Etsy!!

Check this out: Personalized Stickers, Tags & Lip Balm by Herjodren

More Yarn Stash

2008-06-18T23:43:00.003-04:00

So I got a chance to take some more pictures of some of my cotton yarn stash.

This is a wonderfully soft blue, almost like a washed denim color cotton yarn.
This is a yarn I have had on hand for awhile, so it is not one of the newer organic yarns, but I actually bought it to do as edging on a dishcloth made out of the next yarn.

This is a really neat white to brown to blue verigated yarn. Again, this is one that I have had on=hand for awhile, so it is not one of the newer organic yarns, but I loved the colors.

I was thinking I would make a dishcloth with this and then edge it with the blue pictured above. I tried to match the blue in this yarn to that blue so that it would look neat. I still may make those, have only gotten the one dishcloth done at the moment, but I am hoping to add more later.

Another one of my older yarns, so no it is not an organic, but it is the greatest colors. It is a hot pink to yellow to orange verigated yarn that is just fun.

I just started work on another cell phone case in this yarn, a special request from a friend to carry her pink pearl blackberry in when she has it in her purse. I think it is going to look great.

Remember, any of the yarns in my stash, this post of the previous can be made into a cell phone case, sized to match your phone for only $3.50 and that includes shipping. See previous posts for pictures of cell phone cases already made.
Also, any of these yarns can be used to make dishcloths. Each cloth is a 7 1/2 inch by 7/12 inch square. It can be edged in the same yarn or a coordinating yarn for only $2.00 each, and that includes shipping. Pictures of the dishcloth will be posted soon.

Check out other items at www.atammcreation.etsy.com

Handknitted Cell Phone Case

2008-06-18T23:39:00.004-04:00

So I just finished a special request by a friend, a cell phone case made to fit hr new digital camera in my new Lime Green Organic Yarn.

The case measures 2 1/2 inches across and 4 inches high. It actually fits my older model LG flip phone perfectly.

You can find it for sale on my etsy site at www.atammcreation.etsy.com for $3.50 with FREE shipping to the US and Canada.

Yarn Stash

2008-06-16T12:04:00.003-04:00

I mentioned in my last post, when I talked about the new Cell Phone case, that I had a hugh stash of yarns to use to make this case, well I got a couple, and I mean only a couple of photos done this weekend, what with is being Father's day and all, but at least I got a couple done.

So this is the purple-blue-yellow verigated crochet cotton thread that I used to do the original phone case that I personally carry, and that my good friend Angie now carries.

I love it. I also finished a dishcloth in this color, this yarn that I will be getting photos of and posted soon.

Lime green, how can you not like it?! I have this thing for lime green, I would buy anything in lime green, well almost. This is more of a subtle lime green in that it is not that neon lime green, but more of a soft lime green.

This is another Organic Yarn that I got. I found a place that had some Organic Cotton Yarns, and I placed a big order, think I got five colors altogether in that order, but I want to try organic.

This is a tri-color verigated blend of greens. It starts with a white, then up to a light, not quite lime green, then a medium green and then a darker green. I really love the colors and can't wait to start working with this one.

This is also an Organic Cotton Crochet Thread. My first purchase of Organic Cotton, but I loved the colors and I think it will make a great addition to the line.

Handknitted Cell Phone Case

2008-06-12T12:43:00.004-04:00

So the "a TAMM creation" line is growing again!

This time a wonderful little handknitted cell phone case is the latest addition. I have one that I knitted for myself, and a friedn loved it so much that I made her one for her phone and she has gotten so many compliments on it in the few weeks that she has had it that it had to go into the line.

This is a great picture of the colors that are in the ones I have made so far. They are made from a cotton crochet thread, and this is a yellow-purple-blue-white verigated thread. It is soft, yet not too bulky and it protects the phone in your purse or gymbag wonderfully.

I have just gotten a new stash of Organic Cotton Yarns that I am dying to try out, one is a line green, another is verigated using the same lime green with some other colors, so I am looking forward to making more of these cases with the new Organic Yarns.

This is the case that I made my friend, and it measures 2 inches across and 4 1/2 inches high. It fits the phone in the picture like a glove. Sorry that the picture got a little blurry, don't think my camera liked the dark background on that phone too much.

I will custom make one for you in your choice of colors from my stash and to fit the measurements of your particular phone.

Price is $3.50 each, with FREE Shipping in the US and Canada. Ask me about worldwide shipping.

Store Link: http://www.atammcreation.etsy.com/

Thanks!

Police Gear Website review

2008-05-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

How many of you know that my baby brother is a Police Officer? Yep. He went to college, got his degree and got on the police force in Kansas, and has been there ever since, moving up all along the way, can you tell I'm a little proud!

So being the ever loving sister that I am, when someone sent me a link to a Police Gear website, I had to check it out. Right now, when you buy a tactical holster you get a tactical hat free. Aside from that, everything is listed below retail pricing, so that makes you feel good about buying from them.

I'm going to finish surfing around the website, because it looks really good, and I may have to put in a call to my sister-in-law and see if she knows about the site, and if there is anything that my brother needs, espically since he recently had a birthday, I can always justify spending money if it was from someone elses birthday!

Handknitted Fancy Fur Scarf

2008-05-15T14:37:00.001-04:00

As you can see, I have been working hard and have a new item to add to the "a TAMM creation" line.

This is a wonderfully soft, Fancy Fur scarf. The yarn I used was made by lion Brand, and was called Fancy Fur. This particular one is black, with kernels of purple, blue, navy and turquiose throughout.

The scarf is 42 inches in length and 4 inches in width, which makes it a nice length that both adults and children can wear. Both my daughter and I tried it on last night and like the length on me, wouldn't get into anything, hit about mid-chest, and on my daughter it hung longer and just looked so nice.

As you can see, although this is not the greatest model picture, we had someone else that just had to get into the picture too, but it looks great.

I have limited amounts of this yarn right now, unless I can find more somewhere, but it seems this confettie type of Fancy Fur is not being carried where I shop, so unless I find it online and at a good price, I am limited to the TWO scarves i have listed on Etsy.com

The scarf is listed at $14.00 with FREE SHIPPING in the US, only $1.00 ships it to Canada. Time involved in making this, just over three hours.

Thanks for checking out what I have to offer!

Just Expressing Myself

2008-05-07T11:31:00.003-04:00

Okay, so you know that sometimes I visit the Smorty site, if you are wondering there is a link to them in the sidebar, but they advertise to have opportunities for you to review a website or product, write a review and get paid for it, but they almost never have any paid posts available. Not long ago they started this non-paid thing called blog exchange, you write a review of someones blog on your blog and they are in turn suppose to write one on you. So far I have written four on other people and only gotten two written on me.

Well, I decided to visit again today and got a good one. The site is subtitled Just Expressing Myself Opinions, Thoughts, and Creative Writing. You know, something I can get into.

So I go, and I am not expecting much, because you know past experience hasn't lead me to find anything really good up until now, but I really liked this blog. The first post I read was their experience with Smorty on doing this blog exchange, and then they proceeded to talk about a variety of things, not all one topic, so it wasn't boring, in fact it was pretty fun to read. I think I might just have to add them to my list of blogs to read!

Thanks and check them out!

Newest additions to the TAMM line

2008-05-02T12:21:00.005-04:00

We have offically entered the "Barbie" Phase of life here in our house, and in honor of that, and more importantly by request of my daughter (and model), Maeve, I have added to the TAMM line.

This is a hand-knitted bedroom set for a Barbie house.
It consists of a hand-knitted double Barbie blanket. What is a double blanket, well, it is a blanket that will cover two Barbies nicely. As my daughter got FIVE Barbies for her birthday and only one bed, she requested that they get to sleep together, so a Double Barbie Blanket. Also in the set is a double barbie pillow, hand-knitted and stuffed for maxium comfort.
This set it done is a very pretty light blue, white and lavender verigated yarn.

As a bonus for my daughter, and since there wasn't much yarn left, I made this cute little hand-knitted halter dress for the Barbie. It is done in the same verigated yarn.
I am going to be adding these to the "a TAMM creation" line for sale, and I have a number of yarns to do these with at home, so if you have a Barbie girl in your house that needs dressing, let me know and I can make up your favorite colors.

So tell me what you think? Do you like them? Oh....all Barbie accessories will be on sale with FREE shipping.
Would you buy a hand-knitted halter top for your daughter?

Top Chef Chicago - April 30

2008-05-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

Top Chef Chicago
April 30th Episode

Find my blog post about this episode on my new blog....

http://atammmommy.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/top-chef-chicago-april-30/

All of the regular posts will be on that blog, this blog will become my business and creation focused blog.

Time for Change

2008-04-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

So, when I started this particular blog is was named for the business, and was intended to be about the business, but over time, it just became the place for me to vent, to write and to work out everything in my life.

After some thought and encouragment, I have decided to "split" this blog. This blog will remain, and the name will remain the same and I will continue to blog here, but it will be business focused, and creations focused, meaning that it will be more about "a TAMM creation", and what I am creating and designing and having fun with.

All the fun stuff, my practice writings, the posts about tv shows and my soapbox rants, all of that will be moving over to a new blog at wordpress. Yep, I decided to give them a try since I hadn't used them before and a number of people have been telling me about them and saying I should use them instead, so I am giving them a try. The new blog is http://www.atammmommy.wordpress.com
Yep, I tried to keep the name in the same vein so that you would all know that it was me, but that blog will be all about me. I love the writing and I am thinking about working on some practice fiction stories on the blog, so that is the main thing that really prompted me to go ahead and do the slipt.

Please bear with me as I work on the slipt. It is going to take me alot of time to get things moved and then cleaned up once I move them. Thanks for your support!!

Dancing with the Stars - April 29th

2008-04-30T08:54:00.001-04:00

Dancing with the Stars - The Results Show
April 29th

So last night was another Dancing with the Stars Results show, and Monday night had it's share of excitement, with Christian pulling a muscle in his arm in the middle of the dance, and yet they were still safe.

So who did we say good-bye to, well, as the pictures tell, we said good-bye to Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough. It will not be the same without Derek, I loe to watch him dance, but overall, I'm okay with Shannon going home.

I have no idea who Shannon Elizabeth is, or how she got on Dancing with the Stars, but she tried and worked hard, and I think this is the downfall of just about every model type on the show, when you are tall and thin (like they want models to be) you have the tendency to look gangly when dancing, there is just not the smoothness or flow of the arms and legs as with others.
Personally, I would have been jumping for joy if Mario and Karina had went home last night, they were my vote to go, but sadly they stayed. Sorry to all of you out there that like him, but there is just somethign about him that doesn't set well, and then there is the ice princess karina, I really liked her when she danced with Mario Lopez, but since then she has developed an attitude (although I think it has always been there, but with Mario L, they were dancing so well, and he was such a great sport that it didn't show on her until the end when they announced the winner and you could tell she was pissed and Mario was like it's okay)

So another week of my guilty pleasures in watching "reality" tv. Thanks for sharing with me in my fun, and look for an update on the Brownie Camping trip soon (just give me a little more time to recover!)

Software, Digitial Cameras and More

2008-04-29T11:21:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I am surfing and having fun and I ran across this wild site that has great information on software, camreas, phones and laptop pc.

It's great! The first article I noticed was about a boaster pack to switch Windows XP stuff to Vista. Well, now it's a great idea, and with Vista becoming the only thing you can get now, it is probably needed, but you know that I am loathe to give up my Windows XP. I like it, and I am used to it and I just don't feel like learning something new right now.

What was even better though was the next couple of posts were about digital cameras, and I am in the market for a new one. The $5 digital camera I got off Ebay last year is about to bite the dust, but then again I have gotten my moneys worth out of it so far in the past year that I have had it, but I knew when I got it that it would not be a longterm thing, as it was a model that was no longer made, but it got my going and got my feet wet in the whole digital camera realm.

So if you are surfing and you need something to look at, this is a great site to check out! Thanks!

The Bachelor: London Calling - April 28

2008-04-29T08:59:00.001-04:00

The Bachelor: London Calling
April 28th Episode - From three to two

So although there are three roses here, we start tonight with three girls; Amanda, Chelsea and Shayne. After full day (and night) dates one girl will go home and two will remain to go with Matt to London to meet his family.

I think the meet the family should be fun to see and I am looking forward to how they like the best of the two he chose.

To be honest with you, I have been thinking all along that Matt has been making a mistake keeping Shayne. Sorry to all of you out there that like her, but she is young and although she says she is intelligent, I can't see here and we have never seen her really hold and intelligent conversation with Matt. I think she is only there because she is cute and he is attracted, but I don't think she is marriage material, at least not right now.
So this will come as no surprise, I was hoping he would send Shayne home last night, but I was surprised at who he did send home. I have visited the fan forum boards and those who sleuth out things, and I can say that I think it was a surprise to a number of people.

Last night, the beautiful Amanda, seen here on their one-on-one 50's date, was sent home. Didn't see that one coming! Alot of people had her pegged to be the final gal and I think I did too. They had a connection and I could see the same sense of humor in them and all. I realyl thought they could make a relationship work.

This leaves Chelsea and Shayne to go to London, and of the two, I really think that Chelsea is so much more like him and that they could make a good long-term relationship work, but I am not getting my hopes up. I so want to see one of these shows end in an actually marriage and a good realtionship. I guess I am just a romantic, but I want everyone to find love and have a good relationship.

So, on to next week and what it might bring when the family gets to met Shayne and Chelsea!!

Software Review Blog

2008-04-24T09:41:00.001-04:00

So I'm wandering about the internet reading blogs, what else am I suppose to be doing, besides it's fun!

So I come across this website that offers asoftware review on different things.

I like the reviews, I think they are clean and they give you information and links to what they are talking about. Not sure where the author is from, but they are defintely not a native English speaker, because sometimes you have to read a sentence two or three times to understand what they are meaning. You know, that is ok. I don't have a problem with that part, I think that is just part of the whole internet experience, and to see what people in different areas think about different software is great too.

So, thinking about software or making money, then check out the site. I say the making money because there are also a few website reviews too, in addition to the software reviews.

Top Chef Chicago - April 23

2008-04-24T09:01:00.000-04:00

Last night was Top Chef night, and boy did I need my Top Chef fix! It was great, in fact I even watched the re-run of it right after the original, two hours of Top Chef, what could be better? Well, blogging about it of course.

Okay, so the Quickfire Challenge is to make a dessert. Now to preface this challenge Padma even says if you have watched in the past you know that dessert has been the downfall of many a chef. So explain to me why we have people who have no idea what to do going into this? Antonia says she has never mae a dessert? Excuse me? Once you knew you were going to be on Top Chef, and espically her who said she practiced for the palette challenge, wouldn't you be learning at least one or two desserts that you could do when the challenge came? Why are you not prepared? I was floored!

To be honest though, I was surprised, all the dishes were pretty well received. Antonia, Mark and Spike (or Andrew, they are beginning to look alike to me) were in the bottom. Dale, Richard and Lisa were in the top, with Richard winning for his Bananna Scallops. I actually thought his dish looked good and I would want to try it. I liked Dale's too.

Elimination Challenge, after a trip to Second City they get a five course menu. The audience at Improv throw out a color, and feeling and a food, and that was what each course was to be. This time, they were allowed to pick their own teams, and so Richard and Dale teamed up, and I thought ok, this will be good. Those two cook alot alike and they get along well, so there can be nothing bad come out of this one, and I was right as they ended up winning for their "Green Preplexed Tofu".

Andrew and Spike teamed up and made a squash soup, which during the PI's Antonia says during the last team challenge he wanted to make soup and she said no, so if he wins with this she is going to throw up....Eat your words girl, he is a better chef than you, because he ended up in the top two, and Antonia was once again in the bottom. Andrew and Spike were "Yellow Vanilla Love" and they made a Squash soup with a Vanilla Creme Fresh. It actually looked good and the comments were all good.

Now that being said, and before I move on to the bottom two, I have to say that the comments from the judges and people eating the dinner, were once again all good. The food has stepped it up a notice, and even the bottom two were good dishes, so it came down to technicalities for the bottom two. This is awesome! i can't remember a season where the quality of the dishes were this high throughout, where all the dishes were good, no on bombed and they have to knit-pick to get to the bottom. I loved it! I am so pumped for the rest of the season!

Antonia and Lisa teamed up and were suppose to make Polish sausage but they added a little Chrizo at the end to the dish instead. Okay, wait....you were given a theme, stick to it. And at the end, judges table, shut up and listen! I wanted to just smack Lisa, but then we all know she is not my favorite. She just wouldn't listen to what they were saying. It was nuts.

Jen and Stephanie were in the bottom too, and I don't think Jen understood that she was to listen to what they had to say either, she was surprised, well. Let's just get to it, in the end they sent jen packing and you know what, I am not sorry. I would have been happy to see Jen, Lisa or Antonia either one go.

Now I just have to say about Lisa, wash your motuh out with soap girl! I am over it! Every time she opens her mouth it is f*&%ing this and f*&%ing that and I am tired of it! I know in the first episode they were all cursing, but once the nerves settled, you hardly ever hear any of them saying anything except when warranted, and then there is Lisa who adds it to every sentence whether it needs it or not. I am done with her, she is negative and doesn't listen. Proven by last week when Dale told her her negative attitude was wearing on people, and she told him to f*&% himself, that right there is an example of the negative attitude, you can't take criticism. I am more than ready to see her go home!

As to who I think might win this? It's between Dale and Richard. They are hands down the best chefs out there this season, and they can cook circles around the others, proven by the fact that no matter who Dale is paired with he ends up in the top, and although Richard had the one bad turn in the bottom with Andrew and Mark, other than that he ends up in the top all the time too. I think it will be exciting to see them continue to cook and wow us throughout.

I think Mark might be in over his head, and I am wondering if he might be going home next week, he does pretty well in the team challenges, as he works well with people, as long as he is with someone strong, he is good, but by himself or with a weak teammate he falters.

Only time will tell.....

What in the world is going on?

2008-04-23T15:29:00.000-04:00

Okay, so a friend sent me this article in an email, and I hope the I have sourced it right, to give credit to who originally wrote it, but this is just too much for me to keep my mouth shut on anymore.

Teen Suspended In Beating Of Special Needs Student INDUSTRY (KDKA) ― School officials in Beaver County have suspended a 17-year-old student for allegedly beating a special needs student unconscious while other students recorded the attack on their cell phones. According to witnesses, the attack happened late last week on a school bus in the parking lot of Western Beaver High School. The 16-year-old victim suffered a concussion and broken teeth in the attack. Witnesses tell KDKA that the eleventh-grader attacked the 16-year-old victim for no reason – saying the assault was not provoked in any way. Though the bus driver reportedly tried to stop the attack, the witnesses say the driver was blocked. At least 8 other students recorded the beating with the cell phone cameras. Parents say they're sickened by what happened. "It was just shocking and appalling that students would videotape it and that someone would even think about hitting someone who was disabled," Linda Lamantis told KDKA. "Our kids are being taught that this is OK, it's acceptable," Lamantis added, "that it's entertainment -- it's funny. And it's not. " Police in Industry are now investigating. Investigators are also trying to determine if some students on the bus actually went as far to bet on the "fight."
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

I have no idea what the world is coming to, but I can tell you that when I was in school this never would have happened. I mean 95% of the stuff going on in the schools today didn't happen when I was in school, and if someone had tried them, they would have been marched to the principal's office for a paddling!
Yep, I grew up with paddling as a staple punishment, and no one ever tried anything like this. Somewhere along the way, we have lost the way.
Yes, before you start complaining, I know that there are people who take the paddling and spanking too far, past the edge of normal to abuse, but you know what, that has always been around, and taking punishment out of the schools has not lessened the numbers of abused children, in fact if memory serves me right, the latest numbers are on the rise.
The problem is that kids have no sense of right or wrong anymore, they are allowed to get away with too much, even if they are "punished" for something, the time-outs and taking away things just do not send the message that a good paddling did! I mean, look at the state of our schools. This is not the first case of a beating being taped, I think there have been at least four in the last week, and some ended up on YouTube. Enough is enough, what is it going to take for parents to start being parents again, stop trying to be your child's friend, and demnd respect, teach them right and wrong, and don't let them get away with this crap out of fear that you will hurt their feelings. This is ridiculous. We have taking all the parenting away from parents and the schools no longer have any power over children, and we have a nation full of disgruntled kids that have no idea what is right or wrong and do things like this for fun!
Enough! What is it going to take for enough people to get angry and stand up? I for one do not want any of my children to end up this way, and I refuse to pander to them in fear of damaging their egos.

Freelance Writing

2008-04-23T11:37:00.000-04:00

If you haven't figured this out yet, I am going to let you in on a little secret, I love to write! I love to read as well, and being able to write is just fun for me. I have always dreamed of writing a book, or at least supporting myself with my writing, but I never knew where to go or how to start.

I started my blog in the beginning because I was trying to sell my handcrafted items, and although I still make them and sell them, they are more a relaxation for me than a business. I still love to make them and that is the reward. As my attitude and thoughts changed, so this blog changed. I started talking more about family and the kids, thinking it would be good for my brothers who are in Kansas to see the kids and what is going on, but I can't get them to read them anyway, so it became more of my journal. The more I read about blogging and writing, the more I realized that I could take any topic and write on it, it would develop my skills as a writer and I would learn more.

Recently I found some freelance writing, online writing opportunities through this website, and although I am not sure of my skills at this point, I am so excited. The idea that I could one day be writing for other people, that I could learn and practice and get better at writing to the point that one day I might even be able to get that book in the back of my mind out and into print, that is just exciting.

Why do you blog? Do you tell a story, the story of your life and your family and your day, or do you blog to share information? Do you blog for the fun of writing or is it work? I love to hear from others, and that is one thing that is big to me, comments. That is how I get better as a writer and learn, comments from others. I would love to know why you blog, why you write and what you think. Thanks for sharing!

Looking for Workboots?

2008-04-23T09:23:00.002-04:00

My Dad is one of those guys that has to wear special workboots in his job, you know the stell toed things, and Mom and I have always been looking for them, because they aren't always the easiest things to find, and when you do find them there isn't alot of selection.

Well, I just came across a website for work boots, and it looks pretty good. They offer free ground shipping on orders over $50, and you all know, if you know anything about workboots, that making an order at that level is not hard to do. They even have to steel toed shoes that look more like dress shoes, instead of your typical work boots. Those are the ones that my Dad likes and that he wears in his job at the factory. They also seem to be the harder ones to find than the others. We used to have to buy his through the Union because we couldn't find them anywhere else. Good to know there is an option now.

Well, I think I need to do a little more looking around. Father's Day is coming up and that sounds like a pretty good excuse to do some shopping, and with Free Ground shipping on orders over $50, that is just another reason for me to do some shopping.

I'm off to spend some money! Check them out if you have a chance!!

Dancing with The Stars - ResultsShow - April 22

2008-04-23T08:53:00.001-04:00

Last night was the results show on Dancing with the Stars, and you know, that means another star went home.

Marlee Matlin and her dancing partner, Fabian were in the bottom two, and they were annouced as in the bottom at the very beginning of the show, which I hated.

They shared bottom two, or the red light with Mario and Karina, and while I know that Marlee was not the best dancer, I would have been fine with Karina and Mario leaving last night, but alas that was not to be as Marlee and Fabian were sent home.

You know, I loved watching Marlee dance. I know the fast dances were her downfall, but then what did you expect. I am just so amazed and proud of her to see a deaf woman get out there and do as well as she did.
She learned the slower dances and looked great, and she tried as hard as she could on the faster dances, but they were too hard, which says nothing against Marlee. I think she is a wonderful actress and person and I am just so proud that she risked it and got out there on the dance floor and showed they what she had.

For next week....well, I personally have just had enough of Karina, her personalty is just wearing on me, so she and Mario can go. Then Shannon Elizabeth and Derek, although I love watching Derek, she just still has not figured out how to look like a woman on the dance floor, no hips, and she can cry all she wants, in dancing the hips have to be there, and no just there, but overly exaggerated to show up. I think she is starting to learn to move the hips, but not enough to show up. Personally, I think Kristi wins this season, there is no one that can even come close to her, but then there is Mark Ballas bad luck, last year he had one of the best dancers in Sabrina Bryan and got kicked off way too soon, but still I think she wins it all. As to who can go the whole way with her....well, really, no one else is anywhere close.

Okay, so next week we get two dances. Let's see how they do!

The Sugar Camp Quilt

2008-04-22T17:46:00.006-04:00

The Master Quilter

2008-04-22T15:22:00.004-04:00

The Master Quilter
by: Jennifer Chiaverini
Elm Creek Quilts Novel, book six

So, Andrew and Sylvia grew tired of everyone at Elm Creek Quilts planning every detail of their wedding, although they knew their friends were only doing it out of love, enough was enough, so behind their backs and in complete surprise, Andrew and Sylvia turned the annual Christmas Gathering into their own wedding. Now that the shock has worn off, the Elm Creek Quilter's turn their attention to the Wedding Quilt. Andrew and Slyvia got married without a wedding quilt, and Sylvia being the driving force behind Elm Creek Quilts, well they had to come up with a master plan.

In secret, they appeal to quilters all over to send in a quilt block of their choice that makes them think of Sylvia, and once in they will assemble them into the Master of all quilts.

The problem is secrets, once secret leads to more and more, and as the story unfolds we find that each person at Elm Creek is hiding something that would best be dealt with together.

The book is broken up into mini-books, or a group of chapters devoted to one person, and then as you read the next person so see a completely different view of what was told in the frist person, so it is told by someone else. The way tht Jennifer was able to weave these together is masterful, she wove a sotry better than a quilt and it was wonderful, and really kept me interested and looking forward to how another person saw what was going on and what would eventually happen. In the end, all came out for the best, but the twists and turns were amazing! I loved they way she wove this story!

Loving Sports

2008-04-22T11:35:00.002-04:00

Loving Sports here in the Midwest. I'm a big sports fan, what about you?

I know it's only April, but all I can think about is only four more months and football will start again! I love football, high school, college, NFL, even my son's little Upward Flag Football league. And my love of football is a little strange in that I was born and raised and still live in the land of basketball, Indiana. Yup, everyone around me loves basketball, and I can live with or without basketball, it is not a big deal to me. Now football, that is another story!

It's no wonder that football is my son's favorite sport, or that he has played flag football for two seasons now, and he is only in second grade. When football is on, we are watching every night of the week, Thursday (college games on tv), Friday (local high school games), Saturday (the local college), Sunday (NFL) and Monday (NFL). That leaves only two days of the week that we have to do without.

Not only do I love watching football, get a bunch of people together and I love playing football! What could be more fun on a cool fall day, than running and throw a football around, and what a great thing that families can do together, because even with four or five you can have a blast playing football in the yard, you don't have to have a full team. And what great exercise! I mean, have you tried to outrun an eight year old lately? It's not as easy as it sounds, and it's fun.

You know, sports are another way to get families involved with each other, and nothing is better for the development of young kids than to spend time with their parents, and sports helps us spend time with our kids, do fun things, learn and exercise all in one event. What more could you ask for?

So what about you? Do you like sports? What is your favorite?

The Bachelor: London Calling - April 21st

2008-04-22T08:34:00.000-04:00

The Bachelor: London Calling
Monday April 21st Episode

Last night the four remaining women each took Matt home to met their families. Okay, now I don't know about you, but this is a big deal to me. I didn't take alot of guys home to met the family, in fact there were a couple there that I would not take home, but then again I knew that they were just a short-term thing anyway. The premise of this episode has always bothered me, I mean, you haven't known him that long, he is dating these other women at the same time and yet you are taking him home to met the family.

Shayne:
Okay, so I didn't watch alot of this one. Sorry, but one look at her mom, and my face hurt! I couldn't watch her! I mean really, the lips the face, can we say too much botox? Something was wrong and it looked awlful. It was suprising to see her sister look so much like her, down to the actions, although from the conversations, I would say the younger sister is a little more mature than Shayne.
Can you tell she isn't my favorite? Sorry folks, but I have just not liked her from the beginning, and then when I found out she was Lorenzo Lamas' daughter I liked her even less, and mainly because to me it smacked of a set up, not of true romance, and I am the romantic at heart, I want someone to find true love.

Noelle:
This was great. I think it was a good time and they got to know each other and have fun, but a little too late. Noelle really didn't get much time with Matt throughout the show and she has hung around because others were more trouble and needed to be gone, but I just don't think they ever got the chance to connect and develop, and Noelle admitted that part of that was her fault in that she was a little slow to open up, well, duh! You are dating a guy with 25 other women, I'd hold back too! I just don't think this is the right venue for her. I think she is a great woman and will make someone very happy, but she needs more time to open up to someone and this was not the best place for her.

Chelsea:
I think this again was a great visit. I think they had fun and he loves that about her, and I think he got to see that although they are alot of fun, she can be serious.
I loved the outtakes at the end of the episode when they went back to their date and getting oldtime pictures made, it was jsut so much fun and showed that they have a great time together. Is that enough for a realtionship? I don't know, but I think they might have a chance.

Amanda:
So she decides to pull a prank on Matt and hire a fake family, and they are over the top, and it was funny, and the best part is that Matt loved it! He couldn't believe that she pulled one over on him and that she got him, and he loved it! You know, I really think that Amanda and Matt have the same type of humor and love the same kind of jokes. Now is that more best buddies or a relationship, I am not sure yet, but I think it holds well for them.

So far, I am thinking that Amanda and CHelsea have the most in common with him, they have the laughter and the romance, whereas there only seems to be romance with Shayne, nothing more than a physical attraction. I think Amanda and CHelsea would make a better fit with him, but we will see where it goes.

What do you think? Did he make the right choice? And who is your favorite?

Wild West Brownie Overnight

2008-04-21T12:18:00.003-04:00

So Friday night is the Wild West Brownie overnight.
Please come prepared for any weather, and remember closed toe and heel strudy shoes for hiking.
We will met at Beuhler's parking Lot, down by True Value and car pool over to the campground, meeting at about 6:30 at True Value.

Here is the schedule as I got it from the Council:

2008 Wild Wild West Overnight Schedule
EVENING - Friday April 25th

7:30pm – 8:30pm Check-In and set up sites
8:30pm Campfire (Western stories and songs) Bridge house Porch
10:00pm Ready for Bed
11:00pm Lights Out & Quiet Time

DAY - Saturday April 26th

Have breakfast before the day begins! (this is something our troop will bring - anyone have ideas on what you want me to bring? We will have one large cooler to keep all out cold food in....)

9:00am Opening at the Flag Pole (in playfield)
Group assignments will be given out at this time
9:20am – 9:50am First Station
9:55am – 10:25am Second Station
10:30am – 10:45am Morning Snack (PROVIDED)
10:50am – 11:20am Third Station
11:25am – 11:55am Fourth Station
12 Noon – 1:00pm LUNCH (on your own...this means the troop brings, again we will have no access to a kitchen, so ideas on what you would like would be great!!)
1:05pm – 1:35pm Fifth Station
1:40pm – 2:00pm Afternoon Snack (PROVIDED)
2:05pm – 2:35pm Closing ceremony & SWAPS @ the playfield
2:40pm – 3:00pm Clean up & Check out*

The stations will be:
1. Western Jewelry
2. Western Wear
3. Western Transport
4. Western Spirits
5. Western Games

It sounds like alot of fun, and the stations of activities they have for us to do sound wonderful, I think all the girls will have a good time.

As of right now, I still have not received our cabin assignment, but I have Leader's meeting tonight, so I will check on that. Thank you Joe, Courtney's dad for volunteering military type cots for us if we are in the great rooms and need them.

I will be calling everyone this week to confirm meeting time and such! Looking forward to it, also please be thinking about what we want to pack for Breakfast and Lunch, as we will NOT have access to the kitchen, so it needs to be good cold!

Top Chef Chicago - April 16th

2008-04-19T11:06:00.003-04:00

So, tax season is behind us and I can have a real life again, so I treated myself to Top Chef and a couple of books, which I will blog about later.

This episode of Top Chef starts with Jen in a funk about Zoi's departure and with a bit of a chip on her shoulder. I wonder if that chip will still be there once she gets to watch the episodes and realizes that Zoi was called out two weeks in a row for lack of seasoning?

So the Quickfire Challenge is pairing food with beer. Okay, I know so of you out there are thinking, what? Beer is beer, they all taste the same, well I am sure all those big name lavels do tend to taste the same, but small, local micro-brewed beers are another thing completely. I don't drink mass marketed beers, but there is a little brewery in town here, Upland Brewery, and I do like a couple of their beers.
I was a little put off by Nikki's comments, that beer to her means fried foods, and that a coupld of them seemed to think beer was beneath them. I wonder how they would have faired on the vending machine challenge or the quicky mart challenge of past seasons.

Some of the foods were good, so missed big time, but in the end Jen and her chip on the shoulder won the Quickfire, and she claimed it was all because she had something to prove with zoi leaving, maybe that Zoi wasn't that good of a cook and she was better?

The Elimination Challenge was to Tailgate for a Bears game. Some of these people looked so lost! Have you never cooked real food? It reminded me of a few years back when Harold said something was beneath him to cook. Yeah, well, this is a test, lets see how good you really are.

I loved that we got to see the comments of alot of the people eating the food, and i was really surprised when they seemed to like everbody's food, but at the same time I am thinking how can you flub up a tailgate? Really!
I also loved Dale's reactions when he realized that he was serving food to Gale Sayers (a Chicago Bears legend) and then Richard Dent and William "The Fridge" Perry, also both bears Legneds from the 1980s SuperBowl fame. I thought it was great, and the way he was so humbled to be serving them, he really got the challenege and the meaning, this was more than just cooking to him, he was serving local legends and he rose to the occasion, so I was pleased that Dale won this challenge.

In the bottom, we had Nikki, Ryan and Mark. Okay, so Mark had no clue, he had never seen American Football, knew nothing about tailgating, and picked the wrong grill. I think he thought that picking the other grill would help him stand out, but it just messed with his flow and timing. He was constantly having to fix the fire and flame, and he was just rushing around and a complete mess. I didn't want to see him go home over this one challenge, I thinhk he is better than that.

Nikki, tried to make a New York classic, which might have went over at a Giants or Jets game, but not at a Bears game, then to top it off she ran out of half the food before the judges ever made it to her table. Not good, poor planning. I would have been okay with her leaving.
Ryan, well, Ryan just made it easy on the judges. He went with way too high class food, this was a tailgate party not a luxury box catering, and then to top it all off, he didn't even make the food well, and it was not good. Okay, so Ryan, pack your knives and go. I am glad. He was just really flying under the radar until this point, and then he talks the whole episode about this all being beneath him, or at least that was the vibe I got from him, so I am glad to see him go.

Now, I have to talk about Lisa. Lisa, Lisa, Lisa. Dale apogolizes for yelling at her the night before, that her negative attitude had just got on his last nerve and he is sorry. I have no problem with this. I think she does have a negative attitude and what does she turn around and say, that Dale apogolized that SHE made him mad, she calimed he could go *&$% himself. Well, no if you would just calm down a little bit, quit flinging the curse words around you might realize that he was right. The girl has driven a nail in the other nerve with me. At this point, it will be none too soon when Lisa and Spike leave for me. I am over them and really don't want to watch them anymore.

So what did you think? Did the right person win? Did the right person go home? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Discover Spring Mill Event

2008-04-15T10:26:00.003-04:00

Saturday was the Discover Spring Mill Event hosted by Girl Scouts, and my troop of Brownies went, although it turned out to be a cold day, and a couple of girls had to stay home due to colds, those that went had a good time.

The first event was a trip to the Gus Grissom Memorial Museum in the park. Gus was the second man in space, and flew the Liberty Bell and Gemini rockets. He was born and raised in Mitchell, IN; which is were Spring Mill State Park is, so the perfect place for the Memorial Museum. The girls did a scavanger hunt in the museum to look for and find interesting facts about Gus. I think they had a good time. I know Maeve did because she spent all day Sunday telling Nana and Papaw and anyone else that would listen everything she learned about Gus and the early space program.

The next event we headed to was Clogging. The girls got to learn a few basic clogging steps and then put them together into a dance. It was so fun, and since it was pretty cool out that day, this really warmed them up.

After eating a brief lunch, we went on a two mile hike, which was suppose to go down to one of the caves, but with all the rain we have been having around here, we couldn't make it to the cave as the path was washed out, under water in one area and there was no way to go around. It was still fun, and believe me my legs are still feeling it!!

To end the day, we went to the Pioneer village and looked in all the houses. We also went to the meeting house and learned to play games from the time period and made a "leavings doll". It was called that because it was made from the leavings, or scraps left over. After games, they went to the leather shop and learned how to make candles! The wax was beeswax, and so the candles smelled like honey.

All in all it turned out to be a great day, and the girls learned alot about the past!

Discover Spring Mill

2008-04-11T15:20:00.002-04:00

Discover Spring Mill State Park
Saturday, April 12th, 2008
9am to 3pm

Calling all Browines in Troop 441!!
For those of you who signed up to go on the trip to Spring Mill, it is this weekend. Here are the details.

Please meet in the Beuhler's Parking lot, down near True Value between 8-8:15am. We will carpool from there, leaveing the parking lot by 8:30.

Check In at Spring Mill is from 9:30-9:45am. Then events are scheduled throughout the day.

Please bring:
Sack Lunch,
Change of clothes (at least one, if not two, including shoes)
sunscreen,
bug spray
long pair of pants.

Please wear:
strudy, closed toe and heel shoes for walking

I will be bringing some snacks for the day, but if you would like to bring something to share with everyone, that would be wonderful.

I think it will take us two cars to get down there, and about 45minutes. It should be a great time!!

Top Chef Chicago - April 9th

2008-04-11T11:49:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I am a couple days in getting this up, sue me! I'm sorry, but it's tax deadlines and I am tired!

So this week starts with the Palate challenge, you know the one they are blindfolded and have to taste test things and identify something. Great! They only told us who was the lowest and who had the top three scores, I really wanted to know everyone's numbers!!
Antonia won, getting 12 of the 15 tastes correct, not bad. Ryan and Jen tied with 11 or the 15 correct. You may be saying Ryan? Jen? Yeah, that is what I thought. Ryan is the forgetable guy that was paired with Mark last week and Jen is the mohawked girl in the relationship. yeah, I know they are both forgetable. i really wanted to know where Spike landed in those numbers....hum, I'm thinking maybe 7 or 8, maybe a 9. Then there is Zoi, and I am thinking she probably didn't do too good, 7.

Another team challenge. okay, enough already, I want to see them cook and fall flat on their faces themselves, no more team challenges, please!! So we have four teams, Earth, Water, Air and Fire.....let's see what they can do.

Fire:
This team is Dale, Lisa and Stephanie. Okay, Stephanie deserves a gold medal for dealing with Lisa, and I personally though Dale did a good job of not going off on Lisa, until the last two minutes of the show, but still. They fought tooth and nail on the menu, a first course for 80 people on a $500 budget. The finally decided that Stephanie would do a chile rubbed shrimp, dale a chile salad and Lisa bacon.
Let me move on as say that this team rocked it. The food was good, loved by all and they ended up your winners. Now, of course only one can win the prize and Ming, the guest judge decides to award it to Lisa for the bacon, becuase it was something he had never seen? Excuse me? Come to my house, I have been cooking bacon in the oven, weighted to lie flat for years!! Okay, so I don't add the miso, but still, something new? Do you not get out much Ming? What's the deal?

Air:
Well this team is forgetable. Ryan and Jen and whats-her-face, the one that does pasta all the time. Yep, they do duck, and it ends up being decent. It's not the top and not the bottom. It was funny, there were four teams, and this was the first time they only called one team in the top and then two in the bottom, so this team was just there. They weren't good enough for the top, not bad enough for the bottom, which is about all I can say for the people or the meal, I remember the duck and that is about it.

Water:
Richard, Mark and Andrew. Boil-in-the-bag salmon was their main dish. Fish swim in the water, cooked in water, was Richard's reasoning, and I am thinking, ugh. I am not a big fan of the bag cooking thing he did, I was thinking is would make it have the texture of mashed potatoes. I have never really liked the boil-in-the-bag meals anyway. And then Tom said it was mushy. Andrew went back a round and made the fake cavier again, okay, it might get a good review one time, but leave it alone, it can be over done if you do it over and over again. Really. Poor Mark, I think he was completely out of his element with Richard and Andrew, they are not his style of cooks, and I just don't think he had any idea what they food was going to be and what to do with them.
So they end up in the bottom two, and worse than the food.....scales! Yep, Richard either didn't clean the fish, or didn't clean the fish very well. Ming got a mouthful of scales! UGH! Bad, bad team!

Earth:
Antonia, who has immunity, Zoi and Spike, can you say conflict? Spike wants to make soup and Antonia and Zoi don't think that is a good first course? Excuse me? wasn't soup the traditional first course in history? How can you not want to do soup or not think it was a good first course choice? So they go with something more "earthy", mushrooms and beef....whatever.
Can we say bottom two!! This time is was about flavor, no seasoning, which is one reason I am thinking that Zoi did not do well on the palatte challenge, she claims that she is a heavy-handed seasoner, and Gail admitted that the Rosemary was overpowering, but that it was a bd choice to go with the mushrooms, as is you just shouldn't put the two together, but then what did we expect from Zoi....when the chocolate and wasbi won last week she promised us that is doesn't taste good, and since she knows what does and doesn't taste good better than the judges, why does it surprise me about her mixing mushrooms and rosemary, even I don't think that sounds good.

At round table, they decide since the dinners voted Earth the lowest that they are the bottom, and one of them will go, and since Antonia has immunity it is down to Spike and Zoi. Tom says I would like to send them both home and I about wet my pants, thinking please, please, please send them both home! But alas, my dream was not to be and only Zoi went home.

Okay, I am not sorry that she went home. She was in the bottom last week and really seemed to have no clue as to why and so she is defensive and mean when she gets up the next morning, and I am thinking did you even listen to what they are trying to tell you? Two weeks in a row in the bottom, and I am thinking that she was in the bottom in the first week or so too...so really, no surprise.

Spike, you can just go on home next week, although Lisa is going to give you a run for your money on that one. I can't stand her at this point anymore. She was running around the kitchen complain, slamming things, cursing and whatnot, and I am like, see ya! People were complaining about Dale, but I think she is worse. I haven't seen that much from Dale that bothers me yet, yea he thinks he is good, but you know what, so far he has been able to back up hie thinking that with his food, so I have no problem with him, unlike Lisa who is all talk and Spike who is even more talk.

So....what did you think? Did the right person go home?

The Biggest Loser - April 8th

2008-04-09T08:37:00.003-04:00

Okay, so last night was the next to final episode of The Biggest Loser, and guess what, they did something new again! They weighed the final four, and just when the top two thought it was over and everything was going exactly as they wanted, wrench! No, they don't get to vote to eliminate, Amreica does....yep, we get to vote.

So here's the link to vote.....http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser_5/vote/register.shtml You can vote as many times as you like, as far as I can tell from the FAQ pages, and voting opened at 10pm ET on April 8th and runs through 10pm ET on April 10th. So VOTE!

Now, let me talk about who you can vote for....

Roger:

Okay, so this guy is the biggest teddy-bear of a guy I have ever seen, and I have loved him since day one!

He lost 15 pounds this week, which at this point in the competition is almost unheard of. The 15 pounds was his personal goal for this week, because by losing 15 pounds, that put his total weight loss while on campus at 144 pounds, which is one pound more than anyone else in Biggest Loser history! He has the record, at least until next season!

15 pounds, when you lose that much, there is no way you should be below the yellow line, but he is. So vote for Roger. I really think he deserves to go to the final and to win it all. Also, he actually can lose a little more weight and still be within the healthy range for himself.

Mark:

Okay, so Mark get's kicked off and then gets back on campus and manages to wreck his numbers and his brothers while he is on campus enough to get his brother kicked off and then when we only has Roger to work out with, he manages to step it up and lose 12 pounds, but it still puts him below the yellow line.

Okay...so you can vote for Mark if you really want, but I don't see it. Mark is pretty much at his healthy weight range, and I can't see him losing anymore weight. In fact I was a little shocked that he lost this much this week. I don't think he has any weight loss left in him.
Besides that, I just don't care for the guy, and then there are the girls. They were so sure they had thisin the bag, they were pretty cocky in the interviews, that they were sending Roger home, Mark was a friend and they could beat Mark in the end, so they were excited, only to have the wrench thrown in, and now they might not win.

Now, a little on the girls.
Ali has lost more weight than any woman on Biggest Loser, at a total of 99 pounds, but I think she is maxed out, she actually looks a little too thin right now, so I am thinking she has nothing left to lose for the finale.

Kelly, well, she has lost 93 pounds, and she probably has more to lose still than Ali, but I am think not more than maybe 10 pounds.

For Ali and Kelly to have a chance to win this, they have to go up against Mark, who has little to nothing left to lose either. If they go up again Roger, who can still lose another 20 pounds or more, they lose. Personally, I know everyone thinks it's time for a woman to win Biggest Loser, but I would rather see Roger win.

In a perfect world....Roger would win the finale, and Trent (his original partner) would win the at home Biggest Loser part. That would just be perfect for me. They were wonderful, stand-up men and they never played dirty and they were just honest, good old boys and I loved them both.

So now, I've made my plea for Roger....I'm headed back to the NBC site to vote some more, how about joining me? What do you think?

The Bachelor: London Calling - April 7th

2008-04-08T10:23:00.003-04:00

So last night was another episode of The Bachelor: London Calling. Of course I watched it, even though I had to get up early this morning and have my son at the dentist at 7am. What I thought I would tell you this morning, was about the three ladies that left last night. Before you say anything, photos from last night's show are not up on the website yet, so these are pictures taken from the week before.

Kellie:
Oh heavens, what can I say about this girl! I mean really. What did we get to know about her besides the fact that she drinks like a fish and apparently thinks she can hold her liquor but really can't!

Last night was great, Matt sat her down and said, let's talk. He told her she was the life ofthe party but he felt like she liked being with the other girls and drinking more than she liked being with him, so what did she do? She flashed her boobs at him! I mean really?!?! Did she not learning anything from Stacy on the first night? Drinking too much and slipping your panties is not good thing, what would make you think drinking too much and flashing your boobs would be agood thing. The problem is that I don't think she could think!

Everytime she was shown, no matter what date or where at the house they were, she alwasy seemed about three sheets to the wind. All I could think was, her poor mom, what must she be thinking, and then I hope she realizes what a foold she made of herslef when she sees this on tv, and the obvious question, why did he keep her around so long? That one I still can't answer.

Ashlee:

Okay, so we know you can sing, although I wasn't all that impressed with her voice. She seemed so shocked to go home, but Matt had asked her point blank, is there anything more to us than your singing? I mean he was impressed with her singing, and everytime she sang it did things to him, he admitted, but he wondered if there was more to her. And so what did she do? She sang to him again, then when he pulled her aside right before the Rose Ceremony last night and asked about it, she just really had no answers for him. To me, it seemed like she has been able to use her singing to get her places in the past. In the end she said she wantedto be know as more than just the singer, but that is exactly what she put out to Matt, Ashlee the singer, she sang for him every chance she got and when asked hard questions all she could do was smile and sing again.

Holly:
Well, I think this one had some people surprised. She had a one-on-one date with Matt last week, and yet during that date, Matt specifically mentioned at times there were voids in their conversations, that they seemed too comfortable with each other. Okay, now I am all for being comfortable with someone and not having to talk, but this is speed dating, at this point there really can't be the voids in conversation. Then last night when he asked if there were any challengeing questions she had of him, she said no....think of something, anything, it just made her look uninterested in him.

So, we are down to six gals, and they are all going skiing next week, and from the previews looks like a couple of good cat fights are on the way.....

My predictions.....the next two to leave will be Chelsea and Marshanna. Sorry, just don't see it working on those levels. What do you think?

Happy Birthday Maeve

2008-04-07T10:01:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Maeve!!!

Saturday, April 5th, 2008.

Miss Maeve turns SEVEN years old!!

Oh how I remember the day you were born.....

I went to the Doctor on Friday, and Dr Weiler said I wasn't looking too good, and my blood presure was starting to creep up, so if anything funny happened before my appointment the next Friday to call the office, and she gave me a list of things to start looking for, one was throwing up. So Tuesday, Tiernan and I drove over to Mom's house and spent the day, and Grandma Imogene came up and trimmed my hair for me, and we had agreat day. Mom made meatloaf for dinner, then Tiernan and I headed home. All was fine until about 4am, when I woke up and starting throwing up. I wanted until Brad work about 8am to say anything to him and he made me call Dr Weiler, which I did as soon as the office opened at 8:30am. Well, of course she told me to get my little bottom into the office, and so Brad and I loaded up Tiernan in the care seat and headed to the doctor's office, and which point she took one look at me and sent me straight to the hospital. Yep, my blood pressure was way up, and I was having small but constant contractions, so at the hospital they put me on an IV and we called Mom and she came down and I rested that day in the hospital and they did your c-section the first thing the next morning. April 5th, 2001 you were born, weighing in at a healthy 7 lbs 3 ozs.

Now you are SEVEN. I can hardly believe so much time has passed, but it hasm and here you are, growing up so fast.

Happy Birthday Maeve, my wonderful and beautiful daughter.

Dearly Depotted

2008-04-04T17:45:00.008-04:00

Dearly Depotted
By:Kate Collins
A Flower Shop Mystery, book 3

Dearly Depotted starts on July 4th, the day of the big party that Abby is doing the flowers for at Trudee DeWitt's and also her cousin Jillian's wedding. Which happens to be about three weeks after the end of book two, Slay it with Flowers, which is probably one of my favorite things about this series, one book is just a continuation of the previous without long gaps between the events.

So you know, with Jiilian's history, this is not going to be smooth. Jillian's calls many times throughout the day threathening to run away, to call off the wedding, and Abby can't let that happen, Bloomers needs the money that the wedding is bring in bigtime!

Of course, it wouldn't be a Flower Shop Mystery without a death and an investigation, which of course will have to involve Abby and Marco, who gets roped into standing in at the wedding for a fallen groomsman, who happend to sprain his ankle the day before the wedding playing tennis.

You know, the character development is great. Abby and Marco have been trying to build a possible relationship since book one, they know they are attracted to each other, and they tend to do things together, but is it enought to build a relationship one. This is great, it is not a hop into bed on first sit kind of relationship, it's a slow growing thing, and that is great. Too many books anymore have the romantic characters hopping into bed together at first chance and it dooms the story and relationship for me.

i am enjoying this series, and Abby's playful yet tough, smartass attitude is great, it sounds like me when I was younger, read before kids here, and so I think that is part of the draw of the books. That and there is is humor in everything, it might be a murder mystery but it is done with humor overall, and so that makes it a great light read, and right now during tax season, that is just what I can use!

Take a look, and if you read the book, please let me know what you think!!

12 days to file your taxes

2008-04-03T11:34:00.002-04:00

It's Tax Season, that means, for those of us who work in an industry that deals with tas returns, we are so busy it's not funny, and for those of you who keep forgetting about them, you only have 12 days left to file your returns!

This is my third tax season working for a local CPA office. We have one CPA, one full-time staff accountant and two part-time staff accountants, which doesn't seem like alot, but we get out about 125-150 personal tax returns a year. It's busy!

The first year, it was all new, and I was fresh back into the working world after being at home for seven years to have my kids. So I was excited and enjoying the new role and the praise of being a workign person again, and the adult contact.

The second year was a little rougher, and it wasn't as smooth and I worked more hours over and above my schedule than the first year and so it was losing some of the luster and shine already.

This year, well, it really started losing the luster in the summer. See, I have a nice job, in that I work 30 hours, then in the summer, I drop down to only four days a week, which is great and we are realyl slow around here anyway. Well, this year, about October, the boss told me he wanted me to come back to five days, and I wanted to ask him what he was thinking, because we were slow and I was having to invent jobs to keep myself busy working FOUR days, how was I ever going to fill FIVE days. But he seemed to have no clue! The full-time gal was using personal hours everyday to fill her time, and he saw it on the time sheets week after week, but he refused to let me keep my four days, he wanted me there five days whether I had work or not. Well, that really started to wear on me, and this year it's worse.

I have alot on my plate to do, and I will be told to point one project in the front, then when I get behind on the others, because I did what was told, I get yelled at for being behind. I was told last week that I am "required" to work extra hours each day, and weekends, but there is no such thing as overtime pay around here. I have a family and a life outside of this place, but sometimes I think my boss forgets, because he has no live and practically lives in the office, he thinks we all can too.

Saturday is my daughter's seventh birthday, and he wants me to work. Well, the bigger problem is that other than some leftover filing, I have nothing to do on Saturday. I guess I could come in and play on the computer and let him pay me for it, but that is just not my style. Right now, I am using my lunch hour to blog, because I just need to vent it all out and get it off my chest.

So.....12 days to file you taxes!!

Top Chef Chicago - April 2nd

2008-04-03T08:46:00.001-04:00

Last night was another episode of Top Chef Chicago, and I actually stayed up to watch it, although I was tired, this stupid tax season is realyl taking it out of me this year, and Top Chef isn't on in my area until 10pm.

So the Quickfire is on technique, and you know I think some of them got it and others have no idea what he meant by technique. I liked Dale's, which ended up winning and I like Richard's, but knowing that Richard and one of the other guys whose name completely is lost to me at this moment, have worked for the guest chef before, well I didn't like that, and I was glad that the challenge was won by someone other than someone who had worked for the guest chef before.

The Elimination Challenge was to base one course of a meal on a movie. Well....I had a ton of ideas for that, and I think some of them were great! I was not sure about the first course...Willy Wonka, okay so chocolate and wasbi? But the judges all claimed that it worked at tasted good, although some of the other chefs claimed that it did not. I think they need to taste it before they complain so loudly. Most of the dishes were not that memorable. I think the one I like the best was the one that when teams were picked they thought they wouldn't have a clue together...the one with Mark and the other guy that worked at one time for the guest chef, they ended up picking a Christmas Story, which I personally just can't stand as a movie, sorry, I have just never liked it, but not only did they pick that movie, but they picked a specfic scene, and built the course around that, and it looked good! Ted Allen was even heard saying, I have a never favorite dish, after eating their dish. I was a little surprised that they were not called in the top dishes, I kinda wish they could have known who well they actually did, I think that would benefit them both and encourage them a little.

Yeah, that is an issue for me. I wish that all the teams would get called to judges table and that they would all get comments from the judges on what was good, what was bad and why they were in the top, bottom or middle. I think it would make it easier on them to understand what they are or are not doing. But I know that time doesn't allow them to show that, but I realyl hope that even though we don't see it on the show, that the judges are actually talking to them all.

Anyway, Spike and Manuel end up in the bottom. Okay, so Spike over-rules Manuel and says his style of cooking, well Manuel being a good guy say, hum, I don't know this sytle, but this is a good change for me to learn something about it and so okay....well, Spike can't cook worth crap, the course tanks. In the end, the judges sent Manuel home, but I really think they should have sent Spike. They claimed the Manuel should have stood up to Spike more, but Manuel was very up front about using this as a chance to learn something new, and I think he should be appauled for that. Spike knew how to cook it, and does it all the time, and it failed, so I think the blame should have fallen squarely on him and he should have went home, not Manuel who confessed to not knowing the style.

Sorry, but I think I am over Spike. He can just move on to something else, because he is not as good as he thinks he is and he doesn't take repsonsiblity for the meal. When asked who should go home, he refused to stand up and say, me, it was my idea and my style. He insted said I don't play that game, which meant that he wanted to throw Manuel under the bus and save himself, that alone should have gotten him booted. Oh well, maybe next week!

There are still just too many of them for me to really be able to tell anything about them right now, although I am not liking the couple in the kitchen anymore. I think it is distracting to the others and in poor taste. Just my humble opinion, I would like to hear yours!!! Leave me a comment, let me know what you think and who is your favorite!

The Quilter's Legacy

2008-04-02T19:53:00.008-04:00

The Quilter's Legacy
by: Jennifer Chiaverini
Elm Creek Quilts Novel Series, book five

Sylvia has finally decided to marry Andrew, and when Sarah mentions making her wedding quilt, Sylvia decides to find her mother's quilts, they should be in the attic. Only once she starts looking, Agnes, her former sister-in-law tells her that they aren't there, that her sister Claudia sold them all off. With the help of the Elm Creek Quilters, Sylvia starts looking for them.

This is written as two novels in one, you will get Sylvia in her search and then we switch over to her mother as she grows and learns to quilt. As Sylvia searches for the quilts, we learn the real history behind them from her mother's own story. It is amazing to read, and then the details that didn't get passed down, because we all know that there are just some things about our families that we just don't pass on down to the kids!
I found myself wanting to tell Sylvia what her mother did or said and how much a quilt meant to her, or why she started it or what she did and why she did it! It was an amazing read, and although we follow Sylvia on the journey to find the quilts, we also find out more about Sylvia and her relationship with Andrew grows as well as the relationship of the other ElmCreek Quilters.

Jennifer is an amazing writer, and to be able to tell two intertwined, yet still seperate stories so well, that you never feel one is more important than the other, is amazing and I enjoyed it so much. The first time that she really did this two in one storyline with the Elm Creek Series was the last book, Runaway Quilt, and she does it again in this book, but it fits with the stories that are being told, and just seems to be the perfect way to tell the stories.

If you love a good book, this is for you, and if you are a quilter or just love the history of quiliting, this is a great book. I look forward to reading more and more in this series!

Elm Creek Quilts Novel Series

2008-04-02T19:49:00.007-04:00

Elm Creek Quilts Novel Series
By: Jennifer Chiaverini

1. The Quilter's Apprentice
2. Round Robin
3. Cross-Country Quilter's
4. The Runaway Quilt
5. The Quilter's Legacy
6.The Master Quilter
7.The Sugar Camp Quilt
8. The Christmas Quilt
9. Circle of Quilters
10. Quilter's Homecoming
11. New Year's Quilt
12. Winding Ways

The Runaway Quilt

2008-04-02T19:21:00.007-04:00

The Runaway Quilt
by: Jennifer Chiaverini
An Elm Creek Quilts Novel, book four

You know I love themed series in my books, and I love to quilt, so this was a natural series for me to pick up. The series is by Jennifer Chiaverini and is centered around quiliting, along with life.

This book starts when Sylvia decides to look for the "proof" that her Aunt Lucindia always said was in the attic that the family was a station on the Underground Railround in the Civil War. Upon looking in the attic, Sylvia finds the trunk Aunt Lucindia told her was there, but the proof is not what she expected. In the trunk are three quilts and a journal.

Sylvia's quest to find this information was prompted by meeting a lady at a Quilt Conference who had a family quilt with a picture of Elm Creek stiched into the quilt, but she was from the south, and her family owned slaves, and Sylvia was sure her family helped slaves, so how could they be related or the picture the same place? These questions take Sylvia on a journey to find out about her history.

Along the way, Sylvia finds that all was not as it seemes, and that sometime people are not as noble and fearless ad we thought they were and sometimes the facts of history get confused in the retelling, but the family is still the same family and it doesn't change who people are of the fact that we love them.

This story is told almost as two seperate stories, you have what is going on with Sylvia in the present, which is effected by what she reads in the journal, and the journal is written as if the story if unfold before our eyes. It was amazing to read this story of what might or might not have happend in the Civil War regarding the Underground Railroad, and even in the bad parts, it was still a story worth telling.

Jennifer is am amazing storyteller, and in this book she told two stories that intertwined with each other and brought the reader to the present day, with a better understanding of the past and a hope for the future.
If you like quiliting, or just the rich history of quilts in America, this is a great read. If you are interested in history, and what might have been during the Civiil war, then this is a great read, and if you are just interested in something unquie and enjoyable, then this is a great read. I highly recommned this and the other books in the Elm Creek Series so far.

Brownie Outing

2008-03-29T09:42:00.002-04:00

Just Us Girls - Mother/Daughter Brownie Outing
Belmont Girl Scout Camp Preserve
Saturday, March 29th, 2008 9am-noon

CANCELLED

Due to all the recent rains we have been having here, locally, the road out to the Girl Scout Camping Preserve is flooded over, and with the Flood watches still in effect and the flood stages still rising, the Council made the determination to go ahead and cancel the Just Us Girls Outing.
The road into camp is flooded over and, although I have not seen it, I was told that most cars would not be able to cross the water, and with the water still rising, it was just not safe to try.

I am sorry that we are going to have to miss this, but in the efforts to keep everyone safe, this is probably the best course of action.

I will update everyone on the Spring Mill trip as soon as I have some information.

Thanks!!

EBay Offerings

2008-03-27T09:21:00.003-04:00

So, EBay is offerring a special price on listing fees for items that are listed at starting prices under $1.00.
So what did I do? Well.....I listed the three most recent books that I read, and reviewed here, for sell.

Mums the Word

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150230254374&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005

SOLD Undead and Unwed

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150230255761&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005

SOLD Slay It with Flowers

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150230256858&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=005

So, if you have read the reviews and you are looking to read the book, here is your chance to get it cheap, and in good condition!

Slay It with Flowers

2008-03-27T08:31:00.006-04:00

Slay It with Flowers
by: Kate Collins
A Flower Shop Mystery Series, book 2

So I told you about Mum's the Word the first book in the Flower Shop Mystery Series. Well, now the second book in the series, Slay It with Flowers.

Once again, the setting is the ficitional New Chapel, Indiana and this book is set probably a mere weeks after the first book. That alone draws you in, we see all the characters almost exactly as they were when the last book ended, so there is nothing that has gone on while we were gone that changes them in anyway so it is easy to pick up the story in this book and carry on.

Abby has agreeed to do the flowers for her cousin Jillian's upcoming wedding, which we heard about in Mum's the Word, but this is set around the bridesmaids and the groomsmen all being in town about three-four weeks before the wedding for fittings and to get to know each other, like they all don't already know each other already. The bridesmaids are all sorority sisters, except Abby, and they do tend to fit the steorotype, but what can you say, it's a novel. The groomsmen are all fraternity brothers, and the groom and his brother, Abby's ex-fiance, couldn't be more opposite if they tried! I loved it! What great character development!

Of course, we get to see more of what kind of a realtionship Marco and Abby might be developing and also feel out all the other characters. For all everyone says about not wanting Abby to get involved, or stick her nose into another murder investigation, it is the family and friends that end up encouraging her to get involved again this time! I loved reading the way each and everyone looks out for her, but at the same time wants her help for their own reasons, and that makes the story all the more real and human.

You know, I loved this book. It kept me guessing until the end, and I was pleased and surprised with the outcome. I loved the local flavor again of reading a book set in Indiana, and in fact I think the town and the local college, sound very much like the town in northern Indiana that my husband was raised in, so that makes it more enjoyable to read too.

I want to give you information about the book, and would love to encourage you to read it, because I think it was a fun, easy read, but I don't want to give away any of the details of the book. I just think that ruins the book. So I tried to give you enough to get you wanting to read the book, without ruining the whole story.

I hope you enjoy! And if you do read the book, let me know what you thought! Please!!

Undead and Unwed

2008-03-24T08:53:00.001-04:00

Undead and Unwed
by: Mary Janice Davidson
Queen Betsy Series, book 1

So, Mary Janice Davidson has a new book series out, called the Queen Betsy series about a newly arisen vampire named Elizabeth Taylor, only don't call her that or Liz, Betsy is fine; and by the way, she's heard all the name jokes she would care to here. Only she isn't your typical vampire, none of the gloom and dome with her, she just wants to know where her shoes are.

When I read this book, I just kept picturing Sarah Jessica Parker from Sex in the City when I read Betsy. That is exactly how I would describe her, she is loyal to her shoes, and you need her on your side, a new pair of Ferragamos or Jimmy Choos and she is there!

It's written in a light-hearted manner and Betsy is more flippant than anything, but I did enjoy the book. Although, I think Sinclair is my favorite person right now, he is so more your typical vampire, dark and handsome, mysterious and yet somehow you just want to know him. I want to know know more about him, his history and everything. I am not quite as interested in Betsy, but she does provide for some good lines and keeps it from being a dark series about vampires.

Great read for a weekend. I read it Saturday while making cookies for Easter, so it is a light, fun, easy read. Enjoy!

Queen Betsy Series

2008-03-24T08:42:00.002-04:00

Queen Betsy Series
by: Mary Janice Davidson

1. Undead and Unwed
2. Undead and Unemployed
3. Undead and Unappreciated
4. Undead and Unreturnable
5. Undead and Unpopular
6. Undead and Uneasy
7. Undead and Unworthy

This is a cute little series about vampires, but not the ones that you have read about before, the main charachter is more Sarah Jessica Paker in Sex in the City than Vampire. She may be a vampire, but her loyalty lays in the shoes! Cute read!!

Tutoring

2008-03-22T11:29:00.003-04:00

I think I have mentioned in the past how much I love to read, and I have listed my own reviews on books I have read and then when I read a series I have listed the series in order. Well, have I mentioned that my middle child, daughter Maeve loves to read? And have I mentioned that the oldest, son Tiernan is having trouble with reading?

Right now I am sitting at the public library while Tiernan is in his tutoring session. I have nothing else to think of to do, and I don' want to waste the time while he is being tutored, so I came upstairs to the internet computers, and although I am limited on the amount of time I can be on thise computer, I think I can still get this blog written and posted in that time frame.

Tiernan has struggled with reading since last year, although we were leade to believe from the teacher that it was not as bad as the new teacher this year thinks it is. I don' know if that is a difference in the teachers from first grade to second grade or if it is something else. All I know is that he is well below his grade level with his reading. We asked about having him tested for learning problems, but they don't want to do that right now, at our first parent teacher conference, but at the end of the second quarter, they assigned him to an inclussion teacher, so he does reading in the classroom and then another special reading class later.
You know, I am not real worried about him because he is so smart and intelligent when it comes to math and science and social studies. He rocks those courses, it is only reading that he has trouble with and because he struggles with it, it becomes a daily fight to get him to do homework! UGH! I hate to fight with him over doing homework!

So as a parent, who is concerned about their child, we looked around and found a tutor, not in our school system but a reading recovery teacher from the school system next to ours, and so every Saturday we met her at the library for her and Tiernan to do some reading and for her to work with him. All I can hope is that we can get him to the point were he enjoys to read again, and once he enjoys it again, then I know that he will do better.

Top Momma

2008-03-21T11:11:00.002-04:00

I'm on the Top Momma website!!!!

Yep, I am currently considered a Top Momma, but to stay on their front page, I have gotta get alot of people to click on the picture I submitted....so....this is the picture that I submitted to them.

This is Molly and Maeve playing in the dress up clothes. Maeve is the one in the back in the purple hula-skirt and Molly is in the front in the green outfit. They are sure cuties!!

Anyway....please click on this link: http://www.topmomma.com/mommas/referal/1433 to register your vote for my girls and keep me on the Top Momma front page!

This is something fun I thought I would try, and you know, the thing is I submitted that picture to them in January!! And it is just now making it onto the front page, so I don't know how long I can keep it there, espically if you all don't click and vote to keep it on the front page. I just wanna say that I am a Top Momma for a little while. Please!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Make Me A Supermodel

2008-03-21T08:54:00.001-04:00

Last night was the next to last show in Make Me A Supermodel. You know I was watching, espically since I really wanted Shannon to be gone after last weeks vote, so I had to watch and see what happened.

The one thing I don't like about http://www.bravotv.com/ is that I can't paste any of the pictures onto this blog from there. I can do it with any of the pictures on the network tv sites, which you have seen me do for the last couple of blogs on Dancing with the Stars and Biggest Loser, and I like doing that. I think it makes it more fun to read that just all words.

Anyway, we start off with the vote, who was going home Shannon or Ronnie.....easy, Shannon. Thank you voters! I was really tired of her and her attitude, and you know, last week i said that I was sure we would see a different Holly if Shannon was gone, and you know what? We did! She actually seemed to be having fun with the guys and joking around, and you know I think if Shannon had left a long time ago, Holly might not have gotten so bitchy and cocky, and took the time to get to know the guys and she might just have grown even more. I think this week was one of the better for her, just because she lost all that bitchness. Still, although I think she is thin for the real world, when I was watching the catwalk, I did notice that she had some flab going around the middle, and they did meantion that they hold models to a different standard, and it was more about being toned that flabby, apparentaly she has not been hittign the gym and it shows. Which makes me doubt her as the winner a little.

Ronnie, I was surprised by last night. You know, everyone has said he was too catalog, that was the only place you would see him, and I can picture him in a catalog easily, but the photo shoot last night was as far from catalog as you can get and he rocked it! I loved the comments by the photographer, he really like Ronnie, in fact he really like all the guys alot, and that says alot for how far they have all come.

Perry, even in a photo shoot meant to make him look creepy, he rocked it! I was so loving it, it was great, and he looked good, and the photographer even mentioned it. Yes, he still looks funny in asuit, and you know, I think that the suit they put on him on the catwalk was not fit just right, I think there are better lookign suits out there for him, and although the one judge mentioned the square shoulders, I think like in the goth photoshoot, the way that suit was tailored fit his body better and looked good. I don;t think the problem is him is a suit, but in that particular suit.

Ben, you know i love him. He just reminds me of my brother, and I was blown away by this photo shoot! He rocked it and the photographer enve said so. He has come such a long way, and sometimes I think he is my favorite just because of how far he has come, and in other times I think he just still looks so innocent that I want him to win.

I was really glad to hear the judges say that no matter what, all four of them would work and be well-paid in this industry. That they would book Ben for a fragrance shoot right then. That goes to prove that the vote has been right all along, that these four deserved to be there and that they will work in the industry and make a good living at it. In the end, who do I want to win and who do I think will win? You know, I have no idea how the vote will go, but I really think it is between Ben and Perry, and in fact those are the two it is between for me.

Bunny Breakfast

2008-03-20T14:49:00.001-04:00

Bunny Breakfast

When: Saturday, March 22nd, 2008
9am to 11am

Where: St. Paul United Methodist Church
4201 W. Third Street
Bloomington, IN

Come join us on Saturday for the Annual Bunny Breakfast at St Paul UMC to benefit the St Paul UMC Preschool.

Breakfast will be served from 9am to 10:30am.

Games and Crafts will be available for the kids with lots of goodies given out.

The Easter Bunny will be there from 10am - 11am for pictures.

All money raised goes to benefit the St Paul Preschool.

Come have fun! I'll be there working, along with hubby and all three of my kids will be there. The older two are graduates of the St Paul Preschool, and my youngest is a current student in the preschool. Come check it out and raise money for a worthy cause!

Biggest Loser - Makeover Show

2008-03-20T11:26:00.005-04:00

So this week was the big makeover show on Biggest Loser, and who would be going home. Well, you know, I think I am going to focus more on the makeovers and let you see what I think. I do need to mention that at the beginning of the show, Maggie is voted off and goes home, so no makeover for Maggie. Sorry.

Ali, wow! You know, what more can I say about her. She was voted off, and then came back as the biggest loser at home so far, and you know what, she has Brittany, Kelli and even Maggie beat! She looks so much better than all of them and this dress really shows off how far she has come!
The girl has lost 79 pounds so far and I think she is doing great. She is probably pretty close to her goal weight and her ideal weight at this point, so I don't see her dropping a whole lot more, but way to go this far.

Roger is just a big teddy bear of a guy, and I just love him! Look at him now! Yeah, he is still a big guy, but he has lost so much and he continues to do it and he continues to encourage the younger guys, Jay and Dan, all the time. I love him. I think he looks great and that he has done a great job.
He has lost 121 pounds! That is a small child! I am telling you, this is the guy to watch at the finale! He can still lose a good deal more, so I don't think he is anywhere near his goal or ideal weight, so he could knock them all off the block when he comes in on the finale.

Brittany, well if you didn't know, she left at the end of the night, and I have to say that it was defintely her time to go. This dress looks good on her, although I am not sure what they did with her chest, but it makes them (her boobs) look fake. Must have been some kind of tape to keep them from popping out as she walked the runway.

She has lost a total of 51 pounds and I think she is pretty much at the bottom. I am not sure that she can nor should she loss too much more than this, maybe another 10 pounds, but beyond that I think she is at goal or ideal weight now.

Kelly, you know, I really hope this makeover helped Kelly to grow some self-esteem, because you know I am tired of watching her cry and wimper all the time. She is looking good here, but at the same time you can tell that she still has a bit to go.

Kelly has lost 72 pounds, and I think that she could probable lose another 20-40 before she hits her goal or ideal weight. She is the only girl that I think still has any amount of weight to actually lose anymore. So, if she can stop the whimpering then she can stay for awhile.

Okay, Dan, finally a hair cut! Yeah! He was needing that so bad! And he looks better, still a little goofy, but doing good! He is just such a youngin that it's scary.

Dan has lost a total of 111 pounds so far, and that is incredible. I think he might be able to take a little more off, not as much as Roger, but I still think he has a ways to go to be at goal or ideal weight.

Okay Mark, you're done. You look good, although they really should have shaved you, that scruffy thing looks awlful! I think he is really at goal or ideal weight.

Mark has lost 100 pounds and I think that is about all he is going to lose. You know, he might try to go lower to win, but I think he is at a good healty weight and he needs to go home. Of course I also think he needs to go home because he is effecting his brother and not in a good way. He has too much control over younger brother Jay, point in fact that Jay lost only three pounds working out with big brother this week.

Now, Jay. I love this little guy. He is so sweet and it seems he has lived under his big brothers shadow for far too long. He needs Mark to go so he can grow and become his own man. He does better weight wise, losing more when mark is not there than when he is.
Jay has lost 87 pounds so far, and I think he probably has another 30-40 pounds to go to hit his goal or ideal weight, and I would really like to see Jay stay around, espically with Roger, when mark was gone and Jay and Roger worked out, Jay did so much better. I think he needs another influence in his life right now.

So now you know what I think, how I think the makeovers went and how much I think they all still have left to lose. You know, I like this show and have from the beginning. I think it is good, but sometimes I think people go too far and try to lose under their ideal body weights just to win the money, and that is not good, which is why I said goal or ideal weights. Sometimes a person has a certain weight in mind, but in all reality that weight is too low for their bodies, and they may win the money but they can't maintain that weight and end up putting some of it back on after it is all said and done. I think there needs to be a healthy ideal weight set for the players, and they aren't allowed to go below that weight to win.

RR/RW Gaunlet 3

2008-03-20T09:11:00.002-04:00

Okay, so a new rant for me. Yes, I know that I haven't commented on Tuesday night's Biggest Loser yet (makeover pictures weren't up on the web yet), and then I have things from last night to do. That being said, before you think I have nothing better to do than comment on tv shows, I do, it's just that it is tax season and I am busy at work, so the nights and the tv shows are the relaxation and so I am sharing that with you! Just wait till after April 15th and all the deep and meaningful insight I will share!

Okay, so every now and again I turn on MTV and watch the RR/RW challenges, you know Real World vs Road Rules....yes, I used to watch Real World all the time many, many years ago, say way back in San Franciso. Anyway, I had heard alot of people talking on a spoilers board that I am on about who won this, and I kept thinking no way, it is just no possible, so I watched and I am pissed!!

This was set up as Rookies (those doing less that three shows) and Veterans (those doing more than three shows) and so the Veterans dominated, I mean they won everything, unless they were throwing the challenge. It was so lopsided. So we come down to the final challenge. It's an Army Strong Challenge (product placement! WOW so this is what the Army is doing to recruit young people, paying prize money on RR/RW). The goal is to finish this long course with all you players. Now the Rookies have 6 and the Veterans have 10.

The Rookies are way ahead, mainly because the Vets have one guy, Big Easy, and he is big, and he is slowing them down, but they are fighting. Well, we come to a point where Big Easy collasps, the ref comes out and CT is yelling that they will carry him the rest of the way, and this lady in the striped shirt refuses and calls the paramedics and they take him off. Now, the vets rally and say no matter what they are finishing the race. Now at this point the rookies are on the final challenge, the vets make up the time, catch up to the rookies at the final challenge and actually win the event.

No, MTV can't have that, they tell them because Big Easy didn't finish with them they don't win. Well you know here is my problem with that, they wanted to carry him the rest of the way, but the ref and paramedics wouldn't let them. That is NOT their fault. It's not like Big Easy quit or they left him behind, they did what they were told to do. I am sorry, but the Veterans won, but for some insane reason they gave the money to the whiney Rookies. And yes, the girls on the rookie team drove me nuts! They were whiny and bitchy and if I never see them again then I will be happy.

So, the Veterans were robbed. You know, if the ref hadn't made them leave Big Easy and they left him on their own decision, then that would have be fine, but they were told they could not carry him and the paramedicstook him off, because the ref of the game took him out, they should not have been penalized.

Pictures....nope. No pictures for you on this show because I refuse to go to MTV's website, and you know what, I have decided that I no long will watch MTV. Why? Why did this upset me last night so much? I don't know. The fact that some of the people on the veterans team are almost as old as me now? The whiny, braty rookies, or the comments from the rookies about how they won, like it was all their doing, that they were better than the Vets, I don't know, maybe. Maybe I am just sick of young kids thinking they are entitled to things, that they deserved something they didn't work for or earn. I don't know. All I do know is that this set me off last night and I was pissed.

Man I need to get a real life!!!

Dancing with the Stars - Women's Night

2008-03-19T08:52:00.002-04:00

Dancing with the Stars - Women's night!

So last night the women danced, and I saw most of it, although for the first half hour I was switching back and forth between Dancing and Biggest Loser.

Shannon Elizabeth is paired with Derek Hough. Ok, I have no clue who she is, although I thought I heard a profession poker player, but still, she was pretty decent last night, so if that keep Derek around for awhile, I am all for that one! She is cute, young and did a good job, so I can handle watching her for awhile.

Priscilla and Louie, well....humm, she did well last night and Louis is good, and she is dancing for the older crowd, but I need to say one thing, Priscilla, I hope you sued the pants off the plastic surgeon that did that to your face! She has had at least one if not more BAD face lifts. At this point her cheek bones stick out and her lips have this exaggreated bow pointsto them, and it is really hard to look at her! I feel so bad, and she was and would still be such a beautiful woman if she hadn't gotten that bad surgery! I can handle watching her dance, but not when they show a close up of her face. I am feel so bad about that!

Marisa, I know she is on broadway, I think playing the Ricki Lake role Hairspray, which is great, and I love, love the fact that she is NOT a size two! And then there is Tony!! Oh, how I love to watch him dance too! This will be nice. She did a good job, a little low on content, but it was the first week and I think Tony took it a little slow on her, maybe he has Jane on his mind still, so this should be a good one to watch too.

Monica Seles and Jonthan Roberts, this should be good! She is such a great athlete that it will be fun to watch the committment she puts into this, but she is defintely not a girly-girl. I think she can pull it off though and it will be nice to see. Jonthan, well I didn't like him last season with Marie Osmond, he started looking like a long lost Osmond by the end of the season, so I not sure what I think of him right now. Hopefully it will be fun to watch.

Kristi and Marc, they were amazing last night! I am so excited that Marc got another awesome partner this season, and personally I think it is time for the gals to win. They should have won last season, but I think they have a cast set up for them to win this season! Kristi and Marc could be it! She is graceful and beautiful and although the dancing is not the top, I think she could be. She is determined, just like Monica, so I can see these two putting alot into their practices and doing very well.

Marlee and Fabio (?), okay so we have a new guy, don't know what to make of him yet, but Marlee surprised the pants off me! I knew that she is good and has mastered alot even being deaf, but I wasn't sure about this, but she did great, and I think we will see her for awhile in this! I love her, and I am so excited to watch her. I just hope that having a new guy doesn't hurt her in the competition this season. I would like to see her go far.

So, now you know what I thought....I think it just might be the women's year to take the title, and I would love to see that happen.

Remember, if you want to vote for free, go to the abc website at http://www.abc.com/ and vote for your favorite dancers. And more than anything enjoy the show!

The Bachelor - London Calling

2008-03-18T12:04:00.004-04:00

Did you really think that I would miss this one? Nope! Been watching the Bachelor since the Andrew Firestone season, even though I keep getting disappointed when it doesn't work out, but I am a hopeless romantic at heart, so I keep watching to see one of these actually work out!

So last night was the first ever British Bachelor, and can you complain?!? Nope, something about the accent just makes it all seem right! Yep, I could listen to him all night! The girls, well....let's just say, I did not have pleasent thoughts for some of them and here are a few!

Okay, so I called this girl, messy hair all night. I am really sorry, but I do not remember alot of their names, and since she didn't make it to next week's show, I guess it doesn't matter. I can;t recall anythign about her except that her hair was a train wreck, and I think she might have actually tried to do that, since I saw some bobby pins, but I have no idea why! It looked awlful. I mean, if you are wanting to make a good first impression, make sure it looks good, not like you just crawled out of bed.

This gal was just way out of place. She was a Youth Minister, and the minute she got out of the car and it told on the bottom of the screen that was what she did, I knew she was going home tonight. I think she might have been a great gal, but she was kinda quiet and shy, maybe reserved and this was just not the element she needed to be in. Then there was the bangs, those looked like a bad cut job, so I am sorry to say, she went home. Although it might have been nice to have someone like her around for awhile, the morals and values that she could have brought to the table would be nice for a change.

I think this might be Stacy, but all I know for sure about her was that she drank WAY too much, was obessed with herself and that to try to get the first impression rose, she stuck her panties in Matt's pocket! UGH! At least he even went on camera and said that was just gross! I am sorry, but if you have been doing that to attrach men, then you are probably not attracting the marring kind! Shortly after that, she passed out in the bathroom(?) on a mattress. Not sure where she actually was, but there was a mattress in front of a tub. Warning to future bachelorettes, watch how much you are drinking. This is the second or third season I can remember that someone has been sent home on the first night because they drank way too much, if you can't moderate yourself, then you need help.

This girl, sorry her name is Shayne; once we got a shot of her face, I kept thinking I have seen her before, and then we find out she is an actress. I have to admit, that I was pleased when she told Matt that it was a family business, that her dad and grandfather were actors, and yes he might have seen them, but she didn't mention their names, at least not in the parts we saw. She did admit later in the camera interview part that her dad is Lorenzo Lames, and I was thinking, I remember him, he was hot, and then the next thought is what are you doing here? Are you looking for publicity for a new show you are doing or something? I was a little upset that he kept her around, but he did mention being attrached to her before he knew she was an actress.

Think her name was Robin, and she got down and got funky in the room, not even sure if there was music, but she did this booty shaking thing and I was a little, well grossed out is the best way to say it. Sorry, but I was just not getting it and not sure why she did it when she did, but it seemed a little off, and well, enough said, she went bye-bye last night too. I understand the wanting to get a party started comment, but this was not the place for that. This was not that type of party, everyone was trying to get time to talk to Matt, and I think she blew her time with this dance thing.

Amy, now I don't remember much about her, but when he called her name at the rose cermony I was thinking, why? She is not all that attractive, I mean there are alot of girls that are a lot prettier, and then I thought you know, maybe she is more of a real person that the others, maybe he talked to her and it was a geniune connection, so we will have to wait and see.

Michele, she was one of two gals named Michelle last night, which is nothing new to me! And I do remember her being kinda bubbly and friendly and she played the clarinet. I mean, dig out all the tricks to get him to remember you, I guess. I am not sure that a clarinet is what I would use to get him to remember me, but it seemed to work and so we will see more bout her later. She is also a red-head and the only one I noticed all night, so that might be nice!

Ashlee is a singer/songwriter and she actually wrote and played a song for Matt last night. Now again, this is one that I guestion just a little bit about being here. Are you here to find love and a husband or to promote yourself and your talent? Just have to throw that out there. As you can see, she got a rose so we will have a little more time to figure that out.

Kristine, well, I am at a loss. I don't remember her getting out of the limos, I don't remember him ever talking to her, but she got a rose and will be staying around another week. Humm. Well, at least that gives us time to get to know her a little better.

Okay....so that was my take on some of the girls from last night! What was your take? Are you a hopeless romantic like me and hope that this one will actually work out and we might see two people truely fall in love and get married?

Tune in next week!

Dancing with the Stars - Men's Night

2008-03-18T09:17:00.002-04:00

Okay, so last night was Men's Night on Dancing with the Stars, and you all know that I was watching, because by this point you know that you can count on me to be watching anything reality and voting show-wise because I am just addicted to the stuff! Oh well, at least it is a cheap habit!

Steve Guttenburg is paired with Anna, and all I can remember about her is that she was pair with Albert or somebody last year and was the second to leave, I think. Steve is kinda like having John Ratzenburg on the past year. He is a nice funny guy, but he has a LONG way to go in the dancing. He didn't do too bad and I can see him staying around for a little while.

Adam Carrolla and two time champ Julianne Hough....well, it's about time! Julieanne is a great girl and a wonderful dancer, but two years in a row she has pulled the best athlete in the competition and then the best smiler and won both years. You knew that it had to happen, she was going to get paired with someone that couldn't dance his way out of a box! Finally it happened, she got Adam, who has got to be the worst dancer. You know, I think he might even be worse than Billy Ray Cyrus, and yes I like his music, but he is no dancer, even he said that. So this is the year for Julieanne to leave early, and the earlier the better is all I can say.

I have no idea who this guy is that is paired with Cheryl. His name is Cristian something, and he's latin, but other than that, I know nothing. He is a decent dancer, I mean really, he's latin he better know how to dance! So Cheryl has a chance to stay around for awhile this year. You knew after she won her second title that they would have to give her some bad guys to even it out, and that is what happened, but I think she is getting back up there now. We'll see how this on goes.

Jason Taylor and Edtya, well....I like Jason, he's our token football player this year, and I think he will be a good dancer. He's paired with Edtya, and although I think she is a great dancer, I hate her outfits! She starts out the season okay, then they get skimpier and skimpier, until it's like a string bikin with a skirt! I am sorry, but I have never been able to understand her dresses and that just makes me not want to watch them. Although if Jason dances as well the rest of the season as I am expecting him to do, then they could be there in the end.

Mario and Karina, haven't we seen this before? You know I loved watching her and Mario Lopez dance, although that may have been because I would watch anything with Mario Lopez in it! I liked her that season, she had a softness to her that I have not seen since, and I don't know if that had to do with her and Mario's relationship or what, but since then she has just gotten, well, bitchy. She is a little cocky in the interviews and then she is kinda mean to her partners, and so I am not sure what is going on with her. This Mario is young and good, so watch out, but I am not sure I can handle to much of Karina, unless she softens up again.

Penn and Kym, you know I am really tired of Kym getting all the left-footed guys, I mean after Jerry Springer, she should have gotten a winner! Really!! I would have liked to see Kym and Jason. I think Kym deserves a better partner, but then again maybe Penn will surprise me, but last night was not a good beginning, but then again it wasn't good of anyone, aside from Mario. So I am hoping for good things from Penn because I think Kym deserves better, so I hope he doesn't disappoint.

Tuesday night is the ladies and I am looking forward to that one again. Check back tomorrow for my thoughts on it. Voting online for Dancing with the Stars is free and you can do it at http://www.abc.com/ and that is the ONLY way I vote, if I vote! I refuse to pay money for this stuff!

So who is your favorite?

Extreme Home Makeover Sunday 3/16

2008-03-17T12:06:00.007-04:00

Extreme Home Makeover
Okay, so by now you know I am addicted to tv, and Sunday is my Extreme Home Makeover night and cry-fest! And last night was good!!
Met the Boettcher family, the dad is a Biker Pastor, and before you get all high and mighty, we have a "biker church" in our community, and I can tell you this, that church makes it a point to be involved in anything and everything community and to do things for others all the time!! If you don't believe me, you have got to check them out....http://www.thehop-e.com/

Now, the mom worked non-profit in the community and the daughter has a son with problems, they are all living in a run down trailer, and running a teen ministry out of the garage. Well, you know this will be good.

I have to say, I liked the house and all, but it really was a little bit of a sore thumb in the trailer park neighborhood they live in, I mean everything around them was a trailer, and here in the middle of all that is this house.

I think the best thing I noticed about the whole thing was the ministry. The dad kept saying that his whole goal in doing the show was to inspire someone, somewhere in the world to get involved, to do the same thing in their comminuty to build up the kids, because they are worth it, and they are the future.

You know, I have to go here.....everyone talks about kids, about how they are the future and that they are going to hell in a handbasket, that no one is doing anything for them or with them, that they don't have any common sense, they are doing drugs and killing each other and what ever else you have heard recently. The biggest problem with it.....NO ONE is doing anything about it! Everyone is complaining about the kids these days, but no one is stepping up to do anything. Everyone thinks it's someone else's job. The parents think the schools need to do more, the schools think the parents need to do more and nothing gets done. There are few community programs, but they are all fighting for limited money, and in the end it ends up falling on churches to do anything, because we all know if you want anything done in a community, and you want it done quickly and without alot of government red tape, ask a church.
I mean, take a look at New Orleans after Katrina....who were the first people in to help, churches, who is still there helping, churches. Hummm.....and people are constently saying we need a seperation of church and state, but when it comes down to it and there is a crisis, the same people that don't want church in their schools or gorvenment are the first in line at the church for aid.

So I'm off my soap box and moving on. I liked this episode and I hope, if nothing else, it made you think. Maybe it challenged you to do more in your community and maybe it challenged the way you think about people.

Oyster Aware

2008-03-14T11:58:00.002-04:00

Knock, Knock?
Who's there?
Oyster
Oyster Who?
Oyster the soup before it burns

Okay, so I am no good a jokes, but did you know that eating raw or under-cooked oyster can be no laughing matter?!

For the majority of people, it is no big deal, but if you fall into one of the at-risk catergories, then you might be harmed, becoming ill or worse, from eating raw or under-cooked oysters. How do you know if you or a friend or family member is at-risk? Do you even know the correct ways to fix oysters?

What can you do? Check out the information on Gulf oysters and see if you fall into an at-risk catergory, and even if you don't, check out the information and receipes. Now, receipes, that is what I'm talking about. You never know, you may find a way so much better than what you have tried before.

Make Me a Supermodel

2008-03-14T09:31:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I'm addicted to these new "reality" type shows, and if they are on bravo, even better. Last night I watched Make me a Supermodel.

You know, the only thing I don't like about BravoTV, is that I can't link to any of the pictures of the job they did this week.
First off, they did some crazy "lookbook" thing, and I didn't care for it. Then they went to New Orleans and did a Goth photo shoot in the cemetary! I loved this!! The guys rocked it! WOW! Perry and Ben looked so great, I was amazed! They really fit in the picture and when you look at them, they stand out. Ronnie was good, but he just has too much of a pretty-boy face for the Goth pictures. He did the best he could, but it wasn't near as good as Perry and Ben.
The girls...well, let me say that Shannon got a well deserved kick in the pants! i am sorry, but for the last couple of shows, I have felt she has been extermely cocky and self-assured that she is better than anyone else and that she has nothing to fear from anyone else on the show. Problem is that i have never liked her from the beginning, I think she has been here way too long. Holly, I loved in the beginning, she was so different and innocent, but in the last few shows, she has been hanging out with Shannon too much and becoming more and more like Shannon and I don't like her.
I feel as though the girls have decided that the guys can not be the supermodels, and so they can be mean to them but they don't really have to perform with them if they don't want to because it won't hurt them. Case in point, Shannon just dropped the ball on the Goth photo shoot, and she just figured that Ronnie would take the blame for it and she would be safe. You can tell by the comments that she made in questioning, and the judges caught it. She just placed all the blame on Ronnie and said she did her best, when you could clearly tell she was slacking.

So Ronnie and Shannon are up for vote, and Shannon really needs to go home. Ronnie and Holly can go next week. I really would like to see Perry or Ben win this. My take....Ben reminds me of my brother, who is a state police trooper, so I like him alot. I think he has done a good job, but I worry about his wife when this all airs, how she is going to handle this and how he will feel when he sees the way he acted with Ronnie. I think Ben needs to take second place, and maybe he will still get some good modeling contracts out of it. Holly, I used to like, but she has become so much like Shannon that it makes me sick, so she needs to leave right after Ronnie, which would put her in third place, which is plenty high enough for her. Perry, now this is the man! I could handle seeing him in the magazines and anywhere! And, for all the crap he has been put through with his (ex)girlfriend, I think he deserves a reward, so I put Perry as the winner.

Now...I was trying to link to the video of the catwalk, but I could not get it to work, and I couldn't get a link to the pictures to work either....it is not my day....

http://www.bravotv.com/Make_Me_A_Supermodel/season/1/photos/portfolio.php?e=10