WillowLakeScents

Be back soon...

2009-03-31T09:09:00.002-04:00

Wow ~ over a week since my last post! I've had to take some time off from my "flickering box" ~ my daughter spent a few days in the hospital & I've been trying to make sure everything is ok with her. I'll be back soon!!

Farm Hussy Winner...

2009-03-22T21:57:00.002-04:00

Well, it took me ALOT longer to write out all the entries for this giveaway than I thought it would! With all the extra entries ~ there were a total of 513!! Comment # 204 was the winner ~ shopannies wins this awesome gift package from Farm Hussy!! I'm off to notify the winner. Keep your eye out this week for a couple AWESOME giveaways from April's Cozy Candles!!

~Winners~

2009-03-19T06:13:00.003-04:00

I drew the winners for my 100 posts & 100 followers giveaways !! There were 4 prizes to win, but since I had such a great first day at work yesterday I decided to draw a 5th name for a runner up prize! Before I announce the winners I just want to tell you that there was 1 comment that was not counted (the last one) because as stated in the post, the contest ended yesterday (3/18) & this comment wasn't left until today. Ok ~ now on to the winners!! The #'s drawn were: 53, 27, 9 & 55 . Comment 53 was techyone ~ Bearington Bear. Comment 27 was Military Momz ~ 2 Cookbooks from Cooking Club ofAmerica. Comment 9 was Monkeys ARDently In Sinc ~ Farm Hussy Gift Set and Comment 55 was Caroline ~ Some of my favorite things. The runner up prize winner goes to comment # 20 ~ Woods Olde Homestead (this prize is a surprise ~ think prim!). All winners will have 2 days to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen for that prize!! I'm off to email the winners !! Thanks to everyone for entering & a big thanks to all my followers !!

Today's the Day...

2009-03-18T06:36:00.003-04:00

I start my new job. I've actually been looking forward to going back to work. Until this morning anyway. Today I'm not so excited. After 17 years in Nursing, I should NOT be having panick attacks at the thought of walking into the Nursing home!! I've been there 3 times already for paperwork & PPD tests & was FINE every time!! The second time I went in to have my 1st PPD test checked, I stopped in the hallway to chat with a few of the residents, pushed one woman in her wheelchair to the end of the hall (because it was right after lunch & she was just so stuffed that she didn't have the umphh to push it herself ~ her words, not mine ~ lol) & talked to a couple of the nurses I'll be working with. I left with a smile on my face & the realization that I was ready to jump back in to the work thing. So why am I bawling like a baby & hyperventilating this morning? I couldn't sleep last night at all, so of course this morning I'm exhausted (I'm hoping that's why I'm freaking out today)! And to top it off ~ I won't even actually be WORKING today !! I'll just be watching all the wonderful videos ~ How to wash your hands (duh), Blood Borne Pathogens, Resident Rights, etc. I've seen them all about 100 times & could probably recite at least 1/2 of them word for word. Ok ~ I'm done pissing & moaning ! On a brighter note ~my girlfriend called me last night (we haven't talked in about 3 months) & we're going to see my FAVORITE band in July !! WooHoo ~ Nickelback concert in Hershey!! Hinder & Saving Abel are opening & I love them both too! I missed the concert in Philly this month & was extremely bummed! Gonna go see Bret Michaels in April too. He does some shows every year at a little club that's about 5 minutes from my house (Goodfellas Warehouse) & I've missed his show every time for like the last 4 years! Finally he's there on a Friday night so even if I have to work I can stop at the club on my way home. Well ~ better go get the house in order before I have to leave. Hope everyone has a great day !

GRAND OPENING ~ CRAFTERS IN THE NEWS !

2009-03-15T20:45:00.004-04:00

Today is the Grand Opening of Crafters in the News. An online newspaper dedicated to crafters ! Stop by & check it out ! While you're there you can read the interview I did with Julie from
Farm Hussy ! Don't forget to check out my column every month & read all the great articles, tips & tutorials. Check out the suppliers section for a list of great places to get your craft supplies !

Tartaholic Giveaway

2009-03-15T20:23:00.002-04:00

Michelle is having an awesome giveaway on her Out of the Box Sampler Blog ! How about an awesome tart warmer AND a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Tartaholics ?! The tart warmer is soooo cute & I LOVE Tartaholics tarts !! I've been melting the Rice Krispy Treats scented tarts that I got in my March Out of the Box Sampler & they smell sooo yummy !! Hurry over to enter ~ giveaway ends on Friday !

What I've Been Up To...

2009-03-12T16:43:00.002-04:00

I spent yesterday at the Hollywood Casino here in PA with my MIL & SIL. We had a ton of fun. We didn't win anything, but it was nice to get out & spend the day together ! Today I dug out all my nursing uniforms from the attic & washed them. Cleaned the bathroom from floor to ceiling & did the same in the kitchen. Did some more laundry, cleaned out my closets, vaccumed... Trying to get the house semi in order & clean before I go back to work next week. Yep... I took the job in the Nursing Home & I start on the 18th. Spent some time today searching ebay for scrub tops ( i got rid of ALOT of my tops after I left my last job). Tonight I'm just going to relax with a good book & a cup of hot tea!

It's Spring Fling Time !!

2009-03-10T06:38:00.003-04:00

Head on over to SITS for Spring Fling ! TONS of awesome giveaways going on, you don't want to miss out !! Here's the link to my giveaway !! Have fun blog hopping & entering giveaways !!

100 + Posts and 100 + Followers GIVEAWAYS !

2009-03-08T17:12:00.002-04:00

Well, I'm not sure how it happened, but I've passed 100 posts & didn't even notice ! Not only that, but awhile back I promised another giveaway as soon as I reached 100 followers. So it's time for a giveaway !! Or 2, or 3, or 4 !! I'm combining the giveaways & there will be 4 winners !! Two winners for the 100th post & two winners for the 100th follower !! All comments will be entered into BOTH giveaways !! I'll choose a 1st & 2nd place for each giveaway using random.org
All you need to do is leave a comment on this post to enter! Pretty simple right? So, you're probably wondering what you can win....... 1st place for 100th post is an adorable Bearington Collectible Bear & 2nd place is a set of 2 Cookbooks from Cooking Club of America.....1st place for 100 followers is a Gift Set from my FAVORITE company (Farm Hussy) (after the giveaway ends, the winner can choose which scent they want & I will have it shipped directly from Farm Hussy) & 2nd place will get a collection of some of my favorite products (bath & body, candles, tarts, etc). Unfortunately, my darling daughter has my camera so I'll have to post pics of the prizes tomorrow. If you want extra entries here's what you can do:
Tweet & leave me a comment with your twitter name and/or Blog about the giveaway & leave a comment with a link to the post. Comments for the giveaways need to be left on THIS post !! Winners will be chosen on March 18th & notified on March 19th !

Favorite Things Swap

2009-03-08T16:57:00.005-04:00

WooHoo ~ My "Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap" package arrived the other day ! I got some really great goodies from my new bloggy friend Julie !

Everything was all packed in this awesome basket (I LOVE baskets!!)

Some great bath & body products including milk bath, shower gel, lotion & body spray. An amazing smelling candle (it's been burning all day) & the BEST socks ever ! They're called Hydra Socks ~ infused with aloe & vitamin e !! So soft & warm & comfy !! And of course who could forget the salt water taffy !! I haven't had any since I was a kid (btw ~ it's all gone ~ lol). Julie has some awesome "favorite things" !!

I had so much fun with this swap & can't wait for the next one !! A BIG thanks to Mamarazzi for hosting this awesome swap !!

I think I'm ready.....

2009-03-06T06:46:00.003-05:00

Well, I think I'm finally ready... to go back to work...
I took some time off from nursing after my Grandmother passed away in November of last year. To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd ever go back. I was physically & emotionally drained after caring for "My Princess" for 18 months (the last 7 months equaled 24 hour care & the last 4 months equaled Hospice care, all of which I did on my own, with the exception of the times my children & hubby helped). I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat to have her back, but her death left me feeling empty, like I had no more to give... I got my first job in a nursing home when I was 17 years old (I'm 34 now). Seventeen years of taking care of people. I'm not complaining, I always knew it was what I would do. Well, since I was 4 years old I knew, that's when my Grandmother & I decided my future, so that I could take care of her when she got older. Once I did that, I felt like "my job is done". Little did I know that after 17 years.... it's who I've become.... I take care of people.....and I'm good at it....and I'm kind of lost without it. My hubby pointed it out to me the other day....told me he thought I was ready.....that I'm miserable sitting at home all the time.....and listening to my friends talk about their day at work.... what this resident did.....what that resident said. So, yesterday, I filled out an application for a local nursing home that a friend of mine works at....I know the Director of Nursing there, I've worked with her before... not in this particular facility...she also works in another nursing home as an RN Supervisor. My girlfriend took my application in to work with her yesterday....and the DON called me yesterday & asked me to come in today for an interview....so, I sat & thought about it last night. Am I really ready? Yeah, I think I am. I think it's going to be hard at first.... alot of reminders of my time spent caring for my Grandmother.... but I'm a tough cookie.... I can handle it.... I'm sure some tears will be shed at first..... but it's who I am..... I need to take care of people..... my kids are young adults & pretty much do their own thing. I guess that's why I've been miserable... no one to really "take care" of. I made one other attempt to go back to nursing a little while after my Grandmother passed away.... I WAS NOT ready ! I pulled in to the parking lot of the nursing home I worked at before quitting to take care of my Grandmother, to ask them for my job back...and I burst into tears....I couldn't even get out of the car! I drove back home in tears & decided that that was it... nursing was over for me...guess I was wrong. The hubby noticed this morning, that I'm not as miserable as I have been lately, so I told him about the interview (I hadn't said anything to him...in case I couldn't do it...in case I burst into tears again before ever making it out of my car...in case I just wasn't ready yet). He had tears in his eyes as he hugged me before he left for work this morning.....told me he was glad I finally realized that this is what I NEED to do...that it's who I am.....so I just want to say Thank You to him....for always knowing me better than I know myself.....for knowing what I need before I ever realize it myself...and for supporting my decisions (1st when I needed the time away from nursing ~ he sucked it up big time to cover all the bills...and never once complained... and again for my decision to go back). Love ya Baby !!

Favorite Things Swap

2009-03-04T15:07:00.002-05:00

I took a picture of all the goodies I wrapped up for my swap partner Julie over at

Me and My Crew before I shipped the pkg. out on Monday. I sooooo hope she likes everything !! Thanks to Mamarazzi for hosting this fun swap !!

PIF from Lori

2009-03-03T17:24:00.004-05:00

My mail lady delivered a package today ! Yipee, my PIF from Lori over at
Morning Glories and Moonflowers ! Wrapped so cute too ! Mmmmmmm chocolate.....

Here's a close up of the awesome Pink Blocks she sent me along with the Dove chocolate (which I devoured immediately after taking the pic). The blocks are now on the shelf in my living room in betwee 2 antique cup & saucer sets that belonged to my Great Grandmother. Thank you soooo much Lori !!

Frugal Fancy's Blog

2009-03-03T17:20:00.002-05:00

Frugal Fancy's Blog is listing giveaways !! I submitted mine. Did you submit yours?? Get listed on FrugalFancyBlog today !!

Craft Swap

2009-03-03T13:05:00.002-05:00

April Showers is having a Craft Swap !!Hurry over to play along ~ sign ups end on Saturday (3/14) at 10pm & packages need to be mailed on Monday (3/16). Sounds like alot of fun, I signed up today !!

Save the TaTas Giveaway !

2009-03-03T09:53:00.002-05:00

Jillian is having a great giveaway to raise awareness for breast cancer ~ Please stop by her blog & enter to win this fabulous prize package !

Farm Hussy Review & Giveaway

2009-03-03T06:40:00.008-05:00

Julie from Farm Hussy sent me a box FULL of her awesome products to try (I was expecting sample size products to review, but Julie sent FULL SIZE products ~ one of EVERY product she carries, PLUS some sample size products ~ WOW)! Let me just tell you that this is definitely one of my favorite companies (No, not because she sent full size products, lol ~ because her products really are teriffic!). I absoloutely LOVE the names she has for her products ~ makes me laugh every time I see them ! But aside from making me laugh ~ Farm Hussy products work ! One of my lucky blog readers will be getting a truly awesome gift package from Farm Hussy !! I'll tell you soon what's in it ~ but first I want to tell you about all the fabulous things Julie sent me ! First up is one of my favorite products ( I use this EVERY day) ~ Devine Bovine Butyere in Henny Penny Pinching scent (apple blossom). This body butter is so thick & glides on your skin making it feel amazing ! All Farm Hussy products have just the right amount of scent added. Chicken Scratch Foaming Bath Scrub in Deja Moo scent (citrusy smell) is an awesome scrub ! Lots of great lather & just the right amount of "scrubby" (Not harsh on the skin at all. I've used scrubs in the past that left BIG red patches on my skin from being to harsh!). After I used the scrub on my hands, I really didn't need to use any lotion. My hands felt silky smooth & moisturized. But, since I have all these wonderful products to try ~ I grabbed the Whipped Soy Glace in I Need A Happy Meal scent (ginger peach). I really didn't think my skin could feel any better than it already did, but I was WRONG ! Wow ~ this Soy Glace absorbs into your skin so quick & leaves behind NO greasy feeling at all. I've worked in Nursing for 17 years, so needless to say, I've had to wear latex gloves ALOT & wash my hands at least 40 times a day ! That's pretty rough on the skin ! Now my hands feel like they did when I was younger ~ my skin is soooo soft ! For the next Farm Hussy product, I was off to the tub for a nice relaxing bath with my Bath Fizzle FoShizzle Fizzy Bath Powder in Ginger Lime scent (along with my bottle of wine & a good book). Wow ! This stuff not only smelled great, but once again, Farm Hussy products left my skin feeling amazing ! I'll definitely be stocking up on this product! Also for the bath, I took my Barnyard Vix~Hen Shaving Cream in One Night With A Rodeo Clown scent (VS type) ~ I will NEVER use drugstore shaving cream again ! A little goes a long way with this shaving cream & the razor just glides right over your skin (woohoo, no razor cuts!). So, out of the tub, gulped down the rest of my wine (no, not the whole bottle, just the glass I was drinking!) & grabbed the jar of Cream Of The Crop in O.K. Corral Me scent (reminds me of VS Lovespell). I slathered it on from head to toe & once again ~ I LOVE this product !! Again, this product absorbs quickly into the skin & No greasy feeling ! So thick & silky smooth. A quick spritz with some Iowanna Smell Pretty Hair & Body Mist in Prairie Princess scent (LOVE this scent). My daughter used the Sissy's Silo~tion in I.O.U. 2 scent & loved it (I don't think I'll be getting that back). My daughters' friend grabbed the Udderly Tickled Hand Lotion in Cud Budget scent (Bamboo & Sugar Cane). She loved it so much it disappeared (I'm pretty sure it relocated to her purse as she was headed upstairs). As I was looking at all the teriffic products, I wanted to put the Bath Butter For My Biscuit aside for the next nights bath, but couldn't find it....hmmm. Yesterday morning, my daughter came down stairs & said "Hey mom, I loved that little bath cookie thing, it smelled great". Guess I know why i couldn't find it !
So, you want to know what you can win, right? Here are the pictures that Julie emailed to me of the gift package you'll receive (cows not included)! Gift package includes:
2 oz. Udderly Tickled Hand Lotion
2 oz. Sissy's Silo~tion
2 oz. Devine Bovine Butyere
2 oz. Whipped Soy Glace
4 oz. Cream of the Crop
Farm Hussy Mini Bath Bucket with loofah, sponge & brush
Hussy Bucks Coupons & Candy

WOW !!

So, here's how you can win this great set:

PLEASE make sure I have a way to get in touch with you if you win ! If your email is not available on your blog or you don't have a blog, please leave it in your comments!

First (This one MUST be done for extra entries to count)~ visit the Farm Hussy website & tell me in a comment on THIS post a product you'd like to try, a scent you think you'd like or something that made you laugh! You'll get two (2) entries for that.

Extra entries:

Blog about this giveaway & leave me a comment here with the link to your post for five (5) extra entries

Follow my blog for two (2) extra entries (leave me a comment to let me know you follow ~ must be done publicly since I'll be checking)

Tweet about the giveaway & leave me a comment with your twitter name for another three (3) entries

If you make a purchase from Farm Hussy during this giveaway, leave me a comment to let me know you did & I'll give you ten (10) more entries ! (Julie is having a Depression Regression Special right now ~ a great gift set for only $10.00 !)

And..... if you come up with some other way to spread the word about this giveaway &

Farm Hussy, leave me a comment & I'll give you three (3) more entries for each thing you do !

Giveaway will end @ 9 pm on March 20th & I'll announce the winner on the 21st !

****IF THE FARM HUSSY LINK IS STILL NOT WORKING YOU CAN GO HERE, HERE OR HERE****

****UPDATE 3/5 ~ If you make a purchse from Farm Hussy during this giveaway & mention that you found them on my Blog ~ Julie will include a FREE 2oz. product of your choice with your order ! She's such a sweetie !****

Ryan's having another GREAT Giveaway !

2009-03-02T08:14:00.002-05:00

Click HERE to enter this great giveaway !

Primitive Kountry

2009-03-01T15:38:00.003-05:00

Keri over at Primitive Kountry recently sent me some of her Triple Scent Melties to try. They are the cutest layered wax tarts & they smell amazing ! The red is Apple Jack & Peel, the white is French Vanilla & the blue is Blueberry. The scents blend so well togethter as the tart is melting ! One of the cutest things I think Keri makes is the Wax Dipped Toilet Paper Air Freshener ! What a unique way to "freshen" up your bathroom ! If you have some free time, check out Keri's website ~ you'll find LOTS of great smelling things ! She offers $5.00 flat rate shipping & she's having a SALE ~ 22% off your order for the month of March !!

Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom Giveaway !

2009-03-01T15:32:00.002-05:00

Click here to enter the WooHoo Box Part Deux giveaway at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom ! It's a really GREAT giveaway ! The picture is of what's in the box so far !

Join the Comment Response Team

2009-03-01T15:25:00.002-05:00

March is Comment Response Month. If you's likt to play along head over here & grab the button.

Make a Commitment to respond a certain number of comments a day. While responding to all comments may not be a reality for many of us, responding to 5 may be a good way to thank our readers.

Kreativ Blogger Award !

2009-03-01T10:05:00.005-05:00

Primitive Mom of Two gave me an award today ! It's the Kreativ Blogger Award !

Here are the rules:

List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people...tagging them and letting them know they won! You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KREATIV!

1. My family & friends

2. COFFEE

3. Pens

4. Out of the Box Sampler !

5. A nice hot bath with a glass of wine & a good book

6. ALL my bloggy friends

7. Yummy smelly things (candles, tarts, soaps, etc)

Here's who I'm tagging for this award: (in no particular order)

1.Sheila & Michelle @ 2crazychics

2.Kristin @ a ordinary life

3.Mandy @ auntmannyscreations

4.DiPaola Momma @ chickennuggetsofwisdom

5.Shari @ homespunandprimitives

6.Misty @ m-dcandles (just cuz I know she'll flip ~ lmao)

7.Keri @ primitivekountryhappenings

Ok ~ I'm off to let them know they have an award !

Pumpkin Kountry Marketplace

2009-02-27T20:59:00.003-05:00

Here's another Great online business run by two very talented ladies ! An Online Marketplace ! Do you need a great, affordable place to advertise your business ? Just want to do some online shopping ? Head on over to Pumpkin Kountry Marketplace ! They're running a special right now ($3.00 per week to advertise !). Keri & Jodi are GREAT people to work with ! Have a ?, ask away & they respond almost immediately ! They even have a section to advertise your Blog !

Pumpkin Kountry Hosting

2009-02-26T19:34:00.003-05:00

If you're looking for a GREAT place to sell your products or services, look no further ! Pumpkin Kountry Hosting is an affordable DIY website host/builder ! It's easy to use (& BIG bonus ~ NO HTML experience needed !) and the ladies that own it are AWESOME ! Pumpkin Kountry Hosting has Full websites & Mini websites , you can use your own graphics or graphics from their site (some are FREE). The Mini sites are only $10.00 per month ! Even the Full sites are a great price ~ only $18.00 per month ! Both include FREE advertising on the Pumpkin Kountry Hosting website ! You can check out a Demo on the site to see how easy it is to build your own website ! Marketing Ad Space is available as well as Ad space for Graphic Designers ! This is a great affordable way to get your products on the web ! Check them out !!

*Stay tuned tomorrow for another great business run by these two very talented ladies !!

(Keri & Jodi)

M-D Candles Giveaway

2009-02-25T06:48:00.002-05:00

Misty over at M-D Candles is having a giveaway ! You can win $25.00 worth of products (you get to pick)! So, part of the entry is to get 5 people to follow her blog ~ PLEASE head over & follow Misty & leave a comment letting her know I (Heather) sent you , you'll get 2 extra entries for it !

An Award from Jenn

2009-02-24T15:55:00.003-05:00

The Best Blog Daily Thinker Award from Jenn @ The Village Peddler (BTW ~ she's the one that made my blog header for me). Thanks Jenn !! So now I have to pass it on to 10 other deserving bloggers. Here's my list (in no particular order):

1. Christine @ LiveLaughLove

2. Mindy @ HBK and Me

3. Dana @ MagickMoonSoapWurks

4. Yayastuff

5. Sheila @ The Rusty Rooster

6. Keri @ Primitive Kountry Happenings

7. Mamarazzi @ Dandelion Wishes

8. Lynette @ Crazy Mind

9. Michelle @ Out of the Box Sampler

10. Audrey @ Audrey's Country Crafts

There ya have it ~ off to let them know they have an award !

Noticed a drop in Followers ?

2009-02-23T16:47:00.002-05:00

Have you noticed a drop in your followers ? There's some kind of glitch going on with Blogger ! If everyone goes to their dashboard & below the list of blogs that you follow, you'll see a "manage" button. Click on that & make sure you are following publicly (alot of follows were changed to annonymous). I just went in & changed all mine ~ so I should now be "following" all the blogs that I was before !

Blog Addiction & Spring Cleaning

2009-02-21T15:33:00.002-05:00

Yesterday "The Hubby" accused me of being addicted to the computer, blogs specifically. Duh... what's your point ? He then proceded to tell me everything I "could" be doing instead of reading blogs. I'm well aware of what I could be doing, I just choose to read blogs instead ! Blogging wasn't an issue when he was eating the damn chocolate covered macadamia nuts I won ON A BLOG ! So, in order to keep the peace ~ I started my Spring Cleaning today. I made it as far as my bedroom ~ ha ! Oh well, tomorrow is another day. BTW ~ I made a list today of what "the hubby" could be doing ~lol. At the moment, he's SLEEPING on the couch. I'm pretty sure that was NOT on the list I gave him ! So, here I am in front of "my flickering box" (the computer), reading blogs again ~ lmao !

Followers

2009-02-20T06:51:00.002-05:00

Ok ~ so, I'm at 89 followers (well as of right this minute I am ~ it goes up & down). It's really quite sad how excited I get when I turn on the computer in the morning to find a new follower! So, I've decided that as soon as I reach 100 followers I'll have my next giveaway (I've already been shopping for it ~ lol). If you send someone to my blog to follow me ~ you'll each get 2 extra entries when I post my giveaway ! Just have them leave a comment on THIS post letting me know who sent them to my blog !

Hill Billy Kandles Winners !!

2009-02-19T20:20:00.002-05:00

First place winner is Diana (10 tarts) & second place winner is Stacie (2 tarts). Emails have been sent to the winners (Diana, I contacted you through your website). Congrats !! Thanks to everyone for entering ! More giveaways coming soon lol, stay tuned !

St. Patty's Giveaway !

2009-02-19T17:50:00.002-05:00

http://prayforroy.blogspot.com/2009/02/finallyst-patricks-day-giveaway.html

Ends March 1st !

.....

2009-02-18T19:17:00.002-05:00

Well, today I decided to bite the bullet & start the process of going through my grandmothers' belongings. I had cleaned out her house mostly while my mother was still here (right after she passed away in Nov). I thought that going through the things that were in storage would be easier. Boy, was I wrong. So many reminders of the amazing woman she was. I'm pretty sure she saved EVERY card I ever made or bought for her. I found them all today, along with programs from school concerts & things like that. I also found her wedding dress. I can remember her letting me play dress up in it when I was about 10 years old (that's probably the only time in my life the dress actually fit me). So, I've been thinking of what I could do with the dress. No one will be able to wear it, but I'm hoping I can salvage some of the lace, etc & use it to make something for my daughter for when she decides to get married (hopefully not for a long time). I'd also like to make something for my 2 cousins (her other grandaughters) to have when they decide to get married (again, hopefully not for a long time). I found letters from some of my grandmothers old boyfriends from high school & tucked into a little box, I found love letters that my grandfather had written her before they got married. That was as far as I got. After reading the letters, I couldn't go through any more. I sat & cried for a long time & thought of the amazing love they shared & how much I miss them both every day. I guess I'm not really ready to sort through her life yet. It still hurts too much. Everyone tells me it will get easier, but I wonder if it really will. For now, I guess everything will just stay in boxes.

TUPPERWARE WINNER !

2009-02-17T18:44:00.002-05:00

Ok ~ here's the winning # for the Tupperware giveaway : 69
So, that means that Sashafras WINS !! I'm off to send an email now ! Thanks to everyone for checking out Donna's Tupperware site & I hope you'll keep her in mind in the future !!

Hill Billy Kandles Review/Giveaway

2009-02-11T20:09:00.006-05:00

*ENDED*

I recently came across a great little Etsy shop called Hill Billy Kandles. They have hand poured soy wax candles & tarts that are out of this world. Ya know the saying "good things come in small packages"? Yep, these tarts pack a punch ! I could smell them before I even opened the box. I love the fact that when you order from their shop, your order is freshly made & shipped in 1 day ! There are 42 amazing scents to choose from & the cold scent of the tarts is awesome ! I popped a "Primitive Blessings" tart into my warmer & within 30 minutes my house smelled amazing. I love that smell ~ ya know when you walk into a country/prim store? How they all have that teriffic smell? Now I know what it is ~ Primitive Blessings! As usual when my hubby came in from work ~ he was disappointed to find that there were no baked treats awaiting him. You'd think after almost 20 years with me he'd know that there are ALWAYS tarts melting in my warmer ! So, Hill Billy Kandles generously sent me a pack of tarts to give to my blog readers.

Wanna win some awesome tarts? Yeah, I knew ya did.

FIRST ~ Go to the Hill Billy Kandles Etsy Shop, have a look around, then come on back here & leave me a comment on THIS post telling me a favorite scent or product. This must be done for extra entries to count !

For an extra entry ~ Follow my blog (I heart followers!) & leave a comment to let me know you follow.

If you make a purchase from the Hill Billy Kandles Etsy Shop during the giveaway, leave me a comment here to let me know ~ you'll get 15 extra entries for that !

Giveaway ends on the 19th & I'll choose 2 random winners. The first Prize Winner will get a pack of 10 assorted tarts & the runner up will get a pack of 2 tarts. PLEASE make sure I have a way to get in touch with you if you win ! Good luck !

Balloons For Aiden

2009-02-11T14:26:00.002-05:00

Balloons for Aiden

Widget

2009-02-11T08:34:00.001-05:00

BALLOON RELEASE

2009-02-11T07:02:00.002-05:00

Today is a sad day. Cynthia from Confessions of a Yummy Mummy has to bury her baby boy "Aiden Bug" today. In Aiden's memory ~ many of us will be releasing blue balloons today. If you have an extra minute ~ please join us. If you can't release balloons ~ please say a prayer for Cynthia & her family. My heart aches for this family ~ I cannot even begin to imagine their pain. I just want to let you know, the link in this post takes you directly to the post "Introduction" ~ there IS a picture of Aiden James. If you are offended by this ~ don't click the link. I for one, am honored that Cynthia has chosen to share "the bug" with us here in Blogland. He's a beautiful baby boy & I am so sad for his family. My thoughts & prayers are with Cynthia & her family today & in a little while ~ I'll release 9 balloons (one for each month she carried him with her) & when they have floated away, I'll release 1 more (for he eternity he will spend in her heart). Please join us in remembering "The Bug" today.

Out of the Box Sampler ~ February Box Review

2009-02-09T20:38:00.025-05:00

It's Out of the Box Sampler time again !! And a quick shout out to Michelle for the awesome job she does, not only putting the boxes together, but all the promoting she does !

Out of the Box Sampler is my ADDICTION !! It ROCKS !! Keep up the Amazing job Michelle !

These are the Goodies that were packaged outside the box (food items ~ yummy)

This is what the box looked like when I opened it up ~ Look at all the goodies !

Sooo cute Heart shaped sugar cookie from Primitive Baking Inc. Soooo YUMMY !! (I ate this one 1st)

Chocolate dipped pretzel stick from adrienne mason (this months box sponsor). It just screams Valentines Day ! Mmmmm I love white chocolate ! (this company is Veteran owned ~ big bonus in my book)

2 Yummy candies from Karen & Nancy Homemade Goodies ~ my daughter snagged these but she assures me they were delicious ~ lol.

Cute Valentines Day Bag Topper with tootsie rolls (love me some tootsie rools !) from

Pretty Wrapped Up

Rest assured, each & every one of these delicious goodies were quickly devoured (by me) before my children could get their grubby little hands on them. Everything was packaged in a very cute take out box covered in glittery pink fabric (LOVED the packaging). First up was the chocolate covered cherry (sinful), Next was the red velvet cake bite dipped in white chocolate (OMG ~ I need about a 100 of these ~ my hips don't ,but I sure do ~ they are the most delicious piece of heaven). Onto the chocolate cake bite rolled in crushed pretzels (can you say yummy?), then the super creamy lemon candy (sooo good) & last but not least i popped that chocolate dipped fortune cookie into my mouth ( so light & crunchy ~ loved it). This little box of sin is from Vintage Confectiohttp://vintageconfections.etsy.com & I will so be doing some shopping there (diet? what diet?)

SBS Teas ~ One of my favorite companies sent in Chocolate Decadence soap, a chocolate truffle & a heart shaped pressed black tea. I'm always so thrilled to see their samples in the box !

I Big Red Puffy Heart Memories By Olenka ~ this lady is truly talented (my picture does NOT do this justice). This is a 6x6 scrapbook layout & I LOVE it !! (she's such a sweetie too !)

I am a Prim addict ! These super cute cotton candy scented, hand-dipped grubby candles are sooo cute & smell sooo good ! They're from Strawberry Fields Candles.

Anam Cara Candles sent in a cute little butterfly tart in Dreamsicle scent ~ smells yummy !

Oregon Candle Gels ~ Oatmeal, Milk & Honey scented gel tarts. I LOVE gel tarts ! These smell teriffic ~ one is melting in my burner now!

Soy wax tart in "Love You" scent from Country Light Candle Company. Nice size sample & smells great !

WooHoo ~ JUMBO tart from Things That Make Scents in "shot through the heart" scent ! Add another scent to my list of favorites ! + a 30% discount (I'm all about discounts !)

Gingerbread Soap from Country Heart Gifts ~ nice size sample & has a nice sweet/spicy scent !

Cherry Almond scented bath salts from Natural Goodies ~ Yep, you guessed it, another favorite scent!

Groovy Garden Buttermilk & Dead Sea Salt Bath from Chrysler Creek. This is a very generous size sample (not a scent for me so I'll pass it along).

Park Avenue Creations ~ Heart shaped glycerin soap in Sweet Thang scent (nice light scent) & Amber Romance Body Butter (which my darling daughter snatched right out of my hands & proceeded to run up the stairs with ~ it's her favorite scent so I didn't tackle her to the ground to get it back (ummm... it is still Not Me Monday, right? Just kidding, I really didn't)). Everything was packaged in a pretty red organza bag along with a 20% discount!

HUGE Vanilla Bean scented Bath Bomb from The Rooster Mill (which I'll be taking upstairs shortly with a glass of wine & a book and heading to a nice hot soak in the tub).

A coupon from Ticklish Moose for $5.00 off a $25.00 purchase

Had to show the packaging ~ Love it ! (Purely-Mine)

And what was inside the packaging ~ 2.5 oz. lotion in lavender mist scent (I think I am the only person on the planet that gets a headache from lavender, so I'll have to pass this one along) & 2.5 oz. of Creamy Bubbles in Girlie Girl scent ~ smells great + free shipping on a $25.00 order

So, there ya have it ~ My February OOTB Sampler (which by the way I had to stay up until midnight to buy, because I was terrified they would be sold out if I went to bed & waited until a normal hour). Until next month.............................

WooHoo ~ Package from Hawaii

2009-02-09T20:29:00.004-05:00

I joined in on the swapping fun for the An Island Life 2009 Valentine Swap. There was a drawing for all participant to win a gift package of goodies from Hawaii. Can ya guess ~ Yep, I WON !! My package came today & I am in love with everything ! Here's what I got:

A Beautiful 2009 calender with amazing pictures of Hawaii (now hanging above my desk), A box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts ( these are the only nuts that I like ! Get your mind out of the gutter Misty, this is a family friendly blog), a bag of Mauna Loa Hershey Kisses (they have macadamia nuts too), a cute post it pad with flowers on it & Hurricane popcorn made in hawaii !!

I soooo need to visit Hawaii someday !

My Valentine Swap from Amelia

2009-02-09T20:24:00.003-05:00

This is my awesome Valentine swap from Amelia from the Prim & Whimsy Heart Shaped Tokens of Love Swap. I LOVED everything !! The heart box is too cute (I didn't think to take a pic with the lid off)it has a surprise inside !! The soap is awesome, the Valentine tissues went immediately into my purse & the candy..... well, I LOVE candy lol. Thank you Amelia !!

Transcend

2009-02-09T18:42:00.001-05:00

http://amyclary.blogspot.com/2009/02/have-to-share-it.html

Check this out ladies (but have your tissues handy ~ you'll need them)!

Tupperware Review & A Giveaway

2009-02-09T09:01:00.003-05:00

In this day & age, I'm pretty sure EVERYONE has heard of Tupperware. There was a time (many years ago)when I didn't have a clue what it was ~ lol. My mother in law took pity on me & bought me an amazing set of Tupperware for Christmas one year & I've been addicted ever since! I have an overwhelming need for my kitchen to be organized. My counters contain Tupperware, my cupboards contain Tupperware & my refrigerator contains Tupperware.It feeds my organizational addiction ~ lol ! I'm not big on having "in house" parties, so I love the fact that I can host an "online" Tupperware party & still earn all those fabulous freebies ! There are soooo many teriffic products to choose from, but I always worry when buying something new "What if I don't like it"?. Not a problem with Tupperware ~ they have a 30 day money back guarantee ! It's even a great idea for a fundraiser (I'm thinking of pitching it to my sons' school ~ I'm really tired of all the same same same fundraisers that the schools do !). I've also gotten quite a few great recipes from the Tupperware website !

So, I've teamed up with Donna to offer one lucky blog reader a $25.00 Tupperware Surprise Package ! Here's how you can win :

1. Visit Donna's Website ~ come back here & leave me a comment on THIS post telling me about your favorite product. That's 2 entries. This step MUST be done for other entries to count!

2.Follow my blog & leave a comment to let me know you do ~ that's 1 more entry.

3. If you place an order with Donna during this giveaway ~ leave me a comment to let me know you did ~ that gets you 20 extra entries ! Yep, you read right,I said 20!

4. If you host an online party that starts during this giveaway ~ let me know in a comment ~ you'll get 15 more entries for that !

5. I Heart Bloggy Love ! So, if you blog about this giveaway, leave me a comment with a link to your post ~ 10 more entries for you !

Giveaway runs from today (2/9) through 2/16. Winner will be chosen & notified on 2/17

PLEASE make sure I have a way to contact you if you win ! Good luck everyone !

Not Me Monday

2009-02-09T06:44:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Here's what I did not do this weekend:

I did not have a huge argument with my husband this weekend, spend most of Sunday in tears or try to cover my red swollen eyes with makeup.

I did not suggest I need to be medicated to put up with my family.

I did not drink 2 entire pots of coffee myself on Sunday & then lie to my husband about it (I'm allergic to caffeine ~ why on earth would I drink that much coffee?), nor did I spend my entire Sunday with severe chest pain from drinking 2 pots of coffee.

I did NOT spend umpteen hours in front of the computer this weekend catching up on blogs I follow.

I did not seriously neglect housework that desperately needed to be done this weekend, nor did I put off for the 1,001st time going through my Grandmothers things that I got out of storage because I just CAN'T deal with it right now.

I did NOT spend hours reading the Twilight book that I swore I was not going to read.
And I did not spend most of the weekend in my pajamas because I was too lazy to get dressed.

Oh yeah, and I didn't seriously consider strangling my husband because for the gazillionth time he trimmed his beard & left the hair ALL over the bathroom sink & counter !

And I did NOT have soooo much fun writing this "Not Me" post !!

WooHoo Box Part Deux !

2009-02-08T20:04:00.001-05:00

http://chickennuggetsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/02/debut-of-woo-hoo-box-part-deux.html

Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom is having another WooHoo Box giveaway !! Don't know what a WooHoo Box is? Just click the link above to find out !

E.M.'s Launch Party

2009-02-07T21:05:00.002-05:00

Exraordinary Mothers Launch Party ~ Starts Feb. 9th !! There's gonna be tons of fun activities !! LIVE giveaways & Bloggy Love for everyone that attends !! Everyone could use some bloggy love, so make sure to stop by !!

WooHoo~Prim/Country Giveaway !

2009-02-06T21:41:00.003-05:00

OMG ~ AWESOME Giveaway if ya like prim/country !! Do you see all those delightful goodies ?? I sooo need to win this ~ lol !

http://imjustaguywhoquilts.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-giveaway.html

Another GREAT Giveaway !

2009-02-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

Great giveaway going on over at Primitive Mom of Two's Blog ! A beautiful scarf, a stitchery & ohhhh yummy...my favorite, white chocolate hot cocoa mix !

http://primitivemomoftwo.blogspot.com/2009/01/giveaway.html

ENDED

Coco-Zen Giveaway

2009-02-06T19:07:00.001-05:00

WooHoo ~ chocolate giveaway on the dirty shirt blog !! Mmmmm Truffles.......

http://thedirtytshirt.com/?p=2616

Juicy Couture Earrings ~ Giveaway !!

2009-02-06T06:19:00.002-05:00

http://www.zencupcake.com/2009/02/win-juicy-couture-cupcake-earrings-at.html

Zen Cupcake is giving away a pair of Juicy Couture Cupcake Earrings !!

The super cute earrings come in an adorable box that comes to you in the adorable cupcake bag you see in the photo ! Who wouldn't want to win this ?? Check it out by clicking on the link (you'll also be able to see other pictures, including a pic of what the earrings look like). What are you waiting for ??

Lemming Central Valentine Sample Bag

2009-02-05T17:05:00.015-05:00

This was my first time buying (and contributing to) the Lemming Central Sample Bag/Box. I was NOT disappointed ! All the samples arrived packaged in a pretty pink gift bag with hot pink tissue paper & a package of Sweethearts Candies attached ! Not only did the bag look great, what was inside the bag was even better ! Here's what I got:

East Coast Tropics ~ Maile Lei Soap wrapped in pretty red & white paper with a red bow. Very clean, fresh scent ! (+ 10% discount)
What's That Smell ? ~ (2) 1 oz. take out tarts ~ Pink Sugar (one of my daughter's favorite scents!) & Hello Sweetie (I LOVE this one ~ has a nice lemony scent) all wrapped up in a pretty Valentine cello bag with a pink ribbon ! (+ 20% discount)

Lunableu ~ 2 perfume samples packaged in a very pretty Gold Organza bag. First was Cocoa Pink & my daughter is gonna love it ! Smells like a combination of Pink Sugar & Chocolate ~ yummy!!The second sample was Blackberry Noel & I LOVE it ! (+ a FREE EDP or perfume roll-on with any order)

Little Egg Harbor Soap ~ 3 goodies packaged in a cello bag with burgundy & cream ribbons ! First was the Redux Multi-Grain Facial Scrub which is a powder that you mix with water & use to cleanse your face (I can't wait to try this!) ~ has a very clean scent. Then there's Olive Oil Smoothie Soap & Lavender Soap (I'll pass the lavender soap along to someone that likes that scent ~ for some reason it gives me a headache)

Things That Make Scents ~ OMG ~ this is the biggest tart I have ever seen ! Wine Cellar scent which is definitely a new favorite ! Packaged in a pretty Valentine cello bag. I can't seem to put this one down ~ the scent is amazing ! Gonna have to melt some of this one tonight! (+ 30% discount)

This picture does not do the size justice !

Kreations by Kathie ~ 4 Red Hot Candies scented hearts (I'm not sure if these are tarts or soap?) (+ 15% discount)

Ugly Duckling Designs ~ This is the cutest cupcake tart with pink frosting & a red heart in the center ! AND it's in my favorite scent ~ Lovespell ! (+ 15% off retail order). If you haven't checked out this website yet, you don't know what you're missing ! Michelle is sooo creative & has some amazing products on her website !!

Nice Touch ~ 1 oz. sample of Handmade Goat Milk Soap in Victorian Rose scent. I'm lovin' the smell of this soap !

Elementals by Diane ~ Handmade natural soap sample in Lemonaide scent. I love citrus scents & this one is top notch !

SBS Teas ~ This is one of my favorite companies ! Their samples are teriffic & very generous ! Included in the very pretty cello bag tied with a red ribbon, was: Sweetheart Blend Rooibos Tea (has adorable little pink candy hearts in it), Chocolate Decadence Soap which smells delicious, Formed Heart Green Tea (this is something I've never seen before ~ the tea is actually pressed into the shape of a heart!) and of course a Dark Chocolate Truffle (Mmmmmm) (+ 15% discount)

Picture of ALL the SBS goodies !

Lily Gulch Soaps ~ Premium Natural Soap sample in natural raspberry scent and Smoothing Grains Facial Scrub (this one is a powder too that you mix with water). The soap smells like fresh picked raspberries & the facial scrub has a nice clean scent. I loved the simple kraft bag packaging ! (+ 10% discount)

Farm Hussy ~ The name of this company just cracks me up ! They certainly spoil us box buyers! I got : 1/2 oz. of Victorian Tea Rose scented Bath Fizzle FoShizzle (lmao), 4 oz. Fowl Play (directions: rub generously over chafed teets & chapped hides) & 1 oz. Udderly Tickled Hand Lotion ! (+ free 2 oz. product with order) Oh yeah ~ and Valentine candy too ! Everything smells great & I'll definitely be placing an order soon (not only are the products great, but I get a laugh out of the names!)

*Also included was a sample from my company "Willow Lake Scents". If you've read any of my OOTB sampler reviews then you know I don't review my own products ~ lol. But, Lori (my personal stalker) will soon be doing a review of a variety of products from Willow Lake Scents !

This was a GREAT Sample box !

My 2009 Valentine Swap has arrived !

2009-02-05T08:02:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday I got a package in the mail. Hmmm.... what could it be?? WooHoo ~ my 2009 Valentine Swap from An Island Life !! My swap sender was Lori from Morning Glories & Moonflowers & she sent me the cutest things ! First ~ the Valentine Garland is adorable ! It's hanging in my kitchen in front of the window, between two sets of cupboards (you'll have to trust me when I tell you it looks totally cute there ~ I couldn't get a good pic of it). Then there were 3 adorable cupid decorations (silver with silver glitter) that are now sitting on an antique table in my living room. Onto the pretty V~Day bag ~ it's tied with a super cute heart ornament (hanging on a peg shelf in my kitchen now) & inside is WHITE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS ~ OMG they are soooo good !!!!! I've never even seen these PB cups in the stores around here, so Lori took pity on me & sent me a bag of them (I hope she realizes she's now solely responsible for feeding my addiction to these delicious little candies!). Thank you soooo much Lori ~ I LOVE everything !!!!!

*I'll be heading off to the post office today to mail my swaps along with giveaway prizes, door prize & sample packs !!

Hearts for Tuesday

2009-02-03T20:31:00.003-05:00

Tamara from Mad Boastings of a Cheapskate Mom will be attending the memorial service for Tuesday Whitt. She has so very generously made cut-out paper hearts to take with her to the service. In the center of each heart she will place a note,poem,scripture or words of encouragement. Whatever it is that you want to say to Tuesday's family ! You can leave a comment on her blog or email her directly with what you want your heart to say (dawnlight1976 {at} msn{dot}com). PLEASE visit her blog, grab the button & help spread the word. Let's show this family the love & support they so desperately need ! God speed precious Tuesday !

A Virtual "Waggie Ride" for Tuesday

2009-02-03T16:26:00.003-05:00

I found this post on Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom ~ it sums up what I'm feeling perfectly! So "I lovingly steal this " from Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom & hope you'll do the same !

"I know so many of us have been touched by both the story of her family and the loss of Baby Tuesday Witt. I've just gotten to a point where I can see her picture on my blog and not cry. One of our fabulous blogger family members has decided to host a virtual wagie ride on the day of Tuesday's memorial, so that we can all celebrate her life. So I lovingly steal the following from Em in Pursuit"

On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 a.m., the Whitt Family is holding a celebration in Parker, Colorado. They're having a wagon and bike parade to honor Tuesday with one of her favorite things to do - "wagie rides."We all can't be there physically, but we can be there in spirit.See this little button...(thanks Shauna and Bianca! Seriously, you guys rock.)Grab it. Post it. Spread it.And on Saturday, have a little wagon ride yourself. No wagon - go for a bike ride. Too much rain - jump in a puddle. Too much snow - pull a sled. Heck, throw the pooches in the back of a pickup and take a slow drive.Whatever you do - as one person, as a couple, as a family, as a group of friends - take a picture and post it. Then come back to Lee on Monday, February 9th, and add your link to Mr. Linky.The goal is to create a virtual parade for Tuesday, to show her family and friends how her brief life touched so many. To offer support in their time of need. And to maybe bring a smile.We hope we did not over step our bounds in this effort. It is heartfelt, and it is pure. We both felt the need to do something, anything to help these hurting hearts.We hope this does in one small way.Now grab that button and spread the word! "

TAG ~ You're It !

2009-02-03T14:41:00.002-05:00

I was tagged (last month) over at The Downs Gang, by Lori (my personal stalker). So, here's the deal ~ I have to post 25 random things about myself (Boooring!) & tag 5 others to do the same. Here goes:

1. I have complete OCD when it comes to getting my hair cut. If whoever cuts it screws it up (or I thibk they did), I feel the need to "fix" it. Not usually a good idea !

2. I HATE lightning !

3. I don't talk to my dad ~ EVER !

4. I'm terrified of flying (pass the valium please with a double shot of Crown Royal !)

5. I want a new car (something that is NOT a mommy car)

6. I have lived on my own since I turned 15. I also had my first child at that age (NO ~ I DO NOT REGRET IT !)

7. I love to cook & bake (I'll pass on the cleaning ~ thanks)

8. I am addicted to purses/handbags ! My daughter & I have a shared collection of over 200 !

9. I wish I had OCD about cleaning like I do with getting my hair cut !!

10. I LOVE facebook (yes, another addiction ~ at least it's not drugs!). Where else can you reconnect with some amazing friends that you've lost touch with (for like 20 years)?

11. My kids are my life & I think I'm a pretty good Mom (just ask my kids) !

12. Ok, after this one you may not agree with me on the good mom thing. My daughter is 18, lives at home, has no job & is NOT required to do any chores at home. (Like I said ~ I don't regret my life at all ~ I just want hers to be easier !)

13. I've known since I was 4 years old that I would be a nurse ! The main purpose of said profession being to take care of my grandparents when they got old. Couldn't do it for my grandfather (he was a BIG guy & there was no way I could care for him at home) but I did care for my grandmother (My Princess). Now I'm at a loss as to what I want to do (Nursing no longer appeals to me ~ I did what I set out to do)

14. I have 4 pets : 2 cats, 1 rabbit & a baby turtle

15. I want a dog ! A German Shephard straight from Germany please !

16. I should really exercise more instead of complaining that my jeans are getting tight (I have ranged in size from an 8 to a 16 over the last few years ! I'd really like to get back into my size 8's ! I've made it to 12 so far ~ lol).

17. I make a kick ass cheesecake (from scratch) !

18. I also make a kick ass shoo fly pie (my grandfathers recipe)

19. I LOVE NYC !! Guess I'm a city girl at heart !

20. In addition to my purse addiction ~ I also have a clothing addiction ! (DKNY, Hollister Co. , A&F and Aeropostale are a few of my favorites !)

21. Speaking of DKNY ~ that's also my favorite perfume ! Be Delicious.

22. After 20 years together ~ My husband is still the Love of my life !

23. Ok ~ I know, I have alot of addictions ! Out of the Box Sampler is another one ! I regularly contribute my products to the sample box & I would freak out if I missed buying one of the boxes !

24. I have a friend (found him on facebook after 20 some years !) that is an AMAZING artist & I've asked him to take one of my favorite pictures of my daughter & do a drawing/painting from it !

25. I own over 100 pairs of flip flops !

Here's who I'm tagging:
1. Misty at M-D Candles
2. Olenka at Scrapin' Life
3. Lynette at Crazed Mind
4. Jenn at The Village Peddler
5. Suzanne at Trappeus Lodge

Spread The L-O-V-E Swap !

2009-02-02T09:49:00.003-05:00

I LOVE swaps !! So of course when I saw this fab one over at Dandelion Wishes I had to sign up ! You need to head over before Feb. 13th if you want to join in on the fun!! Just click on the button !

GIVEAWAY WINNERS

2009-02-02T07:35:00.002-05:00

I have the winners for the Magick Moon Soap Wurks & the M-D Candles Giveaways !! Please forgive me, my computer is NOT working right today ! I can't copy & paste & the keyboard is not being nice (so excuse any words spelled wrong, etc). I'm going to keep this short & sweet.
MAGICK MOON WINNER = Auntmannys !! I've left a message on your blog & I will email you shortly.
M-D CANDLES WINNERS (Yes, I said winners! Misty decided to have 2 winners ~ the 1st number chosen gets the electric candle & the 2nd number gets an 8oz panel jar candle in their choice of color & scent). So the electric candle winner is ~ Valerie2350 & the 2nd place winner is ~ Teresa M. I'm off to notify all the winners now! Congrats to all & thanks to everyone for entering !

*I used random.org to choose the winners but I couldn't copy & paste the #'s (sorry)

Artfire Giveaway on Risky Beads Blog

2009-02-01T16:10:00.002-05:00

http://riskybeads.blogspot.com/2009/02/february-2009-artfire-giveaway.html

11 Artfire shops are participating in this great giveaway !!

WINNER

2009-02-01T09:56:00.005-05:00

OK, I have the winner for the Valentine's Day Giveaway !! Wanna know who won ?? Well, first let me tell you that because there were so many responses I've decided to draw not 1 but 3 names !! The first name drawn wins the Grand Prize & 2 others will win a smaller gift package !

So, my darling hubby was up & out the door way before I even contemplated getting out of bed & since it's Superbowl Sunday ~ I have NO IDEA when he'll be back ~ lol. So, I got my daughter out of bed (she's really not pleased with me) & had her draw the first name ! So, the name she picked is..........................................................................................................................................................

Stacy (mcginnis135) ~WOOHOO, Congrats Stacy!!

Then I grabbed 2 more pieces of paper out of the bowl & here are the winners of the smaller gift packages .........................................................................................................................................................

Maggie Sue Designs & Kristinia-Loving Heart Mommy !!

OK ~ I'm off to notify the winners ! Have a Great Superbowl Sunday !!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow to see who wins the giveaways from M-D Candles & Magick Moon Soap Wurks !! AND....... another giveaway is coming VERY soon ! I went shopping yesterday & got a really good deal at Bath & Body Works !!

Prayers for Tuesday's Family

2009-01-31T19:31:00.004-05:00

Many of you have been following the story of Tuesday or have joined in on "Pray for Tuesday on Tuesdays". This sweet little girl has touched the lives of so many people all around the world. People like me, who never knew her, but loved her anyway. Her family needs your love & prayers Now more than ever. Tuesday Fiona Whitt lost her battle with cancer on 1/30/09. She was only 2 years old. So tonight, hold your kids a little closer & let them know how much you love them. If your kids are old enough to understand, click here & share with them the story of Tuesday & while you're there, let her family know they are not alone, that we are all thinking of them & praying for them & holding Tuesday close in our hearts !

Organization Giveaway

2009-01-30T18:32:00.001-05:00

http://cynthialovespictures.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-fab-organization-giveaway.html

Oh My Gosh ~ hurry over to check out this awesome giveaway (valued at over $200.00). Need to get organized? Then you definitely need to go check out this giveaway !

Pay It Forward

2009-01-30T07:03:00.003-05:00

I found this over at Morning Glories & Moonflowers Blog & just had to join in. I'm all about Random Acts of Kindness & Paying it Forward !! So, here's the deal... The first 3 people to comment on this post & agree to Pay it Forward to 3 people on their blog will within the next 365 days ~ receive a gift of love from me in the mail ! That's all... just leave a comment &then post about it on your blog, then the 1st 3 people to leave you a comment & agree to pay it forward to 3 more people on their blog ~ you send them a gift ! This is such a GREAT idea. You never know when you'll get a "surprise" gift from a blogging buddy ! SO... Who's first ??

February is Blog Luv Comment Month

2009-01-29T11:09:00.003-05:00

February has been declared Blog Luv Comment Month!! When you see this button ~ leave some comment Luv !! Click on the button now to go to the awesome blog that started it & find out the rules ! My commitment will be at least 5 but I'm shooting for 10 !

Keurig Coffee Maker Giveaway ($250 RV)

2009-01-27T20:41:00.000-05:00

http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/secret-revealed.html

Scentsy Giveaway Ending

2009-01-26T06:35:00.003-05:00

Scentsy Giveaway ends at midnight tonight ! Hurry & enter for your chance to win ! Click here to go to the giveaway post now. I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning !

WINNER : micaela6955/michelep

Magick Moon Soap Wurks Review/Giveaway

2009-01-25T16:37:00.004-05:00

Part of the BLOGGY CARNIVAL list of giveaways ! Hurry to enter them all ! Just click on the Bloggy Carnival photo to take you there !

Ok Folks ~ Another Amazing giveaway. This is from one of my FAVORITE companies ! Dana from Magick Moon Soap Wurks has aggreed to give 1 lucky blog reader one of Magick Moon's newest Valentine Soaps !! I'm jealous ~ lol, I haven't tried this one yet, but I can only imagine that it is awesome ~ ALL of Dana's soaps are awesome !! I have personally tried several different soaps & can say in all honesty that Magick Moon ROCKS !! (US ONLY ~ Sorry)

Here's what Dana has to say about Magick Moon Soaps :

Our products are lovingly created with Magick and Pure Intent. There are no pre-manufactured soap bases, preservatives, harsh detergents, drying agents, parabens, dyes, fillers or synthetics. We make every single bar by hand and from scratch- ensuring you the absolute highest quality available.

Magick Moon also carries Lactose & Gluten Free soaps for people with allergies or super sensitive skin (although I must say that I have very sensitive skin & not one of the soaps I have used has had any negative effects on my skin. In fact, my skin is so silky smooth since I've started using Dana's soaps that my husband has even commented on it!)

Ohhh and the scents! How about Amazing Harvest Apples or Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Raspberry Patchouli is one of my personal favorites !Some of the Magickal Cleansing soaps really grabbed my attention ! Be Wicked, Immortality or how about Persephone's Desire.

Magick Moon Soap Wurks is also starting a Soap of the Month Club !! How cool is that ?? Amazing soaps delivered right to your door each month !

Ok ~ now for the rules of the giveaway. Trust me when I tell you ~ You definitely want to get in on this one !!

Go to Dana's website & choose your favorite product. Come on back here & leave me a comment about it on THIS post. That's 1 entry.

For extra entries:

Follow Dana's Blog for 2 extra entries (leave a comment on this post to let me know you're following)

Follow My Blog & get 1 extra entry (leave a comment on this post to let me know you're following)

If you make a purchase from the Magick Moon website any time during this giveaway, leave me a comment on this post & get 5 extra entries. If you spend over $20.00 ~ you get 10 extra entries ~ just make sure to leave me a comment here on this post to let me know you made a purchase.

If you post about this giveaway on your blog ~ leave a comment on this post with the link & get 3 extra entries !

All in all, pretty painless, right ? You can get up to 18 entries for this giveaway !! PLEASE make sure that I have a way to get in touch with you if you're the winner !! Giveaway ends at midnight on February 1st & I will pick a winner using random.org on February 2nd.

April Showers Giveaway

2009-01-24T20:57:00.002-05:00

http://aprildurham.blogspot.com/2009/01/100th-post-giveaway_23.html

You definitely want to get in on this one !! Super awesome prizes being given away ~ hurry on over & enter to win !!

M-D Candles Review & Giveaway

2009-01-23T15:49:00.009-05:00

Part of the BLOGGY CARNIVAL list of giveaways. Hurry & enter them all. Just click on the Bloggy Carnival photo above!

At M-D Candles, ALL products are made fresh !! No sitting on the shelf for months collecting dust ! That's a HUGE selling point for me, I can't tell you how many candles I've purchased that are just NOT up to my standards(Yeah, who knew I had standards). I was a candle maker for many years & I have some pretty high expectations from the products I buy. At M-D Candles, those expectations are met time & time again ! (US ONLY ~ sorry)

This is the AWESOME Electric Candle that Misty has agreed to give one of my lucky blog readers ! It comes with a tin plate, pip berry garland & bulb. And, guess what ~ the winner can choose ANY scent & color they want !! Yep, like I said ~ MADE FRESH !!

Some of M-D Candles other awesome products include: these beautiful Pillar Candles

Canning Jar Candles

Votives

Tarts

But that is only a sampling of the products offered at M-D Candles !! Some of the mouth watering scents include: Buttercreme Krunch, Cinnamon Stix, Cucumber Melon, Heaven, Orange Patchouli, & Spiced Cranberry. You can see a complete list with scent description on the M-D Candles website.

Misty uses only 100% Soy wax in all her products as well as 100% natural cotton wicks. A HUGE turn-off for me is buying a candle that doesn't completely melt ~ you know, you light the candle & it burns completely down the center leaving a ton of wax in its wake. M-D Candles have a teriffic melt pool & burn COMPLETELY !! That's another big selling point for me ~ No wasted wax. I'm spending my hard earned moolah & I expect to get my moneys worth !

OK ~ Wanna know how you can win that AWESOME Electric Candle?? It's pretty painless, Really. Just go to the M-D Candles website & pick your favorite product or scent. Come on back here & leave me a comment about it (on this post only!). That's all ya really Have to do.Of course if ya really want to win ~ here are a few extra entries you can get:

~Follow M-D Candles Blog & leave me a comment here to let me know you're following for 2 extra entries.

~Follow My blog & leave a comment here to let me know you're following ~ that'll get ya 1 extra entry.

~If you make a purchase from M-D Candles during this giveaway (Misty has a discount on her site right now!), come on back here & leave a comment to let me know ya bought something ! That one gets ya 5 extra entries. If you spend more that $25.00 ~ you get 10 extra entries !!

Comment deadline is midnight on February 1st. I'll pick a winner using random.org & post it here on the 2nd. I'll also send the winner an email, so PLEASE make sure I have a way to get in touch with you !! If I have no email address then I have to pick another winner.

*** As an added bonus ~ if you make a purchase from M-D Candles during the giveaway.... I'll send you a sample pack of products from Willow Lake Scents.... FREE !!!!***

January Out of the Box Sampler Review !

2009-01-22T22:22:00.018-05:00

It's here, It's Finally Here !! The January Out of the Box Sampler arrived on my doorstep this afternoon ! I love the new "box" the samples are packaged in ! So, without further ado ~ here is what I received & my opinion on the products ! First, there were 3 lovely samples packaged "outside the box" (details with individual pictures). "Outside the box" products from M-D Candles, Lucky Dog Treat Company & Sweet Ambs

OMG ~ Look at all the goodies !!

Georgeous Cookie from Sweet Ambs that I almost didn't eat because it was so pretty. Ok ~ so I broke down & ate it ~ YUMMY !! Orange Vanilla Spice flavor.

Top is the packaging for the Sweet Ambs Cookie. Bottom of picture is a package of 6 little doggie treats (shaped like shamrocks) in the cutest cello bag with paw prints on it. The label is too cute !! I don't have a doggie (yet ~ I'm still workin' on the hubby!) so I'm passing this on to a friend that does. This is from Lucky Dog Treat Company

Full size jar candle in Cinnamon Stix scent from M-D Candles. This candle smelled Yummy on cold sniff, but even better once I lit it !! My whole house smelled like I spent the day baking ! Hubby asked what kind of goodies I was baking (he was pretty disappointed to find that it was the candle burning ~ said I really shouldn't tease him like that ~ lmao!). Once again Misty didn't disappoint ! I'm always happy to see her samples in the box !

Mary Kay samples from Tracy Hardesty ~ mineral eye color, mineral cheek color & creme lipstick ~ all in colors that I will definitely use so great sample. Plus 20% off lipstick or lipgloss & 25% off all skin care products ! Next is the cute catnip toy with the Hippie VW Car on it from

Colorado Catnip Toys ~ my kitties are lovin' this already ! Then there is the Nice sized candle in a tin in Mulberry scent (one of my favorite scents!) from Sweet Texas Scents ~ great scent on cold sniff ! And the last one in this picture is a 4 oz. jar of Aroma Beads in Fireside Embers scent from Deborahs Candle Magick ~ Very generous sample & pleasant scent. She also included a 15% discount on 1st purchase & a "special gift" w/ order.

Here we have Bath Salts in Ice scent from Scentimentally You ~ Very nice fresh scent ! Vanilla Pumpkin Take Out Tart from Angel Made Scents (love her tarts !). Cute little gift shaped unscented Shea Butter soap from Luxspa & a nice sized Gift shaped Tart from M-D Candles in Cinnamon Apple scent (another of my favorite scents). Smells Divine !!

Left to Right ~ Cinnabun Tart from Luxspa that smells awesome !! Pine scented Bath Salts from Divine Serenity Salts. I didn't think I was going to like this one at first ~ pine isn't really my thing, but I opened the bag & was pleasantly surprised ! This sample really smells Great !! And the last one is from ME ~ I don't review my own samples ~ lol. So I'll just tell you that it's a Honey Orange Sugar & Shea Lip Scrub.

This is the cutest Flip Flop Tart from Ugly Duckling Designs. Large tart & it smells amazing !! I could smell this one way before I even opened the bag! Plus a 15% discount !! Thanks for the Hint of Summer Michelle !!

Next up is this nice size sample of Lavender Rose Cream Goats Milk Soap. Normally, I HATE lavender, but for some reason I LOVE this sample !! Maybe it's the combination of lavender & rose, I don't know, but this is heading off to the tub with me tonight !! This is from Magick Moon Soap Wurks

Peanut Butter Blossom Melt from Blue Rose Candles. I was VERY tempted to put this on a plate on the table & see who would be the first to try & eat it ~ lmao. I resisted the urge & put it in my warmer instead !

Vegan Coffee Bar Soap from Anitas Crafty Creations. I love that this soap has coffee grounds in it for an exfoliant ! Next is a nice size Gel Tart from Oregon Candle Gels in Oregon Campfire scent. I LOVE that someone has finally made a gel tart !! Nice scent too !

Here we have a very generous sample from My Two Sunshines . A Pink Frosted Cupcake scented tart ~ OMG this smells sooooo Yummy !! & Rice Flower & Shea Yogurt Lotion. I've never tried a yogurt lotion before, so I was excited to get this sample ! It left my hands feeling so smooth & moisturized !! And Rice Flower & Shea is definitely a new favorite scent !!

And last but Definitely NOT least is this absolutely beautiful Valentine's Day card from Memories by Olenka. Let me just say, this is one talented lady !! I will absolutely be heading to her website for all my card giving needs !!

Inside of the card

So, there ya have it ~ Another AWESOME BOX from Out of the Box Sampler !! Teriffic Job Michelle !!

BTW ~ Next months box goes on sale February 6th so you get it in time for Valentin's Day!!

Whimsical Prims ~ Giveaway I won

2009-01-21T22:04:00.004-05:00

SO, yesterday I got a package in the mail from South Africa. I'm thinking to myself ~ I don't know anyone in South Africa! Hmmm.... turns out it's the prize I won on the Whimsical Prims Blog ! OMG ~ Awesome ! I loved EVERYTHING !! By far though my favorite has to be the little Reminder Journal ! (upper left corner of pic) It's now sitting on my desk & already has a few little "notes to self" in it. Thank You so much Lynda ~ I love it all !

I also just won on BNM (button is in my sidebar), but I won't be posting pics of that here ~ lol (adult content). I will say though that it looks like I'll be having a VERY good Valentines Day ~ lmao !!

2009-01-18T20:42:00.003-05:00

Here are your random numbers:31
Timestamp: 2009-01-19 01:41:31 UTC

So, the winner of the door prize is : nanja

Heading of to notify the winner now !!

Oh Yeah ~ BTW ~THE EAGLES SUCK !

No reply from the first winner drawn so I chose another # ~ Here it is

Here are your random numbers:58
Timestamp: 2009-01-21 23:44:51 UTC

So the NEW WINNER of the door prize is :
LARA ..... Hope I win

Going to notify her now ~ hopefully she claims her prize !!

Door Prizes ~ GO EAGLES !!

2009-01-17T22:23:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow the Eagles are playing !! If they win ~ I'll be randomly picking 3 winners for door prizes from the comments for my Valentine Giveaway ! If they lose (that is NOT going to happen ~ please ~ I really don't want to deal with the hubby if they lose!) I'll pick 1 winner. Don't worry though ~ you'll still be eligible to win the Valentine Giveaway ! I'll let the winner(s) know tomorrow night ! GO EAGLES !!

Valentines Day Swap

2009-01-17T20:07:00.003-05:00

I just signed up for this awesome Valentines Day Swap !! Click on the picture to join the fun !

Survey:

~What is your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day? A nice quiet dinner at home with my hubby (no kids allowed)
~In reality, what is your Valentine’s Day really like? Just another day ~ hubby is not very big on Valentines Day !
~If you could have a lifetime supply of your favorite sweet indulgence, what would it be? Definitely Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

~Is there any sweet treat you absolutely do not like? Black liquorice, Anything Cinnamon
~If you fell into a pool of chocolate, how would you get out? Ummm.... Hello, why would I want to get out?????

I'll be sending my contribution to the swap to : # 30 Kristinia ~ Loving Heart Mommy

I'm off to let her know !

2009-01-17T19:35:00.002-05:00

I loved the new blog header I won sooo much ~ so I asked Jenn to create matching Business cards, etc. In a matter of like an hour ~ I had them !! She opened an etsy shop today so go check it out !! Just click on the picture of all my new goodies !! THANKS SOOOOO MUCH JENN !!

Cupcake Giveaway !

2009-01-16T21:05:00.001-05:00

One lucky winner will receive a basket filled with jewelry, cards and tags, magnets, prints, wristlet key chains, bath and body goodies, stickers, and so much more...all in a cupcake theme!

Click on the cupcake button on my side bar to go to the giveaway & enter for your chance to win !!

Scentsy Review/Giveaway

2009-01-16T20:22:00.004-05:00

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED ! WINNER IS : micaela6955/micheleP ~ I'm off to notify her now ! Thanks to everyone for entering !! Keep you eye out for more great giveaways !!

Here it is ~ the promised review/giveaway:

Andreah from SimplyAndreah is giving away a Scentsy Car Candle ! Here's what you need to do to enter:

First ~ Go to SimplyAndreah, have a look around, then come back here & post a comment & tell me what your favorite Scentsy product is. That'll get you 1 entry.

Second ~ Follow Andreah's Blog & you'll earn another entry (don't forget to leave a comment here letting me know you're following her!) (We're at 2 now).

Third ~ Follow My Blog - that'll get you 1 more entry (post a comment to let me know you're following) (That's 3).

Finally ~ If you make a purchase from SimplyAndreah during this giveaway ~ come back here & leave a comment to let me know & get yourself 5 extra entries ! (WooHoo ~ 8 possible entries!)

I have tried several Scentsy products in the past & I Love them ! Their Scenty Bars are highly scented & long lasting & go perfectly with their Plug in Warmers or Full Size Warmers !

You have until midnight on the 26th of this month to get your entries in. On Tuesday morning I'll announce the winner !

Custom Made Blog Header

2009-01-16T17:19:00.003-05:00

Woo Hoo ~ The Village Peddler is giving away a custom made blog header ~ but ya gotta hurry ~ this one ends tonight !!

WOW ~ I WON !! CHECK OUT MY NEW HEADER !! AWESOME !! THANKS JENN !!

Reviews/Giveaways

2009-01-16T16:41:00.003-05:00

SO I've decided to try to help others get their name out there by doing reviews/giveaways for them here on my blog. I've entered a gazillion giveaways, posted reviews for Out of the Box Sampler & I have a ton of fun doing it ! I've joined some awesome networking sites & "met" some great people. There are a ton of amazing, talented people out there & what better way to get your name out there than here in cyber land ! Look for my first review/giveaway coming later today ! And if anyone is interested in having me review your product or host a giveaway for you ~ just drop me a line ~ I'd be more than happy to try to help you "get noticed".

Out of the Box ~ ON SALE NOW !!

2009-01-16T06:26:00.003-05:00

WooHoo ~ it's Friday ! Out of the Box Sampler is on sale now ! I of course was up at the crack of dawn to get mine ! Ok ~ so you're thinknig to yourself ~ she's nuts ! Well I am, but that's beside the point. There are very few things I do just for me ~ my life generally revolves around my family, but that's ok ~ I am completely happy with my life. Every once in a while though I find something that is JUST for me ! Out of the Box is my latest "just for me". The box is filled with samples from some of the best etailers out there (they really are awesome!). Soaps, bath salts, lotions, tarts, candles, etc. So, the box is on sale now (last months box sold out completely within 24 hours !) & if you're like me & looking for something "just for you", I urge you to try Out of the Box Sampler ! Want to know some of the awesome etailers in this months box? OK ~ You twisted my arm ~ here's the lineup :
Sephyrus www.sephyrus.etsy.com
Cocosavon www.cocosavon.etsy.com
Colorado Catnip Toys www.Coloradocatniptoys.etsy.com
Nuturing Beauty www.naturallynuturingbeauty.com
Passion Moon Potions www.PassionMoonPotions.etsy.com
My Two Sunshines www.MyTwoSunshines.com
M D Candles www.M-dcandles.com
Willow Lake Scents www.willowlakescents.etsy.com
Magick Moon Soap Wurks www.magicmoonsoapworks.com
Strawberry Fields Candles www.strawberryfieldscandles.com
Tree Of Life Creations www.treeoflifecreations.moonfruit.com
Dazzle Dott www.dazzledott.etsy.com
The Muddy Moose www.themuddymoose.etsy.com
Southern Charm Soap Co. www.southerncharmsoapso.etsy.com
Gassner Custom Soaps www.gassnercustomsoaps.com
Deborahs Candle magick www.DeborahsCandleMagick.etsy.com
Oregon Candle Gels www.oregoncandlegels.com
Sweet Ambs www.SweetAmbs.etsy.com
K & T Creations www.kandtcreations.com
Laura Lees Tasty Treats www.LauraLeesTastyTreats.etsy.com
Brisil www.brisil.etsy.com
Anita Crafty Creations www.AnitaCraftyCreations.etsy.com
Creative Scentsations www.creativescentsations.net
Angel Made Scents www.angelmadescents.com
Baked by the Lake www.Bakedbythelake.etsy.com
Nemesis Productions www.NemesisProductions.etsy.com
Scentimentally You www.scentimentallyyou.com
One Scrappy Chic www.onescrappychic.etsy.com
Ugly Duckling Designs www.theuglyducklingdesigns.com
Stauners Coffee www.StaunersCoffee.etsy.com
Natural Goodies www.naturalgoodies.net
BlueRose Candles www.bluerosecandles.com
Spa Desires www.SpaDesires.etsy.com
Anam Cara www.kieben.com/anamcara
Sweet Texas Scents www.sweettexasscents.com
Soy Massage Oil Candles www.soymassageoilcandles.com
Memories By Olenka www.memoriesbyolenka.com
Lucky Dog Treat Company www.luckydogtreatcompany.etsy.com

WOW ~ that's one hell of a lineup this month ~ I can't wait to get my box !!

My Princess

2009-01-12T21:15:00.003-05:00

This is "My Princess" on her 80th Birthday (10/4/08)

Anyone that actually "knows" me knows that "my princess" was my nickname for my wonderful grandmother. I moved her from NY to PA in June of 2007. She was 78 at the time & was unable to care for herself anymore. Early signs of dementia were rearing their ugly heads & I begged her to come live with me. She finally broke down & aggreed & I high-tailed it to NY to pack her up & move her here before she had a chance to change her mind. My grandfather had been in a nursing home for several years at that point & there was no way I would be able to care for him at home, so I was making arrangements to transfer him to a nursing home in PA. On June 16th of 2007 my grandmother & I (along with my uncle & my kids) made the 6 hour drive from NY to my house. When my husband & I bought our home it came with a seperate smaller house on the property & this is where my grandmother would live. She wanted to have her own place & that was ok with me since I was right next door & could check on her several times a day. I never realized the process & all the paperwork that goes in to transferring a patient in a nursing home from one state to another & a month later we were still no closer to getting my grandfather here with us. I kept in touch with the administrator of the nursing home in NY & on the 24th of July she called to tell me that my grandfather was not doing well. The morning (very early) of the 25th ~ I once again packed up my grandmother & headed back to NY (picked my mother up along the way). We spent 7 hours with my grandfather ~ thanking him for everything, recalling fond memories, etc, etc. I'm sure the nurses all thought I was a bit looney when I climbed into bed with my "Poppy" & held him in my arms for the last hour of his life, but I knew it was what he would have done if the shoe had been on the other foot (I've worked in Nursing for 18 years & never saw anyone climb into the bed with their loved one). I guess this is a good place to tell you that I was raised by my grandparents & they were my world. So, funeral in NY ~ had my grandfather brought back to PA , another funeral here... in February of 2008 I called 911 for my grandmother (I thought she had taken a stroke). She spent 20 days in the hospital ~ no stroke on admittance , but her coratid artery on the left was 98% blocked! Surgery on March 5th (my mothers birthday) ~ she had a stroke on the operating table & after fighting with hospital staff that I could provide MUCH better care for her at home I was finally able to take her home on the 16th of March. My husband (although he sometimes drives me crazy) is an amazing man ! I basically had to move out of my house & into my grandmothers because she now required 24 hour care. Our days were NOT easy & I struggled with the fact that she no longer knew who I was most days. On one of her "good" days we came up with a code, so that even if she couldn't remember my name she would know that she was loved by me & that she was somewhere safe. When she would get that far away look in her eyes, I would hug her & call her "My Princess" & she would say "thank-you for loving me, whoever you are". "My Princess" was our code & it worked until the day she died. My Princess went to be with her Prince (aka my grandfather) on November 13th 2008 (& yes ~ I climbed into bed with her & held her in my arms) & I miss her like crazy ! Tomorrow will be 2 months & I've been thinking of her all day, so I thought I would share a little bit of "our story" with all of you. Somehow, I feel better now ~ not great, but better...

Another Cute Giveaway

2009-01-12T09:11:00.002-05:00

Nancy is having a great giveaway for her 100th post ! Head on over for your chance to win !

ENDED

Countdown for Out of the Box

2009-01-11T23:34:00.004-05:00

Countdown for Out of the box Sampler has begun !! WooHoo ~ 5 more days til the box is on sale. If you don't know what Out of the Box is you need to hurry over & check it out !! Here's a quick run down though in case you ignore my blatant plea to GO TO THE WEBSITE ~ LOL. Every month Michelle organizes a sample box ~ these are samples that etailers send in in exchange for advertising ( & Michelle does ALOT of advertising). So, the samples are distributed among the boxes (12-17 per box, but lately it's been more ~ i got 20 in each box last month) & go on sale the 3rd Friday of every month. You'll find tons on great goodies like: soaps, lotions, makeup, candles, tarts, along with teas, cocoas, cookies & the list goes on... I first bought a box in Oct. ~ loved it ! Bought another in Nov. ~ Loved it even more. Decided to contribute my samples to the box for Dec. + of course I bought a box (I won a free one too for posting reviews of the products here on my blog). Signed up to contribute to the Jan. box (+ of course I'll again be buying one) which goes on sale Jan. 16th. Just signed up to contribute to the Feb. box(Valentine theme ladies !).So, now I'm counting the days until I can get my OOTB fix !!

Trappeur Lodge Feature

2009-01-11T21:13:00.017-05:00

I met Suzanne on the candle co op forum & was immediately in awe of the photos she had posted of her work. We chatted a bit on the forum & the more pictures I saw the more I loved ! I emailed her for information on how to order from her & pricing for her products & we spent alot of time chatting on the computer. I found out that Suzanne mostly sells locally & by word of mouth (well I certainly have a big mouth!), but isn't yet set up online (well ~ her blog is ~ I did that last night,lol). So I'm working on (more like pestering) getting her to set up an Etsy shop so the rest of the world can see some of the amazing "Mountain Home Furnishings" she makes ,as well as her awesome candles & tarts. If anyone is interested in Suzannes work ~ please feel free to drop me a line & I'll get her contact info to you asap. I don't have prices listed for the "Mountain Home Furnishing" line since everything is custom made & depends on what you're looking for.

Mirror Set

Cornice Board

Bear Mirror

11 Ft. Mirror !

24 oz. Keepsake Jar Candle $19.95 & Paint Can Candle $12.00

20 oz. Mason Jar Candle $18.00

32 oz. Vintage Canning Jar Candle $26.00

Beautiful Soy Fire Starters $1.25 each

Pumpkin Pie & Hot Cocoa Soy Tarts 75 cents each

Pink Sugar Soy Tarts 75 cents each

Holiday Soy Tarts 75 cents each

Mason Jar filled with soy tarts (40-50 tarts per jar) $12.95

Beautiful Rustic Soy Tarts ~ $1.25 each

Seasons of the Past Giveaway !

2009-01-11T14:19:00.000-05:00

Seasons of the Past

Trappeur's Lodge

2009-01-10T23:03:00.006-05:00

$12.95 for a jar of 40-50 tarts

$19.95 & $12.00

75 cents !

Here are a few pics of some of the things my "online friend" Suzanne makes ~ I'll be doing a feature tomorrow morning ~ this lady makes some AMAZING mirrors, cornices, etc. Wait til you see all the beautiful things !

Things aren't as bad....thanks Suzanne !

2009-01-10T18:38:00.003-05:00

Well ~ at least tonight is better than the day was. Kind of anyway... We got the couch put back in the living room (had to move it for the Christmas Tree), I got some things put away, I made up a box to send to a teriffic lady that I found on Audrey's Blog ~ she makes up bags of goodies for families of Hospice patients ( I emailed her after reading about her project about how I could help ~ I'm sending her some of my product samples along with a bunch of other stuff to add to these gift bags) & I spent A LONG time emailing a new friend Suzanne ~ trying to convince her that the products she makes are AWESOME & she needs to open up an online shop so the rest of the world can see what she has to offer( she can talk as much as I can ~ ugh oh, my hubby is not gonna like that ~ he already thinks I spend too much time in front of "the flickering box" ~LMAO) & I want her to send some of her samples to Michelle at Out Of The Box Sampler cuz I think that once she gets her name out there she's gonna have more business than she knows what to do with. Oh yeah ~ & she's an interior designer & takes amazing photos ! She's a riot too & had me almost pissing my pants laughing (which I most definitely needed today !). So ~ Thanks Suzanne for making my day a little better ! AND ~ MY DAUGHTER DID THE DISHES ~ Can ya tell I'm doin' a happy dance ?? So, it's quiet now ~ son & hubby are watchin football, daughter is... in her room (sulking I guess , aliens DID NOT invade my body , so she didn't go to the party!) & I don't feel as shitty as I did earlier !

Winter Time Blahh

2009-01-10T15:04:00.002-05:00

Guess I have a case of the winter time blahhs today ~ Seems like even though I've been on the go since early this morning ~ nothing has really been accomplished! I still have a pile of dishes waiting to be done (how did that happen ? We ate out last night!), a bazillion loads of laundry to do, Christmas things still need to be carried to the attic, there's an inch of dust on everything in the house, I have samples that need to be made & sent out, I STILL didn't ship my aunt's Christmas gift to her and the list just goes on & on. So, what am I doing? I'm sitting in front of my "flickering box" (as my hubby calls it) & don't feel like doing a damn thing ! The snow outside my window is beautiful, but I really wish it would stop already ! My son is out riding the 4 wheeler in the snow, my daughter is getting ready for the birthday party that she will NOT be going to (the roads are terrible) & even though I've told her several times that she isn't going, she must think aliens are going to come invade my body & allow her to go, because she is in the bathroom putting on makeup & doing her hair... & the hubby is SLEEPING !! There are soooo many craft projects that I could be working on in addition to all the house work that needs to be done, but for today I think I'm just gonna say F*CK IT & sit in front of my "Flickering Box"!!

Link to Valentine Giveaway

2009-01-09T07:52:00.002-05:00

I added a link at the bottom of my blog to "My Giveaway"

Valentine Giveaway Update

2009-01-05T16:41:00.001-05:00

Well ~ since I can't seem to figure out (after much hair pulling, yelling at the computer, etc) how to keep my valentine giveaway post at the top of my blog ~ I decided that I will count all comments from all posts starting on the day of the "Valentine" post. That way no one has to search through to find the post to comment ! I thought I had this blogging thing all figured out ~ guess not. Oh well ~ I'll continue with the hair pulling, etc. until I figure it out.............

100 Item Giveaway !

2009-01-05T06:22:00.001-05:00

http://theysayimnuts.blogspot.com/2008/12/100-ta-da.html

Giveaway has ended

More Giveaways

2009-01-04T14:50:00.001-05:00

http://thesecretisinthesauce.blogspot.com/2009/01/sunday-shout-outs.html

Check out all the great giveaways !

2009-01-04T10:21:00.000-05:00

WooHoo ~ My First Award from Audrey at Audrey's Country Crafts

So here is the award and the rules.
#1 You must link back to the person you received the award from.
#2 You have to nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award!
I know - it's really hard to pick only 10 deserving blogs - I'd also like to pick everyone, however those are not the rules - plus it would take many posts to nominate everyone.
So here goes - My 10 nominees in no particular order:

1. Michelle from Out of the Box Sampler

2. A Prim On A Whim

3. Cloudy With A Chance Of Chaos

4. Aunt Manny's Creations

5. The Scattered Mind of a Tattooed Minivan Mom

6. The Russo Corner

7. A Good Witch Too

8. Keri from Primitive Kountry Happenings

9. Diana from The Primitive Punkin Patch

10. PamperingU

Ok ~ I'm done. Now I'll head off to let them know they have an award !!

Pop'rs Giveaway

2009-01-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

Pop'rs New Year Giveaway ! Click on the picture to enter !

A New Year's Giveaway !

2009-01-03T15:54:00.000-05:00

Click on one of the pictures to enter an awesome giveaway ! Winner gets a $25.00 GC for Bath & Body Works + a GC for MARK (Avon) !!

Envirosax Giveaway !

2009-01-02T22:56:00.000-05:00

Click on the picture to be taken to the giveaway ! 3 Lucky Winners. Giveaway ends 1/11/09.

Candle Giveaway

2009-01-02T16:17:00.000-05:00

http://women-prenuergalore.blogspot.com/2008/12/interview-with-gems-and-dolls.html

Great blog ! Having a candle giveaway right now ~ check it out !

Simon's Biggest Giveaway Ever !

2009-01-02T08:25:00.001-05:00

WOW ~ Simon's Biggest Giveaway Ever ! Check it out, just click on the picture above to take you to the blog & enter !! Drawing will take place 1/10.

Giveaway has ended.

Prim & Whimsy Valentine Swap

2009-01-01T09:55:00.000-05:00

Click on the picture for more info !

The Spotted Box

2008-12-31T21:41:00.000-05:00

Keurig Giveaway !!

2008-12-31T21:38:00.000-05:00

Click on the picture to enter this AWESOME giveaway !!

OOTBS

2008-12-31T21:04:00.000-05:00

Out of the Box Sampler Rocks !

WillowLakeScents

Be back soon...

Farm Hussy Winner...

~*Winners*~

Today's the Day...

GRAND OPENING ~ CRAFTERS IN THE NEWS !

Tartaholic Giveaway

What I've Been Up To...

It's Spring Fling Time !!

100 + Posts and 100 + Followers GIVEAWAYS !

Favorite Things Swap

I think I'm ready.....

Favorite Things Swap

PIF from Lori

Frugal Fancy's Blog

Craft Swap

Save the TaTas Giveaway !

Farm Hussy Review & Giveaway

Ryan's having another GREAT Giveaway !

Primitive Kountry

Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom Giveaway !

Join the Comment Response Team

Kreativ Blogger Award !

Pumpkin Kountry Marketplace

Pumpkin Kountry Hosting

M-D Candles Giveaway

An Award from Jenn

Noticed a drop in Followers ?

Blog Addiction & Spring Cleaning

Followers

Hill Billy Kandles Winners !!

St. Patty's Giveaway !

.....

TUPPERWARE WINNER !

Hill Billy Kandles Review/Giveaway

Balloons For Aiden

Widget

BALLOON RELEASE

Out of the Box Sampler ~ February Box Review

WooHoo ~ Package from Hawaii

My Valentine Swap from Amelia

Transcend

Tupperware Review & A Giveaway

Not Me Monday

WooHoo Box Part Deux !

E.M.'s Launch Party

WooHoo~Prim/Country Giveaway !

Another GREAT Giveaway !

Coco-Zen Giveaway

Juicy Couture Earrings ~ Giveaway !!

Lemming Central Valentine Sample Bag

My 2009 Valentine Swap has arrived !

Hearts for Tuesday

A Virtual "Waggie Ride" for Tuesday

TAG ~ You're It !

Spread The L-O-V-E Swap !

GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Artfire Giveaway on Risky Beads Blog

WINNER

Prayers for Tuesday's Family

Organization Giveaway

Pay It Forward

February is Blog Luv Comment Month

Keurig Coffee Maker Giveaway ($250 RV)

Scentsy Giveaway Ending

Magick Moon Soap Wurks Review/Giveaway

April Showers Giveaway

M-D Candles Review & Giveaway

January Out of the Box Sampler Review !

Whimsical Prims ~ Giveaway I won

Door Prizes ~ GO EAGLES !!

Valentines Day Swap

Cupcake Giveaway !

Scentsy Review/Giveaway

Custom Made Blog Header

Reviews/Giveaways

Out of the Box ~ ON SALE NOW !!

My Princess

Another Cute Giveaway

Countdown for Out of the Box

~Winners~