Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all of my family, friends and blog friends!

We are low key when it comes to our New Year Eve's celebrations. I make a bunch of appetizers and we have a "picnic in the living room" on the coffee table with our Shirley Temples. Allison looks forward to it every year....actually, I do too!

I hope you all have a safe day and I'll see you next year!

Have Fun!

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A Santa Surprise!

As I've mentioned before, I am the head party parent for Allison's class this year. I was struggling with the game for the holiday party so her teacher gave me a suggestion. She suggested that I wrap a present and put candy canes for each child in the box and then put that present in another box and so on and so on. Then they would all stand in a circle and pass the box around to Christmas music and when the music stopped the student holding the box would unwrap the present. Then the student who opened the last box could pass out the candy canes.

I liked this idea!

Except...you know me! I had to put my own twist on it!

I decided to make little cellophane gift bags for each child. I included a holiday pencil, candy cane and one of the other Mothers made little bags of reindeer dust to put in it. The cellophane bags were red with Santas all over them. I ended up with 6 boxes all wrapped in Santa paper but the final box was huge and I couldn't figure out how I was going to carry it to the party with everything else I had to carry.

That's when the light bulb came on in my head!

I would deliver it a week before the party with a tag on it from Santa!

I made a huge tag and on it I typed out:

To: Room 7

Do not open until your Christmas party on Tuesday, December 23rd!

Love, Santa

The security guard delivered it for me and that night I received a note card from her teacher saying the look on their faces were priceless!

When I got to her room the day of the party, her teacher shared with me the excitement had been building and the kids were so excited about the package. She said they have been guessing all week!

I started the party with the present and told them that Santa had called me and told me what to do with the present. They were so adorable! They couldn't wait to get that thing opened!

Allison's teacher was so sweet and stopped the music the first time on her.

They freaked when there was another box! As you can see, they crowded the poor child who had the box!
Here is the final box with the gift bags. I included a note from Santa and it said:

Congratulations Boys and Girls!

This is the last box and inside you will find a little gift from me.

If you are the one that opened this last present, please be my little helper and pass one out to all of your classmates.

Enjoy your party and don’t forget to leave milk and cookies out for me!

Love, Santa (with his name signed in red marker)

See, I told you the kids were excited!
Then there was a visit (unplanned) from Santa immediately following the opening up of the present. Allison's teacher caught him in the hallway and explained to him what we just did. He played right into it and asked the kids if they got his early package!
The kids were captivated by him!

Have Fun!

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A Little Christmas Token!

I know Christmas is over but I have a couple of ideas that I wanted to post on my blog. I promise that as of the 1st of January, you will not see any more Christmas posts until Christmas of 2009!

Anyway, I like to give the managers that work with me a little something for Christmas. I don't actually work for them but I still like to acknowledge them just the same. In the past I've done S'more baskets, hot chocolate with snowman mugs and last year, I did home done chocolate covered oreos in holiday tins.

This year I was looking for something very easy and very affordable since I had to make six of them. I searched blogs and found the cutest idea. It is a bird nest for their Christmas tree. I have had a bird nest in my tree for over 20 years so this idea was the perfect choice for me.

You'll need Spanish moss and little plastic eggs. I found them at Michael's craft store in the same isle. All you do is tear off a piece of the moss and form it into a birds nest. I just spun it in my hands in a circular motion with my thumbs making the indentation for the eggs. It comes together in a minute. Then I hot glued 3 eggs in the middle. I popped them into cellophane bags that I had on hand and added the explanation. I printed out "An Old Christmas Legend" on card stock and then tore the edges. Burning the edges would be really cute too but Allison was at home and I didn't think it would be a good example to set for her. I added a bow with ribbon that I also had on hand and VOILA! It was done! It was seriously so easy and everyone loved them!
Here is the legend:

An Old Christmas Legend

Long ago, great happiness and good fortune came to those who chose a Christmas tree with a bird’s nest in its branches.

Here is a little nest for your Christmas tree.
May the legend come true for you.

Have Fun!

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Our Christmas & My Observation!

We had a great Christmas! Usually I kill myself making it exactly what I envision in my mind for my family. This year with everything going on, I just couldn't do it. I concentrated on the most important of our traditions but other things had to be cut out of my plan. I was worried that our Christmas wouldn't be up to par but you know what?

No one cared and it was the best Christmas we've had as a family yet!

I am sick every year on Christmas because I think I nearly kill myself trying to get everything done. I think it's my body telling me to take a break! However. This year I didn't stress about getting everything done and I didn't get sick this year! It was awesome!

I cuddled in bed with Allison Christmas night for a little bit and she said thanked me for a great Christmas and all her presents. I asked her what she loved the best and she said "I love everything the same; even the clothes." She has no idea how wonderful she made me feel by her little statement of reflection and thanks! She showed me that even though I didn't get everything done that I wanted, I did accomplish my mission by making her Christmas a memorable one for her!

Thanks baby! You are such a sweetie!

Here are some of my favorite photos of Christmas. Yes, they are all of Allison but it is her that made it so wonderful for me!

Allison wanted to put the ornaments on the tree this year. I let go of my perfectionism and let her have at it. She put them all on and our tree was beautiful! I have enough ornaments for 5 trees and I let her choose what she wanted to put on it. She picked all the ornaments that I have collected over many decades. Some of them haven't been on my tree for years. I enjoyed seeing them and sharing their memories with her.

As you can see my window doesn't have curtains on it. I had bought new curtains but never got the chance to paint the curtain rod. Even though I would have liked the curtains up for the picture, it didn't take away from our Christmas.

Our family presents that the three of us open on Christmas Eve. I had asked Allison earlier in the season how she felt about receiving 3 presents from us and 3 from Santa just like baby Jesus. She didn't flinch and was fine with it. However, I miscalculated and she ended up with 6 from us! Oops! I had forgotten that I picked up a couple of small ones during the year!

I love this baby!

This robe was a last minute idea and she loves it! I saw it at Target when I was looking for a holiday shirt for her to wear to school. It was on the 50% off rack and was under 10 bucks! It is so thick and soft! I'm thinking I may go back and see if they still have them. I would like to get the next size up for when she outgrows this one!

"Woooo Woooo!" Obviously she LOVED her make-up! That's my girl!
Oh and before anyone goes judging me and I get hate mail, the make-up is for special occasions and only Mommy is permitted to apply it. She knows too much "makes me look trashy."




As you can see by the look on her face, she absolutely didn't know that the Nintendo DS was a possibility. I had told her that it was a bit expensive and it probably wasn't going to happen. She asked if we could save for it and get it for her 8th birthday in July.
This was the highlight of my Christmas!
I didn't capture the kiss but here's the hug!
Telling my Mom about the Nintendo DS.
Doesn't she look so grown up?

Santa's delivery. He miscounted too and delivered 4! He also cheated and added the Webkinz friends!
Even with bed hair she's still cute!
I love her reactions!
What is with the kissing and hugging?
Santa brought her 20 "Magic Tree House" chapter books. This should keep her busy for the next several months!

Did you know that only Santa wraps presents in Santa paper?She's growing up too fast!

Have Fun!

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Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours!

May you and yours have a blessed Christmas Day.

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Someone's in the Holiday Spirit!

I'm still trying to keep my head above water but I HAD to post this! I was running around like a mad woman yesterday trying to complete things on my to do list when I saw this van! I was on the phone with my Mom and burst out laughing! I told my Mom that I wish I had my camera to take a picture of it because it was too funny! Then I realized I could use my cell phone but I was already passed it. I didn't have time to turn around but said if it was still there on my way back, I would stop to take a quick pic! I'm glad it was still there! It just makes me laugh! I hope it makes you laugh too!

Unless I post a quickie entry, I probably won't be back until after Christmas. There is just too much to do! I will have a small give-a-way though so make sure you keep checking back!

Have Fun!

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A "Thankful" Find!

I'm sorry I haven't posted but as you probably know me by now, I attempt & agree to do more than is humanly possible...and I've done it again! There is too much on my plate and I'm trying to keep my head above water! I'll be back full force when I can. I promise.

Before I go, I want to share what I found when I was attempting to organize all these school papers that come home every week! Ugh!

This is definitely a keeper!

Giving Thanks
By Allison
Thanksgiving is for giving thanks.
I am thankful for my life because I am alive.
I am thankful for school because it makes me smart.
I am thankful to be normal because it is good to be normal.
I am thankful for food because food gives you energy.
I am thankful for water to keep me from getting dehydrated.
I am thankful for family because they keep my company.
I am thankful for my pets because they are very cuddling pets.
I am thankful for my friends because they are fun to be with.
I am thankful for science projects because they are fun.
I have a lot to be thankful for.

Have Fun!

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Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my Birthday!

Woo Hoo!

Even though as you get older birthdays aren't as much fun as when you were younger, I'm still celebrating the day God gave me life!

Isn't this cake beautiful?
It looks like it's my favorite...white almond cake with regular icing...none of that whipped cream stuff for me! I like the good old fashioned sweet icing! Yum!

Have Fun!

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My Daughter's a Turkey!

Uncle Rudy (Curtis's best friend) has always called Allison turkey. It's his pet name for her.

Well in November she was chosen as Star Student for her class. They take their picture and do a bulletin board in the hallway by the office with the current month's theme. Last year she was February's Star Student so it was a Dr. Seuss theme and this year.....

She's a TURKEY!!!

This came home yesterday and we have it hanging on the refrigerator.

We (Curtis & I) can't wait for Uncle Rudy to notice it!

Allison, of course, doesn't find it so funny!

She'll live!

Have Fun!

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My 1st Works-for-Me Wednesday!

Every Wednesday I check out a blog carnival at "Rocks in My Dryer" called "works-for-me Wednesday." Hundreds (and I'm not kidding) woman link their blogs and share something that "works for them." I've gotten quite a few ideas from there so I thought I would share something that works for me this week. You can click here to see what others have posted this week but be sure you have some time, there's a lot of links!

We have a small bucket that sits on our counter with pretty pink ribbon on the handle. We use it to measure good deeds and behavior for Allison.

It all started when we were sitting at Open House at school. Her teacher told the parents that the Guidance Counselor did a presentation to the kids about filling someone's bucket. She explained that you can fill someone's "bucket" by doing or saying nice things for or to them. Some of the things could be picking up their pencil when they drop it or telling them you like their shirt today. Basically anything that can fill them up and make them feel good. She also explained that you can take from someone's bucket and make them feel sad.

When the teacher was explaining this concept, a light went on in my head. Yes. Occasionally the light switch does get flipped and I come off with some good ideas. Anyway. I thought I could make this "Fill the Bucket" speech work for us.

I went to Michael's and bought a small galvanized bucket, floral stones and ribbon. I went to work and made the bucket look pretty and fun. After all, little girls like pretty!

I then cleared a place in our kitchen junk drawer for the stones. We actually call them pebbles. Oh...and I can't believe I'm showing you my junk drawer!

After I was prepared, we presented the idea to Allison. Basically she can earn pebbles to help fill her bucket by doing nice things or good behavior. We use it to reinforce what is expected of her. We do not have a list with how many pebbles she gets for doing a specific task posted anywhere. This isn't a "payment" or reward system for doing chores like setting the table or feeding the cats. She knows those things are some of her responsibilities of being part of a family. They are things that need to be done in the home and it's our job to get them done. It's also not a bribe system as in "if you do this, you'll get a certain amount of pebbles." The pebbles are given at Mom and Dad's discretion so she doesn't know when she will earn them or lose them. It keeps her on her toes this way. If she does something without having to be reminded, she'll earn a couple of pebbles but she also doesn't earn them every time she does something either. As an example: If she makes her bed three days in a row without being told, I'll throw a couple of pebbles in her bucket each day. If she makes it on the fourth day, I don't throw pebbles in her bucket. If she asks about it, I explain to her that it's her responsibility to make her bed and not having to remind her was wonderful for Mommy and that she shouldn't be making her bed because she thinks she's going to get something for it but because it's her responsibility. She usually understands. I then pray that I taught her a good habit and she'll make her bed the next day without being told!

Some of the things she can earn pebbles for are: doing something extra I ask her to do with no fussing, doing something without me having to tell her, eating her whole breakfast without me having to say "Allison, please eat", doing homework correctly, putting the kitties down when they squirm (she loves to hold and love them to death), giving compliments (she earned 10 the other day when she said the dinner I made was the best she's ever had in her whole life!) and she's also earned some for reciting a prayer she needed to learn for church.

Some of the things she can lose pebbles for are: not listening, sassing (yes, my sweet daughter can sass...I'm hoping it's just the age!), me having to repeat myself more than a couple of times when I ask her to do something. This one is my favorite. Through my frustration of her not doing what I ask, my voice gets louder. I admit it but I think most of you Mom's out there can relate. However, with the bucket system, I just walk over to the bucket and reach in and take a pebble out. I make sure that I make a lot of noise when I do this which is sure to result in Allison's change of attitude and she immediately does what I was asking her to do. When her stubbornness kicks in though, it does take more than one pebble at times but I make sure I am very dramatic in my actions when I take them out of the bucket and eventually she gives in. You may think this is cruel but I say it's effective.

What happens when the bucket is full, you ask?

Well. Allison gets to pick an activity. Some of the ideas I've offered up to her are: going to a movie or renting a movie of her choice, sled riding, a picnic in the park, going to the library, baking something special or anything she wants to do. She is currently working on a family picnic in the park. I told Curtis that it may be 30 degrees and snow everywhere but by golly we'll be there with our picnic basket!

Wait! Did I just say "by golly"???

Have Fun!

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Not Much Time!

I don't have much time for a big post but I thought I would stop by and say...

23 Days till Christmas!!!!

Also, the two pictures below are a couple of the reasons why our tree will not be going up until the week before Christmas!

Notice there is no decorative garland or strands of beautiful beads on our tree????

This is why! She managed to pull them off to make way for her resting place!

And this year she has a partner in crime!

Please say a prayer that these kitties live through the holidays!

Have Fun!

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Menu Plan Monday ~ Dec. 1st!

Wow! Can you believe it's December already?!?

So that makes it 24 more days until Christmas!!

Are you hating me yet for the countdown?

So. Here's my menu for the week. I did really well last week and kept to most of last week's. We ended up having Chicken Fajitas on Sunday since there wasn't enough leftovers from Thanksgiving for what I had planned.

When you are done checking out what we are having for dinner, click on over to Organizing Junkie to see what others are planning for their menu this week!

Monday - I'm working late and Allison is at her grandparents' today since there is no school so Grandma will be feeding my crew.

Tuesday - Pasta with Meat Sauce, Salad and Texas Toast.

Wednesday - Beef roast in the crock pot with potatoes, carrots and green beans.

Thursday - Pierogi Skillet Dinner.

Friday - Homemade Pizza Night if I get home in time, if not it will be frozen Schwan's Pizza Night for Daddy and Allison.

Saturday - We are going to see a show in Pittsburgh so we'll be having dinner out.

Sunday - Baked Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes and Corn.

Have Fun!

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Two Happy Finds!

It's that time of the year again when the furnace gets turned up and I take hotter showers to stay warm. This of course provides me with dry skin! I know I'm not alone. Everyone seems to complain about it and my hand lotion on my desk at work seems to need replaced more frequently at this time of year.

I don't know about all of you but I am picky about the lotion that I use.

When I put lotion on myself I don't want it to feel greasy or oily. So many of them advertise that they are non-greasy but then I find it's just not the case.

I also don't feel like it if it leaves a thick film on my hands or body like I'm wearing a glove.

Applying it every half an hour because I'm dry again is not my idea of a good lotion.

Heavily scented lotions aren't my thing either. Although I love some of the frangrances at Bath and Body Works, I can't stand to smell them all day long. It actually makes me a little nausious and messes with my sinuses.

So as you can see, finding a lotion that I like is hard for me.

I've been using Vaseline Total Moisture Dry Skin Lotion for years. It works and I like it but this year I bought a couple of different ones to try. I had some coupons for them and KMart was doing their double coupon thing up to $2.00 so I figured this was a good time to try some new ones. I bought two. One hand and one body and did I luck out! I love them both. A lot!

The hand lotion I bought was Nivea Smooth Indulgence Hand Cream. It took a couple of applications for it to absorb into my hands because they were really dry. Our soap at work has strong anti-bacterial stuff in it and your hands are dry immediately after you wash them. This hand cream is a blessing. Not greasy. Not oily. Not stinky!

The body lotion is prescription strength without a prescription. It is Vaseline Clinical Therapy. It's available in unfragranced or lightly fragrance. I have the lightly frangranced one because I didn't know until I started to write this post that they had it in unfragranced. They are right. It has a really light scent to it and it's a nice one. This is the second day I used it after a hot shower and it lasted all day! Really! I'm telling you the truth and I'm not greasy, oily or sticky!I love it!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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Curtis has an Enemy!

Yes. That's right.

My sweet, lovable, easy-going honey has an enemy.

I know! It's crazy!

For those of you that know him in person probably find this hard to believe.

It's true.

I wouldn't lie!

Whenever he comes near this enemy, his stress level goes up and his palms get sweaty.

I'm sure his heart starts racing too!

It's actually quite frightening!

Do you want to see his enemy?

Here's the enemy!

Okay. Stop laughing!

I'm serious!

He hated my electric can opener so I got this Pampered Chef one.

I think he hates this one even more!

He can't open a can with it.

He resorts to a screwdriver and raw power.

I'm speaking of his biceps.

Good thing my man has some guns!

Have Fun!

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Menu Plan Monday ~ Nov. 24th!

Since things are starting to back in order around here, I thought I would help it along by posting my weekly menu again. I find that doing a weekly menu helps to eliminate some of the weekly stress of "What's for dinner tonight?"

After you see what I'm cooking this week, click on over to The Organizing Junkie and see what others have planned for their meals this week.

Also, if you are in need of a good Winter soup recipe, stop over at my cooking blog, From The Heart of My Kitchen, and check out my recipe for Italian Wedding Soup.

Here's what we are having this week:

Monday - Stuffed Shells, Green Beans and Texas Toast.

Tuesday - Tuna Noodle Casserole.

Wednesday - Baked Potato Soup in the crock pot with fresh baked bread.

Thursday - 2 Thanksgiving meals at both of our families. I'll be taking Sweet Potato Casserole to Mom's and a dessert to Curtis's.

Friday - Allison is at Grandma and Pa Pa's all day and I'll be working late so Grandma is cooking for Allison and Daddy.

Saturday - Turkey Pot Pie with leftover turkey from Mom! I'm using my Chicken Pot Pie recipe and subbing turkey!

Sunday - If there is enough turkey leftovers, we'll have Hot Turkey Sandwiches with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Corn.

Have Fun!

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32 Days Till Christmas!

Can you believe it?

There are only 32 days left until Christmas!

Are you ready?

I'm not doing too badly actually. I have most of my presents purchased and just waiting for a couple of items to come in stock so I can pick those up. I need to finish my handmade gifts but I have all the supplies so I'll get started on those in the evenings the first couple weeks of December. I even think I may wrap some of the gifts that I have purchased this week.

Wouldn't it be nice to get them all bought, made and wrapped before Christmas??? I think I'm going to set a goal of December 14th for it all to be done. That would be awesome! Let's see if I can do it? If I get all of the gifts and decorating done, I'll just have to worry about my baking the Sunday before Christmas. Speaking of baking, doesn't these cookies look yummy? Our church had a bake sale this weekend and you should have seen the goodies! There were pies and cakes and breads and cookies and fudge and nut rolls and the list goes on and on and on! I brought home this plate of sweets and a little plate of chocolate and peanut butter fudge.

One of my friend's Mom makes the best peanut butter fudge. It melts in your mouth!

Hey Nancy! Do you think Sis will give up the recipe????

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"Home" Is Where Your Heart Is!

Jen over at "Santuary Arts at Home" posted a "I made it with scrapbook paper party!" on her blog. It got me thinking that although I haven't scrapbooked in FOREVER, when I did, I enjoyed the creativity of it. It was relaxing to me so I think I need to get back to it...soon!

So here is my contribution to Jen's party.

I made these "HOME" letters a few years ago for my Mom's country kitchen. They were relatively easy and when I gave them to her, she loved them and asked where I bought them!

(Remember, you can click on the pictures for a closer look.)

I started with Darice wood letters that I picked up at our local craft store and painted them with acrylic paint. I then roughly cut out scrapbook paper slightly larger than the top part of the letters and glued the paper on with plain old decoupage glue. I did not decoupage over the top of the paper because I wanted the look of paper not a glossy or shiny finish. After the glue was dry, I used a fine grit sandpaper to sand the excess paper off of the letter to give it a weathered look.

I finished them off with a little embellishment on each letter. I just picked what reminded me of home. Gingham always reminds me of the country, the bluebird reminds me of my Mom's bird feeders and love of birds, the daisy reminds me of the wild daisies growing in my Dad's field where he keeps the cows that we used to pick as kids and the brass barn charm was an easy pick because it reminds me of my Dad's barn. I don't know if you can make it out but there is part of a rooster on the "O" which is why I picked this paper. My Mom loves roosters.

I picked the word "home" because it has special meaning in my family. When my Ba Ba (grandmother) would return home to her house, she would walk in the door and sigh "Home" because it was the place she enjoyed most. So in our family, home is really where your heart is.
I challenge you to find your inner creativity and make some letters for your "home."
Think of the words...Love (for Valentine's Day), Family, Friends, your child's name for their room, Joy, Noel, Peace (for Christmas), Boo (for Halloween), Thanks (for Thanksgiving), Dream (for a child's room), Snow (for Winter).
If words are more than you think you can handle, how about your family initial? It's one of the big things in decorating these days to display your family initial.
The possibilities are endless!
If you find your inner creativity, be sure to email me and show me what you've done.
I would love to see it!
In the meantime, head on over to Jen's blog to see what else you can do with scrapbook paper!

Have Fun!

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I've Been Flattered!

Last week I received two blog awards from Jill at her "Controlling My Chaos" blog. You remember her. She's the one where I got the great Halloween treat bag toppers from for Allison's class. See, I knew you would remember her. Anyway, she flattered my ego and presented me with two blog awards. I know! Isn't that cool? And here I thought my family and friends were the only ones interested in what I had to say! Since Jill presented them to me, I think it would be bad blog etiquette to pass them back to her. She is, however, one of my top favorite blogs. She always has a wealth of information and good ideas to share. I love her sense of humor and can totally relate to her sarcasm and wit. Although her brother may not find her funny, she cracks me up! I'm certain if we lived in the same city, we would be great girlfriends.

Thanks Jill! I'm honored!

For this award:
1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

Okay, here is my list of my 5 Fabulous Addictions:

1. Iced, Sugar Free, Fat Free, Hazelnut Lattes from Sheetz...although I did have a hot one yesterday because it's cold and snowing here!

2. Taking pictures.

3. Looking for new decorating ideas for our home. I'm needing a change and new ones are coming in 2009!

4. Organizing, decluttering and simplifying. I'm on a mission to rid us of things that we don't need or use and utilize every inch of this home before I redecorate next year.

5. Blogs and blogging...duh!

Here are the rules:
1. Write seven strange things about yourself. They interest us all!
2. Tag six other people at the end of your post.
3. Visit everyone that you have tagged and leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they have been tagged.

Although I am an open book and you probably already know everything about me, here is my list of Seven Strange Things About Myself.
1. My eyes are blue but one quarter of my right eye is brown and only my left eye needs a corrective lens.
2. If I pull into a parking spot and my van is crooked in the space, I will back-up until it's perfectly straight.
3. If I come home at night and I take my bra off, it's not going back on and I am not going back out for anything! Once it's off, I'm in for the night.
4. I love going to Goodwill and finding treasures to repurpose. The only problem with that is I have too many projects to do and there isn't enough days in the year to do them!
5. I like peanut butter on apples. I don't think this is strange but Curtis thinks it is.
6. Speaking of food, I LOVE bacon and ketchup on white bread sandwiches! My Mom used to make them for us when we went on the school picnic every year. Curtis thinks this is strange too.
7. I love to read cookbooks!

Okay, Now I'm supposed to pass these on to a total of 11 people. Jill said she's a cheater so she passed both awards on to six. I'm not big on cheating but I'll call it being a rebel and pass both on to six too!

Congrats Ladies! You are my 6 in no particular order!

1. Linda at Reminisce...and this and that. Her blog reflects her love of life, family and God...and if you are lucky when you click on her link, you'll get a glimpse of her adorable granddaughter, Emolyn.

2. Nora at ndg A very busy Mom and wife who manages to find time to be creative and make some awesome things...all while going back to school.

3. Deb over at Garage Sale Gal. Okay. Do I need to say more about why I like this blog? If you still need help knowing why....read the title of her blog!

4. Benita at On Eagle's Wings. I've "known" Benita for several years. She's a talented scrapbooker and been doing awesome at shedding some unwanted pounds. Way to go girl!

5. Kim at Life is a Highway. She's another scrapbooking gal I've "known" for several years. She's also a Mom to four and lives in sunny Florida who I just may surprise one day with a knock on her door!

6. Sophia at Sentiments by Sophia. Her blog is one that I check every day. She's a Mom to 6 and a Grandmother to 2 and makes the most of every minute of every day. I don't know how she gets it all done all the time!

Have Fun!

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