[Scribbles]
Creative Experiments - Shoutpost HelpRain Rain Go Away
2009-06-28
We have had three days of sunshine the last month and this week, looks like more rain.When it has been nice out, we mow the lawn because of the rain, we now have more weeds than grass.
I am going to go play in the puddles and make some mudpies.
Sheesh!
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A Long Weekend Ahead
2009-05-21
Hard to believe!School is out in a few weeks. For the first time in years, no summer school for my son.
But he will have to do some home schooling to keep on task.
I lived through the book fair, field trips, signing tons of papers, the annual fund raising yardsale, and other busy things.
Next up is field day and graduation.
Should be interesting. Hope the field day is nice cool weather, not scorching and not raining.
Better rest up!
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tBlog is Back!
2009-04-14
Thank goodness!What a fright!
Guess someone forgot to pay the domain bill.
However, I guess we have all learned a very valuable lesson here.
Thank You!
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tBlog Mysteriously Vanishes off the Internet
2009-04-13
Yes, early this am -- it was gone without notice.I got the GoDaddy buy this domain name, a parked domain name page until it is renewed or bought.
Maybe they may renew, maybe not. Who knows?
I just changed my template.
Notification that I got a comment just started working for me again last week!
It is too bad no one got a kindly notice that this was to happen like some other places that give notice.
Sad, sad, sad indeed.
Alexa on tBlog
Help for the lost tbloggers.
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Finally, Spring!
2009-04-07
It still is a bit cold but the sun shines!
The street sweeper came by today to clean up all the salt and sand from winter storms!
Easter is Sunday -- hard to believe 2009 is nearly half over.
Already planning the garden! Exciting!
A few more weeks of school and then summer vacation.
I have been trying to clean the house!
I am going on a Treasure Hunt also! That should be fun and interesting.
I wonder why the sidebar on my blog is warped? It should not look like that, pushed down.
It has been that way for a while so now I guess, it is just another permanent glitch here at Shoutpost where I am a surviving original blogger -- and probably the only one left.
The spam blogs/posts are over the top also. I still cannot upload pictures. No fixes.
Some of the reasons why I sporatically blog here.
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HMMM???
2009-02-24
Well -- been busy moving MSN sites since original managers abandoned us.Most had been together for 10 years so it was a lot of moving and setting up, updating, editing useful articles.
Very time consuming.
I been here at Scribbles now and then but too tired to write anything.
Noticed some strange code issues here at ShoutPost also.
My son is still in love with Olivia from fourth grade last year.
Mentioned every day so far, she had her hair curled.
He gave her a special Valentine and said she was acting "weird".
Then he told me a story about how last year on the playground he gave her another note that said "I love you." but then went up to her a short while later and said "I was only kidding about what I said in the note." AH HA! So I told him he should never do that to a girl, girls don't like kidding about love.
Today I took both to the Dentist for a cleaning. It was a good report and no return visit for another six months.
Gosh -- I think I am the only original blogger here on this site?
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12 Kitchen Clean Up Tips
2009-01-10
I thought these were helpful.I even printed them out and gave each member of my family one -- since they lack the "clean up gene".
12 Kitchen Clean Up Tips
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Merry Christmas!
2008-12-24
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to anyone still around that reads this blog.
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North East Ice Storm
2008-12-15
I survived.Ice Storm Account and pic (new window) at Penny Lane because I cannot post pictures here at ShoutPost anymore (do not know what the problem is!)
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Whimsical Musings
2008-12-07
Well, I have been neglecting my blogs the past few weeks.
Mostly because of the moving issue with my MSN Groups and finding and setting up new homes.
One group lost the manager and we can't migrate so I have been copying and pasting articles.
What a job. My hand is about to fall off.
Somehow, I think I should consolidate them but heck, my tblog and this one get thousands of hits when I am not here. LOL -- they run themselves. One thing I don't like are the people who do a Google image search, find my images, and just copy and paste them into their own blogs. Why don't they save them and upload them into their own accounts?
Anyways, I was also helping some people set up a business website but there were issues between them and it was unproductive and took longer than I wanted to spend on it.
I should finish that this week. Thank goodness!
My son's report card was super great.
My daughter's report card was excellent as usual. She took the PSAT and was pleased with her result. Now to improve her scores.
Thanksgiving was ok -- we had a nice time.
Christmas shopping is done! Just have to work on the cards now.
Oh and put up the Christmas tree, not my cup of tea.
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The Halloween Scoop and more . . .
2008-11-01
So -- this is pretty sad. I posted twice last month. I think this is a nice place BUT with the archives not fixed and a few other burps, such as . . . I cannot upload pictures -- well, it is in a pretty sad state but it is free so I should not complain.Last weekend it was the big Halloween party we usually go to all dressed up.
This year we went as "L.A. Law", our last name begins with L so we were L--- Associates Law Practice. My dh was the judge with a robe and gavel, dd was the bailiff with the evidence bag, my son was the Hamburglar from MacDonalds and I was the lawyer with the brief case and the "brief" file with a pair of my husband's briefs inside.
Naturally, we won . . . again. This year we got a dinner certificate to a fancy resturaunt.
Then on Thursday it was trick or treat in the neighborhood. We did not get many children, it was just so darn cold out. I got 5 bags and we had 4.5 left over.
My son went out as Pepper from Lego Land who works delivering pizzas for Mr. Brickalini's pizza parlor. He dressed in a red shirt with a printout of a pizza on it, white hat, and a large pizza box with a Trick or Treat message when you opened it. He collected his candy in the box and then dumped it in a bag my dh was carrying.
Halloween is my favorite holiday, more than Christmas.
Anyways, a few weeks ago it was announced MSN Groups were closing and I am moving my group to god only knows where. Despite all the issues Groups had, we still loved them and the people we met. Lots of helpful people! Now we shall all be scattered about the internet universe.
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Been Busy
2008-10-13
It was a super weekend weather wise!I actually got a few things accomplished! I hope to do more!
Where does the time go?
I still have to work on the Halloween costumes, the parties start on the 25th and I would like to win prizes.
Speaking of prizes, I did win a block party with the works for my neighborhood and FINALLY, we were able to have it last weekend after so many weekends being washed out. It went well, a good turnout.
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AOL Journals Closing 10/31
2008-10-03
Yes, they will be history as well as their HomeTown webpages.Too bad. My children had little sites over there for their school work projects.
So the scramble is on.
AOL Journalists -- Here are your alternatives
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School Notes
2008-09-23
Where has September gone already?
Gee, I am already thinking about Christmas Shopping! I usually get it done around Columbus Day.
Then there is Halloween and costume making so I can win tons of contest prizes.
The past two weeks there has been open houses at school and I went.
All the teachers had great presentations and I am glad my children love school.
Last week my son ran for Student Council and won a seat in his classroom. He was thrilled.
He is only disappointed that the Book Order has not come yet -- maybe this week.
My daughter wants to go to Costa Rica on spring break to a language institute where she will be living and breathing Spanish for a few weeks and living with a local family. The price is high and I have a couple of more days to think about it. Not that I don't want her to go, it is just that she is an extremely fussy eater and to be away from home and her picky diet, well, I am not sure how well she would do, then again, there may be a very valuable lesson here to be learned.
But for now, the purse is closed.
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Off to a Good Start!
2008-09-04
My children love school!This was the first year I actually got all the papers signed for both of them the first day!!
Took me three hours.
Anyways, two open houses the next two weeks.
The weather has been very nice however, on Saturday, it is suppose to be the remains of Hurricane Hannah, and it is the day of the huge church yard sale that we like to go to.
I have been busy with things non-computerish. Seemed like old times before the PC became the daily routine of today.
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First Day of School
2008-08-26
Tomorrow -- Wednesday.Two days this week.
Four days next week.
Then five days the third week.
I can't wait to have some time to myself without interuption!
Both of my children are excited to go back! I hope they have great years.
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Update!
2008-08-18
It was reported on the news the other night, we have had 26 days of rain, most in a row.Lots of thunder and lightning -- and power outages.
The hydrangeas are happy but the leaves are suffering from all the wetness.
The tomatoes are doing GREAT. The mini-plum tomatoes are very nice.
My son and I are having our own Olympics, we play a game every day, and at the end of 42 days, who ever wins the most, is the gold medal winner. Yes, we are having an extended Olympics.
So what else is new?
Funny things going on here at Shoutpost and BE (still, including my thumbnail).
Still can't upload pictures here. And that archive list has not been fixed forever.
Also -- two of my websites went down and I have been rebuilding.
Then my teacher website had to be moved because of a new company. I am not finished yet.
I started to think I am becoming an internet junkie with all the time I seem to be fixing things (or waiting for things to be fixed).
So school starts in another week.
We went school shopping but still have a few more things to get.
My son lucked out at the local department store -- wow -- my family and friends could not believe all I got for $60 -- three pairs of pants and 6 shirts. Then I spent another $40 on two sweater vests and 2 packages each of socks and underwear.
My daughter -- well, we spent $75. on her for four shirts and a sweater. She's expensive but conservative! We still need to get her some jeans.
Then there are the school supplies. That trip will be after school starts.
We get to visit the 5th grade teacher this week. Fun.
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Tornado
2008-08-03
You may have heard about the tornado that went through NH July 25th. Our town was on the fringe of it. Two towns over and north, they got hit the hardest.
Today as we headed north, we saw all the devastation as we passed it on the roadway.
One side of the street, houses all destroyed. The other side of the street, the forest knocked to the ground and all the trees branches stripped right off so the trees looked like tinker toys piled up on each other.
Here are some pictures below of the dark mean cloud that was hanging over our house.
The first picture, this place is down the street from us on the main road.
The next two pictures are of the area behind this place going out on Great Bay.
The last picture is at Hampton Beach on the seacoast, about 15 miles south of us, notice how the sun is on one side and then there is the dreaded cloud floating. I think some beach goers were confused by this.
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Surfs Up!
2008-08-02
Well, now I am on my quest to earn more BE credits.
Just as I thought, put in 100 credits on this blog and Penny Lane and they were all gone in a day.
Bankrupt again. Something is not right.
Today I surfed (so far) 110 blogs. I got three Mystery credits -- 3/3/2 total of 8.
As I was surfing, many blogs were coming up but the IE gray box saying it could not display the webpage came up, click it off, and the white IE check your settings page came up.
However, as I surfed, I found a good reason why this was happening -- over at Attack This -
it was mentioned that Site Meter has changed codes and old codes are corrupt which is causing the problem.
Mommy Cracked reported the same darn situation.
Ok - back to rebuilding my "fortune". It is an icky day out, so plenty of time to work on it.
Spent a credit on the Blog Rocket since it was cheaper than a tank of gas to go anywhere for real.
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Credit Woes
2008-07-31
Something is wrong in Denmark.I just put credits on both my blogs at BE two days ago. Usually, this will last me a week or two, depends on a number of BE factors. Since I have been a member, the normal rotation number has been pretty consistant.
I have less than 25% of the origninal credits I put on only two days ago. My blogs are getting hits 10 times what they usually get from there per day. Now this may seem all good and fun BUT considering I have to work hard at earning my credits with time, then this makes no sense.
Then I can't even do anything without them (the credits).
Either many people are off BE and not earning credits and not in the blog surf that my blog is getting all these hits OR it is a glitch in the BE system that is robbing me.
Anyways, I am not a happy camper and by the time I can sit down and earn a few more credits, my account will be bankrupt and I will be a broken woman for it.
I guess, it is better that it is credits rather than money.
I will leave it on that note.
Looking forward to going to the llama farm then. The llamas have comfort levels -- I am sure I will feel much better petting a high comfort level llama.
So be it.
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Bloggy GiveAway Carnival: $20. Amazon Gift Certificate
2008-07-28
Enter my Bloggy GiveAway at Penny Lane.Take a chance for a $20. gift certificate at Amazon.
Good luck!
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Update!
2008-07-28
1. We had a tornado last week. That humungous cloud was so BLACK. It was creepy. We had so much rain that I could have used a canoe outside in the center "pit" of our cul-de-sac.2. We will be experiencing a few changes around here over the next two months. Both good and bad however, we can live through it all. Big plans.
3. We plan on visiting a couple of llama farms. There use to be a llama show at UNH but that stopped. So sad, it was so much fun and right in our backyard because it was so close.
4. Too hot to yard sale but I did get MORE books at a book sale. Just what I need, more books and no time to read them all.
5. School starts in a few weeks -- already!
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The Other Side
2008-07-24
I like that show The Medium and sometimes I watch The Ghost Whisperer.Sometimes I watch that show on Court TV, (has a new name but I forget what it is) where the real life psychics solve crimes.
And yes, I did watch some of the America's Best Psychic competition with all the little quizes.
Yesterday I saw this article based on questions asked a real life medium, Concetta Bertoldi, so she wrote a book based on the questions she is asked.
Do Dead People Watch Us? Yes, author says
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World's Best Cheesecake
2008-07-21
Oh YUM! This recipe is so simple and easy! A pre-made crust and only one 8 oz package of cream cheese and a few other basic ingredients then topped with sour cream!The possibilities are endless use a chocolate graham cracker crust, drizzle with chocolate, top with cherries or strawberries, etc.
Perfect for just a few people rather than the super large cheesecakes that seem to live on for days.
World's Best Cheesecake
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Creating a Vision Board
2008-07-20
Creating a Vision Board - as seen on Oprah when she discussed "The Secret".0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top
First Love
2008-07-16
Readers of this blog will know that my son (age 10) is quite a character.
He is going to summer school three days a week (Tues-Wed-Thurs).
He gets to ride in a small airconditioned bus all over town.
So towards the end of fourth grade, he starts asking me about love.
I asked him why, and he said that he loves this girl in his class, Olivia.
I said that is nice so if you care about her so much, just be friends and help her out, say hello to her.
Don't be mean. (He isn't anyways.)
Then he tells me that he wrote her a note that said, "I love you." and gave it to her personally.
There was a NH convention at school that every fourth grader had to write a report on NH.
We went.
I could not help notice how different his demeanor was, how shy, quiet, and reserved he was.
Then they went on a few field trips. Olivia was in his group or he sat with Olivia on the bus.
He was so happy and I told him that is very nice.
Then I suggest to him that maybe we could ask Olivia (she knows both my husband and I), to go get an ice cream downtown or go miniature golfing. He was so shocked!
I told him it would only be a couple of hours and it would be a nice thing to do since we all like Olivia very much (I think she is an only child and has one parent). This would help out her Mom.
He is still thinking about it.
I will let you know what happens.
Meanwhile, we found out that his fifth grade teacher lives in our neighborhood.
She just bought her first house. This is not sitting happy with him. LOL
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Wishful Wednesday
2008-07-16
Last night I was talking with a lady whose children were my former students.Her children are grown and the youngest one has one semester to go in college.
She is a really wonderful lady and has undergone some unfortunate issues recently in her life leaving her and her children innocent victims. Because of this, and the expense of it all, she has lost her home and most recently, her job because the place went out of business. She has a part time business but it is not enough to support her, nor can she increase any business because she gives lessons.
She and her youngest are staying with her oldest, living in their basement for the time being.
The oldest is married and has a new baby.
She told me that she is going with unemployment for now and taking them up on going back to school to learn a new skill because they will pay for it. This is good news and I hope that things work out for her!
I am asking anyone who reads this to send a special prayer that good things happen and that things get better for her and her family.
Thank you so much for a kind thought. It is much appreciated.
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Steve and Barry's Bankruptcy Chapter 11
2008-07-09
I wonder what Sarah Jessica Parker is going to do with her clothing line since this news.Her Bitten clothing line was carried exclusively at Steve and Barry stores.
Maybe things may work out for all of them.
Steve and Barry's Files for Bankruptcy
Sad, but personal finances, the price of gas and housing, leaves less for people to spend and this trickles down to businesses just trying to keep afloat in these economic times.
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Alive and Kicking
2008-06-30
I am still here.The Blog Challenge (at Penny Lane) took up lots of time but for now, it is over.
We went to two family reunions which required some travelling.
I seem to be spending lots of time waiting in lines. Today I went to pay the cable bill. Why don't they have a drop off box? You have to wait in line to drop off the payment.
So there were about eight people in front of me, and twelve more behind me, and only ONE worker, no other worker in sight. Some people had those boxes that they were giving up or trading in.
After about 35 minutes waiting in line and with six people now in front of me, I left.
So after I bolted out of the Cable company's mini-office with the one worker and went across the street to "Wonderland" a new thrift shop. I spent a couple of dollars there, it is half price week.
I went to the Post Office, where I was immediately waited on, bought a stamp and sent them their payment. They can wait a day or so for their payment.
Then I went to the store, and did not have to wait in line then came home where I had to wait in line in my own kitchen! All I wanted to do was cook but everyone was there in my way.
I need to get away, make that far away.
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$45 Yearbook
2008-06-17
The high school yearbook cost $45.00 for the version we got. (Possibly more expensive other places depending on the amount of pages and covers selected.) Most of it was black and white, a few color pages at the back, pages that just had current events/styles/music/trends of their senior year that made the news.
OUCH! -- and to think we will be buying three more till our daughter graduates.
Many of the senior pictures looked like they took them off MySpace. What ever happened to the classical studio photos that make you look timeless but not outdated? Some had not so nice poses.
I can't believe some of the "stuff" (not info) I read in it. It is evident that some of these people are only thinking here and now but not how it will look in the future to them. So many abbreviated name initials, I don't think they will remember who was who. And some of the goals/aspirations - "I want to be a little old lady who wears red rouge and has lots of cats." "My goal in life is to always be as good looking as I am today." Yes, and lots of them like that! Ok good luck.
And how many nicknames does one need? Some have a wardrobe of them.
Makes them look like they have multiple personalities. LOL
Some of the images got put in backwards, like the basketball team so their names or numbers don't read correctly.
There was so much "stuff" that the font was tiny.
Now parents can buy pages and put in pictures (growing up, through the years) and well wishes.
Some parents did a classy and respectable job for their child. Kudos to them.
Our neighbor (a boy), his parents put on his page one of him in the buff when he was little for all the town to see. HMMMMM? What were they thinking? How did that make him feel and gee, I think people are going to remember that years from now.
Remember, we paid $45. for all this nonsense.
If the parents did not buy the individual pages, it probably would be more.
Where is the guidance for decency or writing intelligently? I think these young people need to get some sort of perspective education, goal setting ideas and common sense rules to think about before they choose their "lasting impression" words that will be printed in the yearbook. Some will be eating their words for a very long time. Some will regret what they did (yes there were confessions) or said.
Evidently, I am sounding old. LOL
It was not a "class act" production.
How sad.
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Weekend Whimsey
2008-06-15
Just an update.
We have been busy. Last weekend we went on a day trip and gee, it was so steamy hot!
The past two weeks the children have had one field trip after another.
One field trip got cancelled due to the high temperatures. What a disappointment as my husband would have chaperoned and I would get SIX hours to myself!!! Cancelled.
High School graduations and activities this past week.
Then a few more field trips and awards ceremonies this week and Friday is the end of school.
So that is it in a nutshell for now.
I am still alive and kicking.
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Yard Sailing
2008-06-04
A little late but still a good blog entry to entertain the masses.
Last weekend my MIL had her yardsale so my husband went over to help her.
I was on my own.
I went to one neighborhood and then the Democrat Yard Sale where it was expensive and disorganized. LOL
Ok, not much -- a few books (one old time yesteryear Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka title), an 8 inch Madeline doll (25 cents!) I have no idea why I have to rescue them all!, a spice rack (recycle to hold bottles of paint), a set of chimes for dh ($2.00), a yellow Toll House Cookie Jar, like the package, with the recipe on a side, splurge at $6.00, and a new periwinkle color cotton Land's End sweater for my daughter for 50 cents, and a wooden Santa, some game about Paris, and a travel jewelry case (for what, I don't go anywhere!).
I then went to the store and picked up a few things.
I call my children up to ask if they want anything before I get out of the van.
They don't answer the phone.
Good thing there is an answering machine, I can still boss them. Told them I would call them back in a minute and they better pick up the phone. They did not want anything saving me a bundle of money. LOL
I came home and brought most of the stuff in the house. I went back out and as soon as I stepped out of the garage, it poured buckets. I had to get the gallon of milk but the van door would not shut properly, and somehow, the milk fell to the ground and I had a white river flowing about me. So I wasted $4.00 on that and was drenched to the bone.
dh said MIL sold most of her stuff before the downpour. That is good.
Sunday was a pleasant day but I can't remember what I did. LOL
I hope I had fun.
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Hmmmmmm?????
2008-06-04
Ok - some happy news and a bit of a "where's the logic" vent.Yes, it has been a few days now hasn't it?
Now regular readers know that I also blog at Penny Lane -- where I mostly do my Memes, themed writing, and Challenges. The good news -- I entered a contest there and won! I got all the ads stripped off my blog for as long I own it. Things sure are hot over there and commenting is keeping me busy and away from here! It's so tough to be so popular! LOL
The vent - nothing serious. I am finding some visitors/comment-tators overwhelmed there. I am currently doing a daily challenge during June and other people in the challenge come and post but they don't leave their URLS in the comments! The reason why I went there in the first place! Commenting and URLs for visitors. I don't get it? The whole point of the challenge is to visit and comment on other blogs within the challenge. Yes there is a central list but some people who comment on my blog, I may not have visited from the master list but if I had their URL, then sure, I would visit them and leave a comment.
I might also add, that the challenge is not a challenge when people don't open up their commenting on their blog. I mentioned this but evidently no one listened.
I have had to make note of those who I visited and could not comment on, or those who signed up but do not post the daily theme. Gosh! Half the list eliminated. Sad.
And then to add to all the confusion -- I can't tell off the master challenge blog list, and who is commenting on my blog, who is who! Why? some are using their real names, not their messageboard names, and of course, no URLs to help solve the mystery.
How about one more thing -- there was NOT a closing date and people are saying they want to do this, are added to the list BUT already are saying they are "behind". There was no cut off of participants or a closing date.
Lessons to be learned! I am taking notes in case I ever want to hostess something similiar.
Gotta make the most of what I actually have to work with. So I guess I have a "blog click" list to go by.
Ok -- enough! I am exhusted.
Off my Soapbox.
I think they fixed some of the bugs here at ShoutPost.
I better go blog surfing to refresh myself. I need more brownie points to keep in the rotations.
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Yard Sailing
2008-05-24
We went to two neighborhoods and a fund raiser.
The fundraiser had so much rusty junk it was pitiful but I hope they raised the funds they needed.
There I found new Prang Watercolors (THE BEST!), and a little thatched cottage tea pot with sugar and creamer (made in Japan), just like my Mom use to have.
Again, two more books, one Fast Food Nation and another about Cows (for a friend).
My daughter got a clip on hard cell phone holder.
My son got a crazy pair of glasses with 2006, and the 00 are lenses for the eyes. He also got a crazy chicken puppet to go with his "Old Mr. Jenkins" act since he tells a bunch of chicken jokes.
I don't know how he is going to do the chicken puppet and hold onto his cane.
Then three articles of new clothing with tags, a basic white Gap shirt (daughter), a Gap polo (husband) and a little summer shift for me to keep me cooler than I already am. LOL
Interesting things we saw but did not buy:
1. Reseeding pansies -- not for sale but the lady had quite a patch of them. They looked so perfect.
2. Wrought Iron Fish tank stand -- it was $5.00 and had potential -- add a top with some of those meshed tiles you can get at Home Depot to create a deck table or grill counter top.
3. My husband passed on the lifetime supply of copper wire for $20. (thank god he did!)
4. Old railroad lantern made into a swag light for $100. -- not a yardsale price.
5. Overpriced art supplies -- geesh! used and priced nearly the orignal prices.
6. Stacking lawn loungers out of PVC but they looked like they took up too much storage space.
7. Someone got the doll house kit before I saw it (when they were paying). I asked my husband if he saw it and he said yes and I asked him WHY he did not tell me! yeah, too busy looking at the rusty junk and cooper wire. Then we passed a table with the "Whose in the Dog House" sign and you put their name on the bones and hang it in the house, should have written his name on one of the bones.
Cheap thrills and lots of fun for $10 total.
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Dr. Phil: Carol Wior Slimsuit Bathing Suits
2008-05-24
Dr. Phil featured Carol Wior and her Slimsuit bathing suits on his show 5/23/08.
The Slimsuit comes in 85 different styles and can hide a multitude of body flaws because of the way it is made. Every audience member got one (certificate) -- too bad I was not there. LOL
Featured on the show was a woman who had belly sag and bottom issues but when she came out in the suit, WOW, she looked fabulous and you would have never guessed she had her issues wearing any suit. The one she wore is called the Magic Fountian Twist Waist Halter. (in this color and others retails for about $104.)
Carol Wior's Slimsuit Collection -- buy online, sometimes they have specials.
Carol Wior's Official Site -- Retailers -- not many stores carry these so it is best to order online.
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Update Notes
2008-05-17
I think I am a weekend blogger here now.Somewhat disappointing that things are not getting fixed.
Last week I did the MommyFest blog party and hopping. It was ok. Sad that so many people who participated did not have intro posts or did not have their blog opened to accept comments. More than half I visited that was the case. Then only a few came to my blog. The Ultimate Blog Party seemed to be better but we all learn a few things in the process.
Yesterday my son had a "MacGyver" field trip at the YMCA camp. He LOVES MacGyver, even wanted the same Mullet haircut but I said no. They did everything -- kyacking, a rope course where he said everyone got confused, archery (he said he did pretty bad), and climbed a moving wall. He came home exhusted but said he had a great time.
Today we went to a few fund raising yardsales and of course, I found some books and paper (cards, notebooks). I also got an outside lounge chair for $2.00, something I wanted so I could get my 15 of sunshine per day. At one sale I saw two ice cube trays and told my husband that he could use those for his trains to put the small pieces in so he can see them. Good idea he thought and got them. You could use an egg carton for the same reason but the trays are sturdier. Some man gave us a free enormous shark kite because he did not have time to fix it. Then that was it.
Today I am suppose to be cleaning and organizing. My MIL is having a yardsale in a few weeks so I am getting some stuff together.
We are having a repeat Mother's Day tomorrow because my husband forgot to give me my presents and I was having a good time anyways, I did not even think about asking. LOL
Guess I am getting old and forgetful.
The children do not know this yet, so it is a real surprise for them with more ice cream.
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Misheard in NH
2008-05-10
It was my husband's birthday last week and we went out to eat.
While in the car, I hear my son singing "It's too late to order fries, is it too late?" He was singing the tune "It's too late to apologize." by Timbaland.
When I told him what the lyrics were, he was a bit stunned.
So the next day -- I went to have a small donut after breakfast only to find the box empty.
I suspected he had the last one.
So I started singing "Who ate the donut/s? Who? who? who? who?" to "Who Let the Dogs Out?" (Baha Men).
He told me not to be so silly. However, he was happily singing it in the bathroom with the door shut while washing his hands.
Good clean fun never hurts anyone.
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Yard Sailing
2008-05-10
Tis the season! The Yard Sailors are out!
Today I just got a few cheap books and some "decorative apple gifts" for my neighbor who has the last name of an apple. She collects that kind of stuff and sad to say, I help her hoard it. I am an enabler to her addiction. So I will wrap it all up and give it to her for Mother's Day. I got 4 new and wrapped shaped apple candles (for her screened in porch), two wooden carved apple cores, two wooden apple salt and pepper shakers and a wooden apple welcome plaque. Total spent $4.00.
Bonus in one of the books I got, a crazy note -- evidently two very young girls (tell by the handwriting and language) were mad at one another and asking why?, I love you stuff.
We also saw some people we have not seen in a very long time, so that was nice to run into them and catch up.
My husband got a FREE stool for his train layout. Yes, the layout is getting bigger than I would like it to be. But not only that, half the cellar (14 x 30 feet) and the entire third floor are his trains. He has mostly Lionel O and HO trains. He spends hours with them, fixing, painting, rewiring. (Last week we got him a nice Yield House pine work table/desk with shelves ($25.)) We got a nice clamp on snake lamp for $1.50 for his new work area this week.
I have Z scale trains. LOL -- I found a very expensive German Marklin set at a yard sale (upscale/posh/tony neighborhood) and when I asked how much the man said $10.. I said OK without hesitation! So I have a very nice small running set. I could put it in a glass case coffee table. I fell over at the price of a new engine at a recent train show but I am happy with my little Z set I got a few years ago. Z scale is great for someone who lives in a small space or just wants to take them out and play once in a while. They are big on detail it is amazing.
I also got a few wooden boxes I am going to "alter".
Funny thing I saw:
An elaborate 1990's reproduction Victorian Memory book -- while flipping through the lavish ornate artistic pages, it seemed empty till I came to a page with a small picture of "Billy" who looked about 5 or 6 still stuck in the album.
Desperate Sale
A young boy, about 9 or 10, marked down his wooden desk to $1.00 from $2.00 while we were looking at it trying to convince us to buy it like he was doing an infomercial.
But the laugh of the day.
At one sale there was a craft box filled with various supplies. I got some scrap card stock and found a set of artist brushes still wrapped from the store. Brushes are good for crafting or trains. So I asked how much. The gal said well, those brushes were expensive, $20. originally so I guess for everything $2.00. I pointed out the price on the brushes says they were $2.99 and showed her the price then laughed. So she laughs then says OK a dollar for everything will be fine.
This is the third week we went out sailing, but we have our list of what we are looking for.
Seems lots of people are going because after heating oil, gas, electricity prices and taxes went up -- people are looking for more second hand stuff than ever before.
All the furniture (lots of top quality named stuff) we saw was marked sold before we got to any sale.
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Dr. Phil: Amanda and Pierre
2008-05-05
And Yolande . . . Pierre's overbearing, controlling and manipulating Mom.They were back for an update although Yolande said that Amanda made her look bad on the last show.
Dr. Phil: Interfering Inlaws -- my original post (opens in a new window).
Not much has changed with the exception that Pierre (now aged 39) and Amanda have divorced to the delight of Yolande. Pierre said that he thought that his mother would make it impossible for him to have any sort of normal relationship with any girl at any time in his life or even have a family of his own.
Dr. Phil was disappointed that they complained a lot but did nothing about their situation to improve it since they were last on the show.
The last time Amanda and Yolande saw each other was when Yolande visited them, and said Amanda was drunk and playing very loud music and that there was some sort of attack then the police had to come (with 3 or 5 cruisers) and break up the incident. Yolande pointed out that on the police record/report, it clearly stated that Amanda was drunk. Ummm just where was Pierre and what was he doing?
Yolande was in a closed room watching Pierre talking with a potential date. She came out and introduced herself and then just knocked Pierre down while he sat right in front of her, saying he has a poor job and income and needs to make more money -- gee, this is on the first time they meet! Why not just say, "Get out and go away! There is the door. Don't look back keep on walking! You have no chance he is not for you!"
The young lady was identified as a PhD student studying French Literature. So she was MORE educated than Pierre, which Yolande wants for him (insulted Amanda about her education), but evidently, this young lady still was not good enough. Anyways, after she saw the craziness, would she really want to get involved with either of them? I hope not!
Then the cat was let out of the bag, Pierre had a secret. It seems he is still seeing Amanda and they have been together! They say they get along well and are good friends now.
Yolande was surprised to learn that Pierre is seeing Amanda.
She had also expressed disappointment that Amanda did not take Dr. Phil up on getting some counselling for her alcohol problem. Ok -- but I can see where Yolande would be part of the problem by her degrading attitude toward Amanda.
Yolande is still complaining about the house and car that are really hers which Pierre is mooching off her. She says she is still financing/supplementing Pierre because he only has a $14K substitute teaching job. She even said Pierre ended up going on a couple of trips and charging them on her credit card. Dr. Phil said it was her house, why not sell it and take the car back then there would be no problems/leverage.
Dr. Phil asked Amanda why she was still seeing Pierre considering all the troubles she previously had with him or Yolande. He said that she should get away from this and find a better life for herself. She left him in the first place why go back. Guess old habits die hard. Maybe Amanda is actually addicted to Pierre or vice versa? Or maybe they just don't have anything better to do than to keep a vicious circle going.
Dr. Phil also hooked Pierre up with a well known head hunter for a better paying job.
Yolande said that that was really the only reason why she came back on the show was so Pierre could get some help getting a better job.
In the end, you can't change Yolande, you can only change yourself.
I think all three have some heavy self-esteem, self-confidence, and self- image issues.
It seems that Yolande has not only a chip on her shoulder, but some other deep rooted issues for her to be so negative.
And with all her complaining about Pierre and money, well, why is she even supporting him at his age? Nothing was mentioned about being a co-dependent.
Well, tomorrow is the moocher show. Moochers are co-dependents.
Maybe they might be the guests on that show too!
I hope Pierre, Amanda, and Yolande get a chance to watch that and learn something.
I think they need a miracle worker, not Dr. Phil.
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MommyFest Blog Party May 12-16
2008-05-02
I will be participating in this at my other blog Penny Lane.
Click on the banner to find out more if you wish to participate.
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A Well Wisher
2008-04-28
We went out to lunch Sunday with my Great Aunt who is 92, my brother and my cousin and her husband.As we departed the establishment and were breaking up to go back to our car, my son ("Geo") said to his Great Great Aunt, "Bye. Have a great life".
She exclaimed "WHAT?" as if she heard him correctly but had to be sure.
So I told her what he said.
She laughed and told him "It is too late, mine is almost over."
I have to say, my son kept us in stitches with his chattering and views of life.
Definitely a memorable day.
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Update Notes
2008-04-28
Last week my BloggyGiveaway at Penny Lane went rather well. I think I will do this again when it comes around in July. Meanwhile, I have to plan it out, so I have plenty of time, two months.Last week we had many nice pleasant reasonable weather days! So far yesterday, today and tomorrow lots of rain. Well, maybe it might be good for my pathetic lawn here at Windsor Upon Weeds. My neighbors have lots of dandelions. Guess it is finally spring!
It is school vacation week this week. I told my son I will call him "Geo" all week long, see how he likes his name change and if he will stick with it.
My husband is on vacation too.
Great.
I am never alone by myself.
How sad.
Maybe I should take a separate vacation without the crew?
Sounds like a good idea to me.
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Bloggy Give Away -- Shopaholic Diva Silver Pin
2008-04-21
I am participating in the Bloggy Give Away.You can see my freebie and leave a comment with a valid email to enter to win at Penny Lane.
Congratulations to the winner: Tara of Canada!
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Name Change
2008-04-16
When my son ( cried over being a double digit age, but calls it 9 + 1) was little, I called him Pip or Peterkins.When he was four or five, he insisted we call him "Timmy" because he liked that name.
It is also the name of one of my brothers.
So we did and after not even a day, he decided he did not like to be called Timmy and reverted.
Now, he wants us to call him "Geo", after he heard this name on America's Best Dance Crew.
His middle name is George, so there is something common to it.
Checking on his school work, I noticed "Geo" written on his papers yesterday.
Already signed in ink, I am not so sure this is official but we will see how long it takes before he reverts again.
I will go make him a artsy name sign for his bedroom and hang it up before he comes home from school.
This will be the real test.
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Cheering Up the Blog and Visitors
2008-04-15
Well, this place needs a bit of cheering up! Why not?
Anyways, the snow is gone and now I would like to see some green! I have only seen a few daffodils around, still a bit cold and I am still wearing my winter coat and gloves.
Which reminds me of the 100 or so daffs I planted and NONE came up -- mostly because the wildlife thought I was playing hide and seek snacks with them. Sneaky squirrels and clever chipmunks!
Tulips though fascinated my daughter when she was little, around age 3 or 4. She liked the black ones (Queen of Night) best and I recall once at a yardsale how she was so joyful over hundreds in the owners garden. I bought her a few dozen and she planted them. We had quite a variety in her tulip garden, we liked the Parrot, Peony, Shirley, Angelique ones the best.
Let's tiptoe through the tulips now! The red one dares to be outstanding and unique among the white ones. Enjoy!
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PBS Masterpiece: A Room with a View
2008-04-14
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Yes, I was looking forward to this! I enjoyed it and was trying to figure it out and was disappointed in the ending because, like all book to TV/Movie, somewhere along the line, they ruin it.
At the beginning we see, as we know to be, Lucy walking in Italy and it says 1922 on the screen. We only see her lower legs and feet/shoes walking at a brisk pace, her hemline is shorter.
She checks into the Hotel Bertonlini and during her stay there, at this present time, the desk clerk asks if her husband is with her and she says no. Her hair is shorter also.
So what has happened to George?
She reminisces about her first stay and meeting George Emerson.
The reminiscing parts are all in order but in the end we see/hear why Lucy is alone.
As the movie makers thought this would be interesting, Lucy in the present time of 1922, is a widow having lost George in the War, and of course, they had to show it graphically, him lying dead in the war field.
I was sobbing. Why kill him off? He was not killed off in the book! I like to think that they had a long happy life with children at Windy Corner who play tennis all day long with "Uncle Freddie" the slacker brother. LOL (Mrs Honeychurch in this newer version was played by Elizabeth McGovern.)
But wait -- while she is in Italy remininscing, in real time, she finds the original driver of the carriage that took the hotel touring party to the field where George first kissed her years earlier (always a wonderful scene). He takes her back there and the two of them have a picnic. She finds out that he has never gotten married in the ten years since her first visit but she touches him and the movie ENDS! Now what are we to believe!
As usual, the acting and costumes were great but the story change was a bit upsetting to me because I love this story. So if I have to pick -- the original movie with Helena Bonham Carter (Lucy Honeychurch) and Julian Sands (George Emerson) is my favorite pick.
I need to go buy more Kleenex.
Then I will reread Howard's End and Where Angels Fear to Tread by the same author.
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Hello!
2008-04-10
What's new at "Windsor Upon Weeds", my castle, my home?
1. The children have had a few big projects due at school so we have been working on those.
2. Spring is coming! We still have some snow, and it is still cold, but in a few weeks, spring will be here and so will all the pesky black flies. I can't wait to go out and plant things. Not to sure about the lawn though or what we are going to do. (Washed away twice, burnt by scorching heat, and then the grubs ate the new lawn). Hopefully we are planting three Indian Bean (catalpa) trees, they tolerate just about anything, plus we need tall trees because we need the height to match the house and we need shade. I am tired of oven conditions (all day sun exposure) come summer.
3. Today it was warm out so I was able to clean and organize some in the attic over the garage. What ever the temperature is outside, it is the same there making it difficult to do anything at times, especially if we have continuous cold days.
4. No joke, but on April 1st, my husband moved the fake Christmas tree from the livingroom to the proper storage area. Since we had so much snow, we could not move it back till we had enough melted to make it a safe move (ice, hill, deep snow prevented access). It was nice while it lasted though. I sort of miss it. LOL.
5. I have been spring cleaning! I also started a blog for my neighborhood and we are planning a neighborhood yardsale. Most think this is quite nifty.
I included lots of town/area resources also. Most people did not know some of this info.
Well that is life in the sticks for you. At times, you have no idea. Yes, the computer keeps me connected to the world.
6. I think the Bichons need a make-over. It has been a long winter.
Well that is a quick report from my castle.
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Oprah: Freegan Lifestyle
2008-04-10
Or How to Consume Less
Lisa Ling investigated the Freegan Lifestyle. (Show aired 2/27/08, just found my notes)
What is/are/a freegan? They are people who live off trash findings and live a simpler life, they try to live outside of consumer society. They find their food in the trash on organized tours. The number one food hygiene rule is there is no eating on the tour.
Freegans feel we are slaves to our money, earn more buy more and for what? Where does it all go in the end? The landfills that are polluting our world? So they just live simply and recycle what is thrown out that may end up in the landfill.
Madeline was earning a six figure salary before she quit her job. She gave it all up to be a freegan. What she cannot find in the trash, she spends $10-20 to buy. She went on a "freegan tour" which happens at night, the night before the trash is picked up at the grocery stores. Since the trash is on the public street, the group goes through it and shares their discoveries and then items get negotiated. She got flowers, coffee beans, eggs (cracked) and pears (had spots on them).
She said living this way, she can give more time to social causes and volunteer helping other people since she makes the choice to use/buy less but has money to pay her bills.
She even said that she has not bought clothing in three years and this saves money also.
Interviewed freegans were with an investment banker, college students, a newlywed couple (Daniel the doctor and and Amanda the engineer) and people who want to live off "beans". Most say they live pretty well but it is work to do this. The newlywed couple said that it would allow them to pay off their mortgage so then they would have more time to volunteer with charitable organizations. Even some of their furnishings were curbside finds they recycled into serviceable items. Happiness does not come from things, it comes from how you serve/help others.
Daniel mentioned that we (USA citizens) are only 5% of the world's population but we use 30% of the world's resources (YIKES!). If Daniel and Amanda have too much supply, they donate the extras to shelters putting it back into the system and helping others.
It was also mentioned that stores throw out 2-3% of their inventory (did not mention the term of time, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly). This equals nearly $30 billion dollars, enough to feed a few countries.
Why do stores throw out so much? Why don't they just give it away?
Stores have stringent rules and if someone paid for it, they could turn around and sue for something. If it is trash, then people are taking their chances.
As long as the trash is on the public streets this can be done.
Trash bins in private areas, you are trespassing.
Freegan economics -- an interesting concept but it depends on where you live and the laws that allow you to live this way.
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Oprah: Shlumpadinkas
2008-04-10
Shlumpadinka: Oprah's word for a woman who has given up on her style.On this show they took a neighborhood of woman and transformed them into fashion divas with stylist Lloyd Boston.
Most of the clothing was bought at Kohls, Old Navy, The Gap, J.C. Penny's, and Sears for reasonable prices. Most outfits cost under $200 for several pieces.
Here are ten basic pieces to have in your wardrobe:
| 1. trench coat | 6. dark jeans |
| 2. black turtleneck | 7. black dress |
| 3. black trousers | 8. white or dark blue jean jacket |
| 4. tunic | 9. black skirt |
| 5. white jeans | 10. cashmere sweater |
Mention was made of a "wash and tell" fitted crisp classic white shirt:
Stacey Wallace Allen said that hers was from Brooks Brothers and you can get 2 shirts for $149.00 at their stores or outlets. The shirts are not available online.
Five ways to wear the white shirt (nude color bra underneath):
1. with a classic styled sweater
2. with a tunic and belt at the waist
3. with a long sweater and scarf
4. with a leather skirt
5. with a long evening skirt
Oprah mentioned that there is no such thing as "matchy matchy poo poo", you don't need to match a purse and shoes anymore.
Oversized bags and flats should be considered basic wardrobe staples.
Also, white can be worn anytime of year now.
A few other fast fix beauty tips to update your look:
1. No wearing caps wear a headband or high ponytail instead.
2. Wear a concealer, a multicolored blush, and lip gloss.
The Happy Scarf/ Happy Knot
Take a long scarf and fold in half.
Put on your neck.
Pull the loose ends through the scarf loop and tighten a bit but keep it a bit loose so it does not look like you are being choked.
Two accessories that make you look old and dated:
1. Over accesorizing -- don't look like a gypsy! Choose 1 or 2 accessories.
2. Wear hoisery at work to complete your office look and look professional.
Classic styled items should last you a while so it is money wisely invested over a term of time.
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Show Time: The Talent Show Review
2008-03-28
If you had been following along, my son (4th grade, age "9 plus 1") was anxious and excited to enter the annual school Talent Show.
He finally got to perform in front of an audience of other students, parents, teachers, and the general public. He was the last act. He wore the gray haired wig we found, a suit coat, vest, white shirt and tie, jeans, and sneakers. I even got him a carnation to wear in the button hole.
We also found at a second hand store, a smaller cane more appropriate for his size, like a Tiny Tim crutch.
He wobbled on the stage, told his jokes in his "Old Man Jenkins" voice. He had great voice inflection and timing. The audience laughed at all the corny jokes. My daughter and I were at the back of the audience and we could hear the comments the people were making and laughing at the jokes saying this one or that one was pretty good.
He ended by saying he had to go catch a plane to Florida which everyone got a hoot out of and wobbled off the stage.
One of his jokes was "The good thing about getting old is that you can hide your own Easter eggs." A lot of people liked that one but when I told him this, he said he did not understand why it was so funny so I had to explain -- then he laughed at himself.
Within a few days, as I was on errands around town, lots of people complimented on him and said he was hilarious and entertaining.
He said next year he wants to do an Elvis impersonation as his talent.
I laughed.
Maybe he can do Elvis and tell jokes too?
The curtain closes.
Thank you -- Thank you very much.
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