Showing newest 76 of 104 posts from January 2009. Show older posts
Showing newest 76 of 104 posts from January 2009. Show older posts

Saturday, January 31, 2009

He's Got it Going On!




I've been sick half the week. So understandably the dishes and laundry had piled up a bit. My husband came home from work yesterday, and without even being asked unloaded the clean dishes, loaded the dishwasher with dirty dishes, and did a couple of loads of laundry!!! I couldn't believe it! He has figured it out! Normally those are my responsibilities, but when I'm sick I need help and that's exactly what I need help with. Oh, yes, my husband has got it going on!

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It's Just Harder to Find Love When You Love Your Furry Friends

I am a cat person. I love cats, I have always lived with cats, and I always want to have cats in my life. Obviously, when it came to finding love, I needed to find someone who also loved cats. I found what I was looking for but yes, it took some time. For animal lovers it can be extra tricky to find the right person. Especially if you love large animals, in particular horses. People who ride, care for, and even own their own horses are a different set of people. Clearly you have to find someone that already understands this passion in order to have a successful relationship. That’s where equestrian cupid comes in. It’s a dating website specifically designed for those that love horses and the lifestyle that surrounds it. When people are looking for a relationship here, they’re also looking for someone who wants to share horse rides on the trails, cleaning out the stalls, and everything involved in the country lifestyle. That’s not an easy find without help. Fortunately, there’s a FREE sign-up so with equestrian cupid it just got easier to find that one to actually ride off together on a horse and settle into a lovely country life.

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Ode to Houston


I thought it was about time for another installment of "Ode to Houston." I found the skyscrapers cascading against the dusk drawn sky with the forefront shadowing of the outlines of trees to be stunning. While I'm glad I live in the suburbs, out in the woods for that matter, I have a definite appreciation for this lovely city. Just because I don't want to live directly in it, doesn't mean I don't like my visits there. I most certainly do! So here's to the city of Houston.


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Public Financial Records

It’s a tough economic time. Considering bankruptcy? Trying to avoid it? Whatever help you need, tips can be found at the US Bankruptcy Records. Furthermore, for businesses looking for information on clients, or people looking for personal information on those that aren’t telling them the truth, this website will help you find what you’re looking for among the bankruptcy records.

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Tree Update

It is DOWN! Tuesday was hubby's day off of work and he met the tree's demands. It is now happily tucked away in its storage box.

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Destin Resorts

Who hasn’t considered vacationing in Florida? Seriously, we’d all love a beach vacation. But you probably have considered staying at the Destin resorts. What you don’t already know is that getting a vacation rental is so much better than a hotel room. First of all, you have the comforts of home including a big kitchen (whenever I stay in a hotel I long for a kitchen, even if it’s just to heat up leftovers). You also have perks that you would get at a hotel such as free wireless internet (not always free at most hotels though) and fresh, clean towels and linens. Most of these rentals also come with a pool, but best of all, you don’t have to share it with hundreds of guests. You have more privacy, more comfort. And let’s not forget, you still have easy and close access to the beach. That’s why you came on vacation in the first place!

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Friday, January 30, 2009

It's Friday Already?!

How is it Friday already?! Oh, yeah… I know. Because Wednesday I got hit with some nasty head cold / flu bug / something or other so I’ve been feeling lousy and dosing off constantly with little recognition of what day it is. Here’s hoping it’s a 3 day bug and today being day 3 hopefully I’m almost done.

And to think… I actually foolishly thought, “I’ve been doing really well. I’m back working in nursery and haven’t gotten sick. Must be that zinc I’m taking.” Yeah… whatever. Guess I couldn’t make it even just one month without getting sick with something.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

It's a Texas Thing


Cowboy hats and boots are popular here in Texas. I’m sure none of you are surprised by that. But what may surprise you is that many of the styles are actually really cute, especially those designed for women. When I get the weekly circular of advertisements, sometimes there will be one for Cavender’s Boot City. I find it amusing because you wouldn’t see an advertisement like it in Virginia, but here in Texas western hats and boots are a must! And to my complete shock, when I looked through that advertisement when I first moved here, I actually liked some of the items they had for sale. And now that I’ve been here for a year, yes, the boots and hats have grown on me and I think they’re cute.

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Exciting Upcoming Events

Saturday, February 7th - Fossil Dig
We’re going to Whiskey Bridge for a paleontology field trip. We’re going to dig for fossilized shells and maybe we’ll find something we don’t expect. This adventure is organized through the Houston Natural Science Museum and as members we got discounted tickets.

Friday, February 13th – Bug Love Valentine’s Dance
That’s right, we’re going to a romantic dance this Valentine’s Day!!! It's even going to be held in the museum among the exhibits. How cool is that? The saddest thing about getting married is that there are no longer church dances to go to (for those that don’t know there are youth dances and dances for singles organized regularly in our church, but once people get married they tend to be too busy with kids to put together dances for the grown ups). My husband and I met at a singles dance, we went to all of the dances together, and we love to dance. Thanks to the science museum, we have found a dance to enjoy! It’s going to be so much fun!!!

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Oriental Lilies

Flowers have a way of brightening their environment. It’s as if the sunshine they consumed to create their lovely bloom is radiated into the room they inhabit via their colorful display. No wonder women love to receive flowers… or even buy them for themselves!

The popular online florist 1800flowers.com has an exclusive line of floral arrangements known as “Martha Stewart Flowers.” I will admit; I’m a fan of Martha Stewart. She’s brilliant and the ultimate source for homemaking expertise. So as you can imagine, the flowers in this line are exquisitely arranged into pristine bouquets. They can be used for any occasion and any purpose, they’re just a little fancier than your typical bouquet of flowers. Whether as a gift, a centerpiece, or a self indulgence, a vase of Martha Stewart Flowers is sure to create a pleasant reaction. These flowers make for an atmosphere of beauty no matter where they are placed. These are the good things that are the result of the presence of flowers.

Looking through the collection, the below arrangement is my favorite. These oriental lilies are elegant but approachable for a friendly feel. Plus, they remind me of the flowers in my wedding bouquet. Simply beautiful.



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Monday, January 26, 2009

Released!

I have finally been released from my calling as Food Storage Specialist!!! Yippee!!! Don't get me wrong, I understand how important food storage is, I just don't like being in charge of it. I gave it an decent effort for a year but I'm happy that I'll be able to just focus on my calling in the nursery :-)

And for those that don't know what food storage is... it's putting away dried food goods for emergency use. Our church has regional canneries where you can purchase things like flour, wheat, beans, rice, pasta, etc. then can them and store them for up to 30 years (FDA finished a study recently that showed that these foods when canned can last that long). I was in charge of coordinating the order for my ward of the church. Now I'm training the new lady and happy to pass on the responsibility.

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

ArtFire.com

Who here loves Etsy? Yeah, I realize it’s all of you ;-) I love it too, but I’ve discovered a new website where you can buy and sell handmade gifts. It’s called ArtFire.com. I’m going to list some of my jewelry on there. It’s completely free! Any user can have up to 10 live listings (including pictures) for free, meaning no listing fee AND no final value fee. Larger sellers can sign up for their monthly package (still a ton cheaper than ebay).

Also, for every member that joins Trees for the Future will plant a tree in your honor. So get to the website, sign up, help the planet, support artists, and enjoy the beautiful items on the website.

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Notes from the Tree




I took down all of the Christmas decorations, but could not figure out how to take apart the tree. (Yes, I realize how lame that sounds, but I grew up with a real tree so I've never taken apart a fake tree. And I tried tugging, pulling, twisting this one and it won't budge.) My husband said he would take down the tree, but was busy and tired and didn't get to it right away.

I awoke the next day to a note on the tree that read:
Do not touch me until HE gets home.
-Tree

That totally cracked me up!

Well, my husband didn't get around to it that day. The next day (yesterday), I found a second note on the tree.
Don't even think of picking up his slack!
Do NOT touch me!
-Tree

Haha! I think it's cute. So often my husband says he'll do something, and a few days go by, so I get tired of waiting and just do it myself. He's being very insistent that he's going to take down the tree (or should I say the tree is being very insistent). What an entertaining way to express it. Yes, this is why I married him. He amuses me.

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Career Education

I’m an advocate of gaining education as it relates to your career. This makes it a wise investment as it will give you the added credentials to qualify for higher paying positions. There are a number of certificate programs that can teach professionals additional skills to help them be more effective in their work and take on responsibilities beyond their current tasks (as in preparing for a promotion and a pay raise). A CAPM certificate is gained through taking courses on project management. This can be applied to numerous work fields, from business, to construction, to technology, and a variety of other options. It’s a worth while investment to have on your resume proving your knowledge in managing projects. The St. Joseph University Online Management Certificate Program is a convenient way to obtain this profitable credential.

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Wish I had my Camera Moment

I had a "wish I had my camera" moment today. I was walking out to the mailbox center when I noticed some crows on the roof of one of the apartment buildings. To my surprise I saw one of these crows, on the roof of a two story building, holding a bag of chips in his mouth! Occasionally he'd drop it on the roof and peck at it to try to get a chip. I found this so funny... sad to see a bird eating junk food and that someone littered (or perhaps not, the bird could've found it in a dumpster)... but still, funny to see a crow with his bag of chips like some couch potato.

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Free Desktop Wallpaper

Looking for a new background for your computer? Try free wallpaper at Eugenef.com. Such beautiful photos that will add beauty to your desk and a bit of serenity into your life.

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My cat got... nice?!

I don't know what got into her, but tonight Luna was very cuddly. She was sleeping on the couch while I was on the computer. I took a break, sat down next to her, and started to pet her. She rolled over and wanted her belly rubbed!!! This is the same cat that will nip for no good reason and gets weird and cranky, also for no good reason. Well, this time, for no good reason (other than I'm sure it feels so good) she decided to be the sweetest little cuddle cat. I spent a good 10 minutes just rubbing her belly while she purred. How I love that! I've missed that too. There are a few cats back in VA that are that way, particularly my Ezra. I guess Luna and I are getting to be better friends and now she trusts me enough to be nice to me. Which it's about time, because I need a cuddly kitty.

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Saving Money

It’s more important than ever to make smart financial decisions and to make the most of your money. Saving your money in the right place for the best interest rate is essential. I have had an online savings account since I was 16. I'd add in money whenever I had the chance and before long I had a decent savings. Good thing too because I spent it all getting married. Now it's time to get back to saving again.

Compare the Best Online Savings Account Rates, CD Rates (Certificate of Deposit Rates), Online Checking Account Rates, Credit Card Rates, Mortgage Refinance Rates and Bank Reviews.

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Action Cat



Speaking of Valentine's Day... here's a little "action cat" to get you excited for the up-coming holiday. A friend showed me these adorable animated aviators and I simply can't resist the cuteness! And they all star cats, a sure winner in my book... I mean blog ;-)

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Valentine's Day Gifts

Valentine’s Day will be here soon! Are you ready? I’m all set for my sweetie, but for those that aren’t here’s some advice. Traditional valentine gifts are always welcome. Chocolate is pretty much a necessity for the majority of women. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to splurge on yummy cocoa concoctions. Best of all, these are guiltless calories when it’s a gift from your lover. What woman doesn’t love getting flowers on Valentine’s Day? It’s especially thoughtful when flowers are delivered. Hey guys, here’s an idea. Send flowers to her workplace so she can show them off to her co-workers and be the envy of the ladies. Then she’ll come home to you all excited that she clearly has the best man.

Some couples are spending this Valentine’s Day apart, separated by distance but still close in heart by their love. Did you know that with SaveBuckets.co.uk you can order valentine flowers and have them sent anywhere in the world? Well, now you do know. So no matter how much distance is between you two right now, you have no excuse not to send flowers to your special someone.

Now to the women that are fretting about to what to get for their male counterpart, their boyfriend or their husband. SaveBuckets.co.uk carries a wide range of gifts. You can even take a look through their “For Him” category to help you find exactly the right Valentine’s gift. And if you’re spending the holiday apart, you can have the gift delivered right to his location.

Good luck preparing for Valentine’s Day and choosing the perfect romantic, loving gift.

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Friday, January 23, 2009

Play List

Have you ever wondered why I love the band Hanson? Why not give a listen and find out why for yourself? I've put together a play list of my favorite Hanson songs for everyone to enjoy :-)


Best of Hanson

While you may notice that I obviously like the more amped up songs, keep in mind Hanson does a lot more than just that. But this gives you a nice sampling of why I personally love their music.

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Armadillo Sighting!

The other night my husband and I were spending some time together relaxing at home when we both got the urge to go out for a walk in the dark. For once he didn't have work the next day, so we did just that. It was a beautiful walk under the stars. We went out to the lake and discovered the dock including a bench built for two. We strolled through the woods (via the paved paths, you've got to love Kingwood). We made it pretty far out.

Joshua suggested, "Maybe we'll see an armadillo." You wouldn't believe it but within 60 seconds of him making that statement we heard a rustling in the woods. We both pointed our flashlights on the source of the noise and discovered to our delight it was an armadillo! We've always wanted to see one out in the wild (does suburb woodland count as the wild?). It was out foraging for food. It wasn't afraid of us. At first it was a little startled, but went right back to looking for food. Then it must've forgotten we were there because it came right for us. At that point we were like... "Um... don't come too close..." since we're not sure about what an armadillo is capable of. But still, we were within 6 feet of the armadillo and got a great look at it. It was a teenager, rather small, not quite an adult, but getting close to it. And of course, we forgot our camera. Maybe we'll get a picture next time!

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Stock Market Crash Bash

I saw the best idea for a theme party over on Celebrations.com. I would’ve never thought of this, but I found a “Stock Market Crash Bash.” That is very applicable to today’s economy. The funny part is why be glum about it, make it into a party! The website suggests having everyone dress up in 1930’s type of clothes, a throw back to the depression era. The website includes a playlist of applicable songs, a recipe for fortune cookies, and cheap food options. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a party devoted to the lagging economy? It might just cheer people up that are facing tough financial times… like me! For more ideas on theme parties I suggest you check out Celebrations.com.

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Bubble Yum Soda



Have you ever heard of Bubble Yum soda? Probably not since you can't find it anywhere anymore! Joshua discovered this delicious beverage at a gas station one night in Virginia. He was hooked and of course, had to share the addiction. We'd go on dates and stop at a 7-11 and pick up some tasty Bubble Yum soda to enjoy whether on the road, at our destination, or with dinner. Not long before he moved, and then I moved, we couldn't find it anywhere. On Joshua's road trip moving down to Texas he'd check the soda rack at the gas stations. Every now and then he still does, whether just around here or when we're out of town. But alas, it is nowhere to be found. We miss it. The mere taste brings back so many fun memories... at least it would if we could find Bubble Yum soda!

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Silver Bracelets

I am a jewelry fanatic. Truthfully, I view jewelry as wearable art. An expression of beauty that doesn’t merely hang on a wall, instead it adorns you. Let’s not forget that jewelry adds appeal to your overall ensemble. Most looks are not complete with the addition of a lovely piece of jewelry.

A stunning trend (though perhaps trend is the wrong word since these are always in style, perhaps expressing their increasing popularity is a better phrase) is wearing silver bracelets. Personally, I love a silver bracelet full of sparkling accents, while some people prefer just plain silver. Either way, it’s all pretty.

A good website to check out for this trend is LusterForever.com. They also have great charm bracelets too. And if you have a man in your life that occasionally likes jewelry, they have leather bracelets for sale. Those look good on either men or women, depending on their personal style.

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Ode to Houston

It has been a beautiful day today! Lovely 70 something degree weather, sunny, and January so there's a complete lack of mosquitoes. It doesn't get much better than this. Hence the inspiration for today's "Ode to Houston" being a lovely park shot.


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The Job Hunt

My husband is still on the job hunt. He’s looking into everything, such as admin careers and managerial positions, though truth is anything that pays enough to pay our bills and provides access to health insurance is being considered. It’s such a tough market right now, but persistence pays off because the more jobs he applies to the better his odds that one will hire him. Or shall I say, persistence had better pay off! ;-)

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Flash Drive

I’m so glad I got my husband that massive flash drive for Christmas. He uses it all of the time. It has made transferring photos and anything else from my computer to his, or vice versa, so much easier. Plus he has all the room he needs for files, photos, and well, whatever he wants. I’m just as glad I bought myself one too ;-) What? With a deal as good as I found, of course I bought two!

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Phantom of the Opera... my husband?

The sun streamed in through the window just right to where it looked like my husband was wearing a mask like in the Phantom of the Opera.


I requested he make a serious face, so that way he'd look more convincing as the character. Instead he gave me this scary face. HAHA!


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Vacation in a Naples Rental

Speaking earlier of vacation spots, let’s talk about a more exotic destination. How about Naples, Italy? Now that sounds like an adventure! But first thing is first, where to stay?
Naples rentals can be found on HomeAway.com. Millions of people use this website to book their vacation accommodations. So many happy customers (plus the website’s $5,000 guarantee payment protection) show the evidence of the usefulness of this site.

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Clear Glass

You never realize how dirty a window is until you clean it. Our sliding glass door ended up with finger prints from my friends visiting yesterday (they have the cutest kids so I didn't mind the finger prints). I cleaned the door today and not only did I get rid of the finger prints, but all of the built up grime that I didn't even realize was there. That seems to be how it works with windows; you don't realize how dirty they are until they're clean.

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Florida... the tropical alternative

Looking for a tropical vacation… but can’t quite afford Hawaii or the Bahamas? That’s where Florida comes in! Sun, warmth, palm trees, and beaches can all be found in Florida giving you the relaxing vacation you deserve in the tropical setting you desire, while being less expensive. Where to find the cheapest flights? The answer is FlightToMiami.com. You will find the best deals on Flights To Miami, since they specialize in Miami only. No need to search through numerous websites when this website brings the results to you. Make it easier on yourself and search on FlightToMiami.com then book the best deal and you’re on your way to some fun in the sun.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Just in time...

The owner of TVLinks.com.eu was arrested this weekend and the website was shut down. I was using that website to access Mad About You episodes. If you haven't seen that show, you have GOT to see it! It's about a newlywed couple and all the adventures, everday life, and ups and downs on thier married life, but it's a half hour comedy so it's amusing instead of heavy hitting. It cracks me up because they are so just like my husband and me. In fact, we watched the series finale together the other night and he just loved it; completely related to it. (Funniest series finale ever, I must say. Janeane Garofalo guest stars.)

I love Mad About You because it shows what married life is really like, where you're deeply in love with each other, times of romance, laughter, and fun, but there are also times where you bicker, fight, and make mistakes. There are moments of being miserable and moments of intense passion, and the rest covers everything in between. Now that's marriage. It's a mix of everything.



Anyway, when I'd take a break I'd put on an episode of Mad About You and I worked my way through the series (most of it was posted online). After quite a few months, I just finished it a few days ago. Now the website I used to access the links no longer exists, but I finished watching the series just at the right moment.

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Average Nice Guy

Have you heard about the book Nice Average Guy? It’s about your nice average guy, he’s married, has a job, and is living the mundane albeit comfortable life. He realizes his discontent and decides to do something about; which leads to his “introspective journey” where he figures out who he is, what he’s made of, and what’s really going on in his head and his heart. This process also involves other characters along his path, just like our own lives, where friends and even strangers can influence us in profound ways. The reviews explain that the journey is one of humor and heartache, that the author captures entertainment and emotion all in one book.

It’s a fictional book that incorporates many self-help techniques. While you walk the journey with Fitz, you can apply the principles to your own life as you see fit (as any good book with a moral will allow you to do).

The main character faces basic adult fears. I know I’ve been facing plenty of my own, including my own mortality and realizations about love. Trials force you to take an introspective journey, whether you like it or not.

The author Ned Mansour is doing something incredible with this book. He’s donated the proceeds from the book to TrinityKids Hospice Care. That’s amazingly generous of him!

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Feline Visitor

A week or so ago, my husband left to run an errand. A minute later he returned and calmly requested my assistance. Our cat Luna (Miss Mean Luna) had chased a white cat under his (our) car. He couldn't in good conscience back out of the parking spot because of it and figured I was just the person to resolve the situation.

The kitty was friendly, came right to me when I called. I picked him up and carried him back to the apartment. Luna ran off somewhere because once I step in, she knows she has lost (though don't worry, she came home when she was hungry). I let the white kitty hang out with me while my hubby took care of that errand.







Yes, definitely a cutie! When my husband returned we walked the cat down the sidewalk until he noticed some random crackers that distracted him. We took that as our cue to leave him be. Being so friendly and healthy, I knew he must belong to someone so he needed to go back. I've seen him another time since then and was looking just fine so I think he found his way back home no problem.

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VPS for Your Growing Business

Is your business growing? Have you found that you need access to virtual dedicated servers without the enormous cost? RapidSwitch.com offers packages for as little as one pound per month. Be sure to take a look at their infrastructure map, which clearly displays why RapidSwitch provides a reliable and secure service. Their superior service has caused them to become a leader among server hosting companies in the UK. They also offer VPS which is (virtual private servers) where you have the same benefits of having a private server but at a cost effective price (plus all the customer support you could ever need).

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A Little Cheer


Why a photo of gerber daisies? Because I love them! They're the happiest looking flowers. The mere sight of them cheers me up. So here's some cheer to you!

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Furniture Shopping Online

I’ve been doing some window furniture shopping, literally “windows” since I like to look at furniture online. One of the best bedroom furniture websites I have found is Discount Quality Furniture. They have everything you could need for a bedroom, from a bed frame, to bedding, to an armoire, to a side chair, whatever you’re looking for they have it. They carry a variety of styles and there are different price ranges to choose from (which is good for people like me who bargain hunt). There’s the incredible search feature on the front page that allows you to search via price, style, finish, room piece, and / or manufacturer. That makes it much more time efficient to find exactly what you’re looking for. But it’s also fun to just browse by category.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

License to Wed

(Disclaimer: Another post I found in "Saved Drafts." This one is from August 2008, but still applicable.)

2 days before Joshua proposed to me, we went on a date to celebrate our 1 year and two month anniversary. We saw the movie License to Wed. It was painfully hilarious! We related with it completely (okay, most of the details were not the same, but the trials these characters faced, yeah... been there... except with us it was life throwing it all our way, not a well meaning meddling reverend). Including the crap hits the fan, they're ready to quit, but then they realize that they can't live without each other. Yep, that's us.

We were friends for a year, where I had this monumental crush on him (I was subtle about it though), and as time went on he developed feelings for me due to our compatibility. We just clicked. I made myself available but waited for him to choose whether to take it to the next level. He did :-) We started off with the blissful, madly in love with each other fairytale romance, which lasted about 6 months. That's when the truth about each other crept in. Everything got tough from that point on (the double life, emotional abuse, stark reality of job aspirations, questionable loyalties... yeah, a lot more than the typical "Oh, crap, we have differences! What are we to do?!"). There's a scene in License to Wed where there's this huge make or break fight. When we saw that movie in the theater, we had already been through 2 of those earth shattering fights (and if you think I'm being over dramatic, then you just don't understand because you haven't been there, but others will know exactly what I'm talking about). Truth is, if it hadn't been for the Texas plan miracle that came out of nowhere, we wouldn't have lasted. That gave us hope for a solution to the issues.

For us, getting engaged was a glorious experience, however, being engaged was mostly a nightmare. Not because of the wedding detail nonsense (I just wanted our wedding to be simple and affordable and it was), but because of the war that was waging against us. Most everything was going wrong. Him and I both came close to calling off the wedding. The actual getting married process was also terrifying. However, once we were married we had feelings of peace and love. Our honeymoon was perfect, but definitely too short.

Movies tend to end with the wedding, especially fairytales. (Though isn't it funny when we think of fairytales we seem to only remember the pretty parts and forget the terrible battle fought right before the wedding? We seem to want our own romance to be a fairytale but some reason assume it should be without the drama. Go figure.) However, real life doesn't end at the wedding. When you're dealing with problems that threaten the wedding to not happen, they don't just go away. Movies make it out to be you make one grand decision and you're done with it, problem gone (or the villain is killed, which isn't an option in our case). Goodness, reality is you make that decision, and then the problems generally get worse before they get better! I have lost count of how many "make it or break it" fights we've had now that we're married. But as time goes by we're getting stronger and they're happening less. Well, truth is my husband is regaining control over his life (rather than his family controlling his life) and that's why we have fewer fights. But we hit such a low in the past several weeks, after we saw his family, particularly his mother, and she pushed his buttons which brought on a deluge of pain out of my husband. She rips him apart all so easily. It's truly horrific to see, like a wicked witch casting this destructive spell. While people have told us along the way that his family will warm up to us with time, I don't think they understand the truth of his family. This is one of those situations like Nephi and his people fleeing to a different land to stay safe and separate from the people of Laman and Lemuel since they only look to cause war and contention. And likewise, having to constantly keep look out for war approaching as well as preparing for those battles.

Anyway... I got side tracked there. I highly recommend License to Wed. I know it got bad reviews from the critics, but my guess is that reviewers just didn't get it. But those that have been there, they'll get it and will find the truth funny... painful, but funny. And if you don't get it, oh, well.

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Cats are Funny



I forgot to post a photo of the Christmas card my husband gave me. Isn't it adorable?! You know me, I love anything with a kitty on it.

The funniest thing about this card is that I had it on my desk when our cat Luna spotted it. She immediately started hissing and getting upset out of nowhere... until we realized she was looking at the Christmas card. She thought it was a real cat! LOL!

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Info for you Vampire Fans

Twilight has caused a fresh horde of vampire fans, from those casually interested in the mystique of these mythological beings to those that are obsessively indulging into a vampire infused lifestyle. If you fall anywhere into that spectrum of vampire fans and are interested in making friends that share your interest, check out Vampire Chat at VampireChatCity.com.

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Just when I thought it was under control....

Just when I thought we had my medical bills under control, out of nowhere a bill for the radiologist shows up. Yeah, a whopping $962! Argh... it's never ending!

FYI, the main hospital bill was covered by financial assistance, but there are so many flipping bills that are considered "not included" with the main bill. Ugh... we'll see what we can do about this one.

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Honolulu Real Estate

My younger brother and his wife live in Hawaii. This had led to quite a few discussions (mostly by e-mail) about Honolulu Real Estate. For those that don’t know much about it, the best place to learn is “Honolulu Realestate Search.com.” So if you’re dreaming about living in paradise someday (like my sister-in-law blog says: “Married life in Paradise”) do your research now. On this website you can find everything from property tax information, check the traffic cameras, learn about the beaches, and of course search through current real estate listings. They also have a section devoted to the process of moving to Hawaii, including shipping your car and the specifications for bringing your pet with you. So if you’re genuinely considering moving to Hawaii, or simply have thought of it and are curious, all the information you need is right there on one website.

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I've Calmed Down

So I meant to publish this months ago... and I found it in "saved draft"... but I think it's still applicable hence why I'm publishing it now.

I've thought about it and when I was sick (I was debilitated for 1/3 of my life and still suffer the effects but to a substantially lesser degree) I was always very cranky to hear anyone complain when they clearly had it better than me. So it occured to me, just maybe those that found offense in my blog post are going through a tough time, what they deem to be tougher than my current situation hence their anger. Or perhaps they went through a tough time and are still bitter (yeah, I've been there, it takes time to let go of the bitterness). So my heart is softened, hoping they find healing. It just took me some time to remember back to where I relate. I mean, I already knew this truth as I stated a few posts back, it just took me some time to really wrap my brain around it. Though it doesn't mean I had no right to be offended, just that if I want others to be compassionate towards me, perhaps I should start with more compassion on my part. Granted, in my experience it usually doesn't work and you just get smacked again (let's be real here), but at least it's the better way to be.... I think.

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Schumacher Custom Built Homes

A custom built home is the dream of most; where you finally get a house that is exactly what you want instead of settling on points of disinterest like when you buy a previously owned house (such as the garage isn’t conveniently located to the kitchen, or the bedroom are too small, or the guest bathroom is in a weird spot… you end up settling because the rest of the house meets your requirements but you’ve got to put up with the things that don’t). Schumacher Homes is the company you should seek when you reach your dream and are ready to build that dream house. The specialize is custom houses and are available across America, such as Schumacher Homes Ohio.

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Ode to Houston



That's my home city of Houston. Pretty stunning photograph. I wonder who took and how they got this shot. All I know is that I found it spectacular and wanted to share it. Here's to Houston!

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Friday, January 16, 2009

Eat Those Bills

Who doesn’t love saving money? Better yet, who doesn’t like to reduce their necessary expenses? I love a good website with useful tips on how to save money. Check this out: 10 ways to save money on BillEater.com. You’ve got to love the name “Bill Eater.” The website is a factual and useful blog devoted to saving money. It’s a pretty basic layout, but you’re there for the tips not for some fancy artwork that knocks your socks off.

Whatever money savings tips you are looking for, you can narrow down the search by catagory. I suggest that you check out grocery savings and how to get better gas mileage. Save money!

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To my surprise...

My marriage counter is working! Isn't it pretty? I know, I'm obsessed with this widget, but can you blame me? It's fun to track how long I've been married.

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Check Out My Interview with Drew Seeley!


As you know, this week I had the opportunity to interview Drew Seeley the star of "Another Cinderella Story." And of course I took that opportunity! My article is now published so check it out here. Enjoy!


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Another Cinderella Story



After interviewing Drew Seeley who stars in "Another Cinderella Story" I just had to watch the movie. It makes its television premiere on ABC Family this Sunday at 8pm. It was a movie that went straight to DVD release but has been picked up by this family channel to bring it out of obscurity. (And I will post a link to my interview with him as soon as it's published on TotallyHer.com.) If you haven't heard of this movie, I'll sum it up for you. It's like "Step Up" or "Save the Last Dance" mingled with "A Cinderella Story."

I found the movie on Youtube, granted terrible quality and having to jump from one user to another to get the complete movie, but I got to experience the overall film. (I'm sure the viewing experience will be more pleasant on ABC Family but I don't have cable.) I have to admit, like I told my husband, "I liked about half of it. Overall, it was a good movie with great essence, but it's like they took that good but rough concept and didn't polish it off." The writing was pretty lame, mostly within the comedic relief that tries way too hard and falls flat. However, the dancing is superb and the songs are fun. The romance between Mary and Joey is what it should be for teenagers, it's more about hanging out, enjoying each other's company, and having something in common than it is about romance, making out, and having a fairytale love. It's more real than I've seen in most teenager movies. I like that!

So my recommendation is: If you generally like teenage love story flicks, you'll like this one, but you'll probably only watch it once.

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Dresses on Dessy

There are so many weddings going on! When I look on facebook and a large percentage of the profile pics of my friends are wedding or engagement pictures. YAY :-D

So here’s a tip to find great bridesmaid dresses, try Dessy.com. You’ll find nice After Six formal wear so your bridesmaids will look elegant and lovely, not to outshine the bride of course, but you also don’t want tacky bridesmaids. Remember, those bridesmaids reflect your taste too. And they’re your best friends, so be kind to them with your choice in their formal wear. Another advantage is that a cute bridesmaid dress can actually be worn again, especially with the single ladies that have fun semi-formal dances to attend. Might as well help them out in their search for Mr. Right… especially if they’re the one paying for their own dress anyway.


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Ironic Amusement

Last year I bought my husband a meat marinade set and he's running out of his favorite. I looked at the ingredients so perhaps we could find a suitable substitute. Then I discovered an amusing irony.

Do you see that? "Houston Harvest, Inc." which is made in Illinois!

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Volvo Auto Parts

I would love to own a Volvo. You know these cars are famous for their superior safety ratings and the idea of ever getting into a car wreck terrifies me. But if you buy a foreign car, you have to think about how any repairs on that car could prove trickier to find the right part. Swedishparts.net carries Volvo Parts as well Saab auto parts. So if you own a Volvo, or would like to, now you know where to buy your replacement car parts.

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Kitty Couch

Look at who has taken over the couch...

Our cat Luna.
Luna's favorite spot to sleep used to be on top of a macaroni box. Now that we have a couch, and now that she's not afraid of it, she's decided it is her napping bed. She's still primarily an outside cat, but when she comes in for a visit she can't seem to resist a snooze on the couch.

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Mormon Temples


Washington D.C. Temple


Houston, TX Temple

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was married in the Washington D.C. Temple. There is a lot of curosity towards our temples. A friend sent me a link to this article publised on National Public Radio known as NPR. The article does a good job of explaining what there is to know about "Mormon Temples." If you've ever been curious
check it out here. Also, don't miss the temple photos they provided in their photo gallery.

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Ode to Houston

I'm really growing to love where I live. I still hate the city roads, but other than that I'm growing to love the city of Houston. So much so, I'm going to start a periodic "Ode to Houston" photo blog post series (randomly posted whenever I feel like it) that feature flattering photos of my home city (that I found on Google, maybe eventually I'll take some city photos of my own).

To start things off, here is the city of Houston at night!

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Roca Wear Brand

Roca Wear is known for its urban hip-hop aesthetic, but the designs transcend the original roots and appeal to a broad consumer basis. For example, check out the selection for Roca Wear Purse. These handbags are stylish by any standard. Practical too. I looked through men’s wear and found sweaters that I’d love on my husband and he’s anything but urban or hip-hop ;-) I guess it’s true what I’ve heard that the brand does extend into other facets of style. The variety of designs makes the brand what it is, it is about being innovative in fashion, but through ingenious design that maintains a chic appearance. The high quality clothing, quality that is seen within the details, is what brings customers back for more. You may be surprised to know that Roca Wear covers the gambit of buyers offering clothing in Men, Big & Tall, Women, Plus Size, and Kids. They also sell accessories and I’m sure you’re not surprised to know that they have a fragrance line too. I’ve heard about Roca Wear plenty of times before but never knew what it was about. Now I see why it’s considered a hot brand with trendsetting designs and revered as cool among the teenagers and 20 somethings.

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Gerber Daisies

Yes, my Christmas tree is still up but at least I changed the wallpaper on my computer. I had a cute Christmas kitten. Sorry, I didn't keep a copy of the kitten picture to share and I don't remember where I found it online. However, take a look at my new wallpaper. I just love Gerber Daisies :-)

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The XML Challenge

What is the XML Challenge? It is a group of 5 separate contests that allow the contestants to compete using their computer / internet programming and developing skills. The contests are:
*Video Contest: Invent a creative use of XML, XQuery or DB2 and record yourself doing it.
* Gadget Contest: Develop a downloadable gadget or widget leveraging DB2.
* Query Contest: Use XQuery to find five answers. The best queries win the best prizes!
* Ported App Contest1: Port or develop a new app for DB2. Enter as an individual or assemble a team.
* XML2 Contest: Win by building useful, user-friendly XML apps from scratch. Enter as an individual or assemble a team.

Whether you are a professional developer or a college student or just have a knack for computers, all are welcome to enter. However, you will first need to take a quiz beforehand. Even if you have no prior experience you are invited to take the quiz and give the contest a shot. For those that do have experience, this would make for excellent resume fodder should you place well in the contest. This is definitely an opportunity to get an edge on the competition in your field by beating out the competition in this contest first.

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It's Still Up

Our Christmas tree is sill up. I just haven't gotten around to taking it down. The funny thing is that I've gotten so used to it being there I don't even realize it is there most of the time. Funny how having a tree in your home for a month will do that to you.

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Premium Hair Care Products

Looking for premium hair care products? We’re all self-conscience of our hair and some us need more help than others to make our hair great. Me, I’m a lucky one, but there are plenty of people that need an extra something to make the most out of what they naturally have. Some people may be losing their hair or simply have fine, thin looking hair by nature. The product line of nioxin is perfect for solving this problem. It nourishes the scalp and gives the appearance of thicker hair. There are different formulas to address your specific hair needs such as color treated or varieties of hair texture. Where to get it? Store.HelloGorgeous.net offers not only nioxin, but also a large variety of high end hair care products. You can treat yourself like a star, but at home. Plus, I love the advantages of shopping online. Simply order and it’s brought right to your home. This website offers flat rate shipping of $4.95. That’s fantastic. They also boast the lowest price. Many of the products are salon quality (perhaps even the same brand depending on where you go to the salon) but at discount prices. So if you like to treat yourself to the best, this is the place to find it.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

25 Random Facts About Me

I got tagged on Facebook and completed this survey. Thought I'd share it on my blog too.

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged . If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

1. I love the internet! (Most of the time.) But you’d be surprised to know that I had no experience with the internet until I was 17 years old.

2. No one helped me get into my writing career. That’s right, I had no insider information. I researched it all on my own, applied like mad crazy, took tons of rejection, and made it happen over many years of working my tail off. So if you want to be a writer, that’s the only way to do it.

3. I drink a whole lot of water.

4. I’ve done a couple of professional foot modeling gigs. I have nice feet and especially cute toes.

5. I love pulling anonymous harmless pranks on people, particularly with the help of my husband.

6. I’m allergic to onions and garlic. I inherited the allergy from my Grandpa.

7. I figured I’d be older when I got married. I estimated 27. That is IF I ever got married. Instead I got married at 22. Funny how life works.

8. I’ve been trying to sell things and earn money since I was 3 or 4. Apparently, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit.

9. I’m extremely picky about music. Unless it’s jazz. I love anything jazz. And of course, my favorite band Hanson though they are clearly not jazz ;-)

10. I designed jewelry for Hair Thread a company in NYC. I worked with the CEO Paula Patrice.

11. My husband is the only person that I actually enjoy being around on a daily basis. No offense to everyone else, but I prefer most people in small doses. That’s how I knew Joshua was the one for me; he was the only one I could stand to be around all of the time ;-)

12. My favorite board / card game is Killer Bunnies. Second place belongs to Balderdash. Third is awarded to Pictionary. But I will admit, I hate Monopoly.

13. I’m a perfectionist and a procrastinator. A terrible combination.

14. I don’t like jelly beans or tootsie rolls (both favorites of my husband).

15. For the most part I hate talking on the phone. Awkward silences and lack of body language makes it uncomfortable. There are a few people that are the exception to that, but if we lived closer I’d rather talk in person.

16. I enjoy tasks that involve analyzing data, hunting for information, and coming up with the best. Especially if it’s bargain hunting.

17. I’m allergic to cats. I developed the allergy when I was 15 years old due to health problems that weakened my immune system. But I still love cats anyway and even have my own cat.

18. I had braces for 7 years.

19. My ancestry is Swedish, Danish, British, complete with Mormon pioneers on both my Mom and Dad’s sides (though my Dad isn’t a Mormon).

20. I must have my clothes organized by color and sleeve / skirt length.

21. Driving scares me. Too many physical and financial disaster possibilities.

22. I have little to no desire to be famous, but would like to be rich.

23. I rarely read books. I’m more of a website and magazine reader.

24. I never expected to ever visit Texas, let alone live in Texas. What more, I never expected to love Texas now that I’m here. Primarily I love Kingwood, Texas.

25. My husband Joshua, I thought he was so cute from the moment I met him. But when I found out his name was “Joshua” the same as my brother, I thought it was weird so I brushed off the thought of him. Later on I found out he liked cats so from that point on I didn’t care what he was named! I wanted him! Granted we also had a lot more in common than just that, but I’m the crazy ol’ cat lady, I had to find a man that was okay with that.

I tag anyone that wants to do this survey (I found it fun, you probably would too).

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Valentine's Day Gifts

My husband and I were noticing as we were running a few errands last night that the stores are already full of Valentine’s gifts. The special day will be here before we know it! Last year my sweetie bought me flowers. I made him cookies and bought him a fun dice game, where there are two dice and you roll them and you end up with results like “Kiss on the couch.”

I was looking at RedEnvelope.com and their Valentine’s Day gift selection. They too have a fun dice game as well as plenty of other romantic gifts. While Valentine’s Day is about celebrating your love for one another, you have to admit the gifts are a lot of fun. They help you to express your love, appreciation, and even desire for your partner. For example, a gift of matching terry cloth robes says, “Let’s spend a relaxing and romantic day together.” I would love that! On RedEnvelope.com not only will you find matching terry cloth robes, but “I Love You” candles, chocolate dipped strawberries, and rose petal soaps to help set the mood for that relaxing and romantic celebration of the holiday. Yes, that sounds like an ideal Valentine’s Day to me!

I also found on that website a fun card based question and answer game (those are so much fun and you really get to know whomever you play with much better). It’s called “Table Topics Game.” They have the couple’s version advertised for Valentine’s Day. They also have original and family version available too, so if you’re getting together with friends to share the love, this game would be a great conversation starter as well as a fun way to strengthen your friendships.

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Hit or Miss

Have you noticed that sometimes my marriage counter is working and other times it isn't? Weird, huh? I'm taking a little look around to find an alternative counter that is more likely to work regularly. Or maybe mine will just magically come back all together. Here's hoping!

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It Is What It Is

Anytime I read a magazine with a lot of celebrities in it there are always a lot of ads for Fenphedra. Probably gets people’s attention when they’re looking at the ideal version of what a woman or man should look like and want to look like that themselves. We’re all self-conscious like that, where we see what we want to be but then because we’re in an instant gratification world we look to where we can buy what we want to be. Yeah… that’s how it is.

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Hard Working People

The difficult economy and loss of jobs is causing more and more people to seek out vocational and technical schools by subject based on what fields are actually hiring. This is a good trend. I think it’s causing more people to have be practical and hard working. When our economy was flourishing and people were wasteful and prideful, the quality of people in general diminished. Now that people need to be more resourceful, more humble, and honestly hard working it’s good for our society as a whole.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Drew Seeley Interview - My 3rd Celebrity Interview


I just got done with my 3rd celebrity interview. I spoke with Drew Seeley on the phone. If you don't know who he is, he co-wrote the song "Get Your Head in the Game" on High School Musical, he has made appearances in all kinds of Disney tv shows, played Troy Bolton in the High School Musical Tour while Zac Efron was filming Hairspray, and now Drew Seeley is co-starring with Selena Gomez in the ABC Family movie Another Cinderella Story (which will be on this Sunday night).

Here's a little video with all the snipits put together from the episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody that he appeared on. Pretty cool, huh?



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The Medical Bills

The medical bills from my hospital stay in November are getting all sorted out. Thank goodness! More like thank you hubby, because he's been calling the scary bill collectors. Sure I'm capable, but he offered and I've been thrilled to have his help with this.

The big monster bill has been covered by charity, which we applied for before I left the hospital (yes, we're that poor that we were covered, when I told the lady what our taxable income was as stated on last year's return, she asked in quite a tone, "And that was for both of you?!"). However, a few of the bills were not included. The GI specialist bill we will be paying on a little bit at a time over the next year or so. We're in the process of trying to get the ER doctor bill either reduced or cleared based on our lack of insurance and low income. And the pathology bill should also be covered under charity, but we're still in the paperwork process.

And you know when we got all those bills? Right before Christmas. Talk about undue stress over the holidays. And it's been a back and forth "call this place" "call that person" to get this all sorted out. Not fun, which is why I'm so relieved that it is finally getting under control.

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Looking?

Single? Looking for your own “supposed newlywed bliss?” It all starts with finding the right person. But that can be tricky, especially when you’re in situation where you don’t meet many people. Some people decide to go the route of online dating. It’s amazing how many people have actually found good dating possibilities and sometimes even the love of their life this way. But it can be daunting and intimidating going the primarily online route. This is what sets Great Expectations apart from your typical online dating service. They plan local events where you can mix and mingle with singles in person from your area. Whether it’s Great Expectations - Overland Park, KS, Richmond, VA, Atlanta, GA, or many other cities, you will have access to a local in person office location, plus the advantages of group get togethers to help you meet that right person. And the best thing about this dating service is that they do background checks on everyone, so that means safety and security. They offer a website that is available to all cities, including those with physical offices, so it’s a great mix of all of the dating service practices available. Sometimes it takes that extra effort to find the right one.

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Counter Not Working

My counter from weddingcountdown.com has stopped working :-( I can't even access the website. It's really too bad because I like seeing the official count of how long my husband and I have been married. It's just fun and I'm a statistical kind of person that gets a kick out of numbers like that.

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Strategize a Franchise

Have the stock market blunders caused you to think you’d be better investing your money elsewhere? Has the fickle job security found in most companies made you consider being your own boss? Start a business by investing your money into a franchise and create your own job security by your own hard work being the boss. FranchiseOpportunities.com is the biggest online directory of franchise business opportunities with a vast array of franchise possibilities (think everything from restaurants to beauty salons to photography studios and so much more). They also help you to search through your options based on a number of criteria.

Have you noticed that some places seem to thrive no matter how the economy is doing? Have you been out of state and stopped by a store, a restaurant, or received a service and thought, “This would be a great business back at home. Everyone would love it.” You probably have, especially if you’re the type that looks for opportunities and how to profit from them. So why not give it a shot? With a franchise you’d have an already established brand name and the methods to run the business successfully, all you have to do it keep it moving along smoothly… or you could hire someone to do that. Any which way, a franchise makes for a good business move and it is an investment where you actually have a stake in making it work and actively making it grow.

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Random Smiley Face


Yes, that's one of those Walmart smiley face stickers on the bottom of my husband's shoe. Granted he doesn't look too happy about it, but it definitely cracked me up. I found it so amusing I just had to take a picture and post it. Too bad it took me a couple of months (hence why his hair is long in the photo, I will admit, I love his new hairstyle so much more)... but getting gravely ill the end of November has definitely affected my "to-do" lists. But I think I'm just about caught up on the November photos now :-)

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Who Wants to Be a Torchbearer in the Olympic Torch Relay?

Getting active is a goal all around being in our sedentary society built upon an electronically dependent lifestyle, particularly when it comes to kids and teenagers. Coca-Cola Canada is getting involved by sponsoring the website SOGO Active. It’s all about getting active and being social while you’re at it. Putting together groups and teams to get together, have fun, and play sports.

The Vancouver Olympic Torch Relay for 2010 is an exciting event. What makes it more exciting is that SOGO Active is offering one thousand torchbearer positions to teenagers there in Canada that show active commitment and successful participation in the SOGO Active program. Basically, if you join SOGO Active, get involved with your local community of fellow members of the program, and participate regularly in the sporting events (or simply just fun and active events without being competitive), then you qualify to be among those in consideration for those 1000 torchbearer spots. What teenager wouldn’t love to be part of the Olympics by participating in the Torch Relay? Those are major bragging rights!

On of the best things about SOGO Active is that it not only encourages being physical active and healthy, but it also cultivates social and leadership skills. A lot is learned by organizing and participating in sports with other people. The skills gained are essential to growing into healthy, well adjusted adults.

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Monday, January 12, 2009

High School Musical


I love the whole High School Musical Series. Can you really resist wholesome musical entertainment? Even if you can resist, why would you want to? My husband resisted the entire High School Musical phenomenon. He did so under a prejudice mindset, not knowing much about it at all. As much as I found the movies to be fun and even something I thought he'd like and even relate to, he stubbornly resisted.

In the summer he talked me into seeing Indiana Jones with him, late at night even, convincing me to get out of bed and go with him to see this movie. I gave in. I'll admit, Indiana Jones 4 wasn't too bad (but we all know that it wasn't that good either). While he and I were at the movie theater I noticed the poster advertising High School Musical 3! I struck up a deal with my hubby, perhaps more of a backhanded ploy, but a deal none the less. Since I was there with him to see Indiana Jones then it'd only be fair for him to take me to see High School Musical 3. He begrudgingly agreed.

November 8th he took me to see High School Musical 3. I absolutely LOVED the movie! And you know what? My husband liked it too! (He is very insistent that he did not love it but that he did like it.) He identified with Troy making all of those big life decisions, as well as many other points but that was the main one. A few weeks later, I even got him to watch the first High School Musical with me, one he also related with on so many counts.

He snapped a quick picture of us at the theater. We got all dressed up for fun... it was our anniversary weekend afterall!


And here I am in my pretty dress :-)


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Saturday, January 10, 2009

Our One Year Wedding Anniversary!!!


Our one year wedding anniversary was November 7th. It was a whole lot of fun (despite the fact that I was sick with a sinus infection).

My Mom had mailed us our wedding attire, his tux and my wedding dress. We had left these in VA due to lack of space in our luggage (especially since that luggage was serving double duty since I used our luggage allotment in order to move my belongings to Texas). So we got our box right before our anniversary and opened it on the 7th. Immediately, I was admiring my dress. Originally I was just planning to wear the blouse to my dress since it'd go with anything, but as I was running my fingers over the beautiful beading on the skirt I said to my husband, "I'm tempted to wear my wedding dress."

His response was, "Why not? I'll put on my tux and you'll put on your wedding dress and we'll go out to dinner like that. It'll be fun!"

So that's exactly what we did.


It was so much fun and yes, we got plenty of attention and lots of people saying, "Congratulations!" Even when we'd admit that it was our one year anniversary, everyone thought it was a cute idea to get dressed up in our wedding attire and celebrate the special day that way.

Brides know there is a certain saddness about the wedding being over and never getting to wear their wedding dress again (wedding bell blues). I was fortunate enough to wear mine twice, on our wedding day and at our reception. However, I was still sad. Third time's the charm because wearing my dress again out in public really took care of that "I'll never get to wear my wedding dress again" sadness. I highly recommend it. Was it a crazy idea? Yes, absolutely. But it was a blast!

We went to Cheesecake factory with its upscale atmosphere and delicious food. We ordered the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake and Joshua surprised me by having the cook write "Happy 1st Anniversary to You" on it.



Since our piece of wedding cake was ruined in the hurricane, this served as our tasty substitute.

Joshua caught a photo of me eating.


And here I am offering him parsley.


Here he is being happy.


And now he's feeding me cake!


After dinner we were enjoying the Christmas decorations outside and trying to figure out a self portrait shot when an off duty waiter offered to take some pictures.






Here's to our first wedding anniversary and many, many more!

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Friday, January 09, 2009

Decorative Hardware

I have an old dresser that I'd like to fix up.

We got it free and it's about time I got to this project. I already bought paper to line the drawers and the supplies to clean it up a bit, but you know what it really needs? Some fancy decorative hardware.

Looking through InvitingHome.com I found many options that are simply gorgeous.

Here is one of my favorites. The Opulent-Flower Wood Knob in Walnut and Bight Brass.




This is what the dresser would look like with these lovely knobs.



Stunning, isn't it?

Another option that I find breathtakingly beautiful, is the Victorian Jeweled Knob in Antique Brass with Tiger's Eye.



I also like the Victorian Jeweled Pull in Bright Brass with Tiger's Eye.



This is what the dresser would look like with these pulls.



It's hard to decide between so many that all give such beauty to any piece of furniture they adorn. I've never seen such a vast assortment and variety of unique products like I have found at InvitingHome.com.

Let me tell you more about this website. InvitingHome.com specializes in all the little things that you don’t immediately think about but are useful not only in a practical sense, but also for making your home beautiful. These items include shutters, molding, decorative hardware, wall décor, lighting, wood carvings, furnishing, and so much more. This is the place to find the unique and lovely. You’ll find options you won’t find anywhere else. Many professionals shop this website, and they also utilize its many features including the installation guides and inspiration gallery, which you can too! So if you are looking to fix up, update, and decorate your home you should visit InvitingHome.com.

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