When we were building our house having a big patio was something we really wanted to have. We have a gorgeous view and didn’t want to build a deck so a big patio was the way to go. I don’t know if you have ever had a BBQ and had to squeeze all of your guests plus the grill on a small patio. It is not fun at all. I love having all the extra space to spread out and not have to worry about having people crowding me on a small patio. Another great benefit is I can have quite a bit of outdoor furniture. It gives me a spot to put chairs that are in the grass when it is time to mow. I think it is so much fun to sit outside and eat dinner with my family. I like picnics but I enjoy sitting at a nice table too. I love to sit outside in the evenings and talk on the phone or just relax and take in the nature around me. I live in a really nice area and it is extremely peaceful.
I am reminded of when I was growing up. We had this really old picnic table. I must have eaten a million Popsicles at that picnic table. My dad made the picnic table so it was one that moved with us and was at each of our houses. It is funny that a picnic table can mean so much to me. It surely had a lot of memories of my childhood. I know it was repainted quite a few times from being out in the elements. I also have memories of my grandparents sitting with me at that picnic table. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing in the world but it was a nice place to rest your bones as my grandma would say. Now outdoor furniture is extremely comfortable and it still serves the same purpose, to rest your bones.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The Bees and me!
I was on Facebook and I was reading a status update from my friend Brandy of Happily Blended about how she mowed through a swarm of bees and didn’t get stung, and it brought up a memory of mine from when I was in elementary school. I commented and said “That's good you just gave me an idea for a blog post lol”. She responded “Oh no! LOL funny how a short status update on FB can give us bloggers a story idea!” We both got a good laugh about it. I thought I would share two funny bee stories with you. I have quite a few funny bee stories. I must be as sweet as honey because they always bother me.
I was in elementary school, and it was recess. My friend and I decided we would be cool and tough and kill bees. I don’t know why we decided to do it. I was in 3rd or 4th grade. We decided we would step on them. We were trying to be cool, and show off I assume as it was a long time ago. Well we spent almost all of recess trying to kill bees. I wasn’t very successful, we would try and step on one and run away so we wouldn’t get stung. I finally killed one. Me being the brilliant 3rd or 4th grader I was, picked up the dead bee and put it in the palm of my hand to show my friends and the other kids in my grade. Then it happened, I realized I had been stung. I looked around for the bee so I could step on that one too and then I figured out, I stung myself with the dead bee. I had to go to the nurse’s office and it hurt so bad. In the defense of the bees, this first story was my fault. All the other times I was minding my own beeswax.
It was my birthday and I decided I wanted to go to an Amish Fair for my birthday with my friend. I was a weird child. I even took folk dancing as an extra activity in school. I was very interested in other cultures and you know how I like fairs. I also love cotton candy. I was standing there eating pink cotton candy and I was wearing a skirt and I ended up getting stung by a bee on my thigh. It hurt so bad.
After that bees and wasps visiting me on my birthday became a reoccurring thing. Maybe it was a curse for stomping on a bee in elementary school. I really don’t like bees especially after seeing My Girl. It was so sad and terrifying when the bees killed Thomas J. I will be sharing a couple more bee stories in an upcoming post.
I was in elementary school, and it was recess. My friend and I decided we would be cool and tough and kill bees. I don’t know why we decided to do it. I was in 3rd or 4th grade. We decided we would step on them. We were trying to be cool, and show off I assume as it was a long time ago. Well we spent almost all of recess trying to kill bees. I wasn’t very successful, we would try and step on one and run away so we wouldn’t get stung. I finally killed one. Me being the brilliant 3rd or 4th grader I was, picked up the dead bee and put it in the palm of my hand to show my friends and the other kids in my grade. Then it happened, I realized I had been stung. I looked around for the bee so I could step on that one too and then I figured out, I stung myself with the dead bee. I had to go to the nurse’s office and it hurt so bad. In the defense of the bees, this first story was my fault. All the other times I was minding my own beeswax.
It was my birthday and I decided I wanted to go to an Amish Fair for my birthday with my friend. I was a weird child. I even took folk dancing as an extra activity in school. I was very interested in other cultures and you know how I like fairs. I also love cotton candy. I was standing there eating pink cotton candy and I was wearing a skirt and I ended up getting stung by a bee on my thigh. It hurt so bad.
After that bees and wasps visiting me on my birthday became a reoccurring thing. Maybe it was a curse for stomping on a bee in elementary school. I really don’t like bees especially after seeing My Girl. It was so sad and terrifying when the bees killed Thomas J. I will be sharing a couple more bee stories in an upcoming post.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Karma? Is that French?
Tonight while I was making dinner I was listening to The 700 Club and Pat Robertson was talking about Karma. I didn’t really hear everything he was saying because I was doing all kinds of things at the same time and I didn’t turn the TV up. I started thinking about karma. I personally don’t believe in karma as a Christian. I don’t believe that what I do now has anything to do with what I come back as because I don’t believe in reincarnation. People are always asking what you would want to be if you were reincarnated. Some people are like a tiger or a bear etc. Even if I had the possibility to be reincarnated I wouldn’t want to be. I would rather go to heaven than live on this earth all over again after I died. You could not pay me enough to give up my chance to go to Heaven someday when it is my time.
I am aware there is a difference between karma in a religious definition and what pop culture considers “karma”. I am not sure how old I was before I knew about “karma”. I can’t remember. I did know Karma was my local music store that always smelled like incense. In fact I have a Grateful Dead afghan that I had to have from there and it still smelled like incense for many years after I received it. People always say oh “karma” is going to get you or it’s “karma”. I don’t really believe in pop culture “karma” either. I think people believe in “karma” because it gives them some kind of comfort that the person is going to be punished for their wrong doings. It helps people cope and the person’s longing for everything to be made right and whole again. Things happen for a reason but I don’t see it as a way to seek revenge on someone.
I am a strong believer in the whole cliché saying “Everything happens for a reason” We might not know the reason, and we might never know, but there is an absolute reason for everything. I also believe that there are set consequences for choices we make. I don’t really believe it is the universe’s way to get back at someone. It just is what it is.
I am aware there is a difference between karma in a religious definition and what pop culture considers “karma”. I am not sure how old I was before I knew about “karma”. I can’t remember. I did know Karma was my local music store that always smelled like incense. In fact I have a Grateful Dead afghan that I had to have from there and it still smelled like incense for many years after I received it. People always say oh “karma” is going to get you or it’s “karma”. I don’t really believe in pop culture “karma” either. I think people believe in “karma” because it gives them some kind of comfort that the person is going to be punished for their wrong doings. It helps people cope and the person’s longing for everything to be made right and whole again. Things happen for a reason but I don’t see it as a way to seek revenge on someone.
I am a strong believer in the whole cliché saying “Everything happens for a reason” We might not know the reason, and we might never know, but there is an absolute reason for everything. I also believe that there are set consequences for choices we make. I don’t really believe it is the universe’s way to get back at someone. It just is what it is.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
What I have learned from Dollar Stores
I love shopping at dollar stores. Everything is a dollar or under. No need to check price tags or ask how much something is. It’s really easy to go crazy in them though. I have been known to come out with 13 rolls of double sided tape or other random items that they sell. They always seem to have that hard to find candy like Now and Laters or Ring Pops. Throughout my many years of dollar store shopping I have learned some things I thought I would share with you all.
1. Just because it is a dollar doesn’t mean you have to buy it just to buy it. I have stopped doing that now. I used to find things I thought I would want and then never ended up using like picture frames.
2. Everything looks so much cooler in the dollar store. I think it is the lighting but once you purchase something and get it home or out in the sun it loses it’s wow appeal and you realize that wasn’t as cool as you thought.
3. You can find some really cute stuff sometimes at the dollar store. When Noah was born or heck I might have been pregnant with him I went to the dollar store and bought a package of plastic squeaky whales. They are some of Noah’s favorite toys. I have many pictures of him when he was a baby chewing on them. I wish I would of bought more.
4. The merchandise is always changing and varies from location to location. If you go and look for something and find it, it might be a good idea to get it while it’s there.
5. Just because it claims to be a dollar store, that might not be the case at all. There are stores out there that say they are dollar stores like Deals but not everything is a dollar. I classify stores like Deals, Dollar General and Family Dollar as discount stores. So, be careful when you go in to a store that claims to be a dollar store. It’s better to get clarification and know what you are getting in to. I didn’t do that the first time I went in to Deals and I looked like an idiot. So, I am saving you my disgrace.
6. This is the most important one of all. All dollar stores smell the same. They have their own Dollar Store odor. It is as if it is pumped in through the vents like an air freshener. It stinks. It doesn’t matter how old the store is, it can be the store’s grand opening and it still smells that way. It doesn’t matter if they are a Dollar Tree, a Dollar palace or a Mom and Pop locally owned Dollar store. It doesn’t matter where it is, even in other states dollar stores stink. Even the ones in malls. I have no idea why that is. It’s weird. I could be blindfolded and have on ear muffs and I would still know if I were in a dollar store.
I hope my post about what I have learned from Dollar stores will help you on the next trip you take to one. I think I will start wearing nose plugs because the smell gives me a headache. I remember my old best friend and I would go to the dollar store all the time and before we went in we would take a big breath of fresh air. If you have any other dollar store tips I would love to hear them so leave me a comment!
1. Just because it is a dollar doesn’t mean you have to buy it just to buy it. I have stopped doing that now. I used to find things I thought I would want and then never ended up using like picture frames.
2. Everything looks so much cooler in the dollar store. I think it is the lighting but once you purchase something and get it home or out in the sun it loses it’s wow appeal and you realize that wasn’t as cool as you thought.
3. You can find some really cute stuff sometimes at the dollar store. When Noah was born or heck I might have been pregnant with him I went to the dollar store and bought a package of plastic squeaky whales. They are some of Noah’s favorite toys. I have many pictures of him when he was a baby chewing on them. I wish I would of bought more.
4. The merchandise is always changing and varies from location to location. If you go and look for something and find it, it might be a good idea to get it while it’s there.
5. Just because it claims to be a dollar store, that might not be the case at all. There are stores out there that say they are dollar stores like Deals but not everything is a dollar. I classify stores like Deals, Dollar General and Family Dollar as discount stores. So, be careful when you go in to a store that claims to be a dollar store. It’s better to get clarification and know what you are getting in to. I didn’t do that the first time I went in to Deals and I looked like an idiot. So, I am saving you my disgrace.
6. This is the most important one of all. All dollar stores smell the same. They have their own Dollar Store odor. It is as if it is pumped in through the vents like an air freshener. It stinks. It doesn’t matter how old the store is, it can be the store’s grand opening and it still smells that way. It doesn’t matter if they are a Dollar Tree, a Dollar palace or a Mom and Pop locally owned Dollar store. It doesn’t matter where it is, even in other states dollar stores stink. Even the ones in malls. I have no idea why that is. It’s weird. I could be blindfolded and have on ear muffs and I would still know if I were in a dollar store.
I hope my post about what I have learned from Dollar stores will help you on the next trip you take to one. I think I will start wearing nose plugs because the smell gives me a headache. I remember my old best friend and I would go to the dollar store all the time and before we went in we would take a big breath of fresh air. If you have any other dollar store tips I would love to hear them so leave me a comment!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Norman R. Davis is AWESOME
I love watching Food Network Challenges on the Food Network. I even have a favorite competitor. I think he is adorable and extremely talented. I love to cook but I am not a cake decorator by any means. I blame it on being left handed. My favorite cake guy is Norman R. Davis he owns The Sweet Life. He is awesome. I hope he always wins. I just saw a commercial for another cake show on TLC and I saw Norman and heard his voice. I am so excited; I am going to start watching it. I didn’t catch the name of the show though. I am sure I can figure it out because the internet is wonderful.
My favorite judge is Kerry Vincent, she is a British woman who says what she thinks and isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. I guess she is comparable to Judge Judy. Yes Kerry Vincent is the Judge Judy of the food judges. I know on the episode where they were making Kerry’s birthday cake Norman decided to let his partner take the lead and he did wonderful. I think he won.
My old best friend and I used to go to the grocery store on the weekends when we were in high school and buy a cake from the bakery. We would have them write something on it most of the time. Usually nothing that made sense to anyone but us. We were dorks and we actually had made up our own language. It was a normal Friday or Saturday and we decided we wanted cake, fudgecicles and candy so we went to the store and walked over to the bakery. There was a guy working in the bakery. I still think that he was filling in for someone at the bakery because when we asked for our normal personalized cake, he told us to come do it ourselves. That was an ugly ugly cake when we got done with it. It was a lot of fun though. We never saw that guy again so maybe he wasn’t an employee after all and just a customer pretending to work there. It was late for all we know the bakery could have been closed.
I think the cake challenges are so cool. I just don’t think I could ever have the steady hand to do it myself. I love to cook and bake and I make delicious food but decorating it, it looks like a four year old created it. Of course no one says, Hey Sheila that cake is hideous, I hope it tastes a lot better than it looks.
I would love to meet Norman R Davis, he seems like an awesome guy and I would love for him to make me a cake.
Do you enjoy watching cake competitions? Do you have a favorite decorator? Who is it?
My favorite judge is Kerry Vincent, she is a British woman who says what she thinks and isn’t afraid to tell you like it is. I guess she is comparable to Judge Judy. Yes Kerry Vincent is the Judge Judy of the food judges. I know on the episode where they were making Kerry’s birthday cake Norman decided to let his partner take the lead and he did wonderful. I think he won.
My old best friend and I used to go to the grocery store on the weekends when we were in high school and buy a cake from the bakery. We would have them write something on it most of the time. Usually nothing that made sense to anyone but us. We were dorks and we actually had made up our own language. It was a normal Friday or Saturday and we decided we wanted cake, fudgecicles and candy so we went to the store and walked over to the bakery. There was a guy working in the bakery. I still think that he was filling in for someone at the bakery because when we asked for our normal personalized cake, he told us to come do it ourselves. That was an ugly ugly cake when we got done with it. It was a lot of fun though. We never saw that guy again so maybe he wasn’t an employee after all and just a customer pretending to work there. It was late for all we know the bakery could have been closed.
I think the cake challenges are so cool. I just don’t think I could ever have the steady hand to do it myself. I love to cook and bake and I make delicious food but decorating it, it looks like a four year old created it. Of course no one says, Hey Sheila that cake is hideous, I hope it tastes a lot better than it looks.
I would love to meet Norman R Davis, he seems like an awesome guy and I would love for him to make me a cake.
Do you enjoy watching cake competitions? Do you have a favorite decorator? Who is it?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I took a risk on buying Risk
As some of you know my favorite board game is Risk which is made by Hasbro. I started playing it with my ex. I needed to buy a new one so I waited until yesterday. Risk is expensive. It was 26 dollars, that is more than I would spend on a board game but I had wanted it for so long, I decided to get it. I wanted to teach my mom how to play since she’d never played before. I am undefeated in the game and so I was really excited as I said before it is my favorite game. I thought about it all last night. I couldn’t sleep because it had been so long since I had played.
I opened the game and my heart sank. It wasn’t the same game I remembered. Instead of horses and cannons it was arrows. Instead of Risk cards that are cavalry, infantry and whatever the other one was they were all territory cards with stars. There were now cities too. I was so disappointed because it wasn’t what I thought it was. I decided to put it away and then play another game with my mom.
If you want to buy Risk and are used to I guess the old version don’t buy the one that is in stores or you will be sorely disappointed like I am. Now I guess I am on a mission to find the old version of Risk with all the pieces. This might not be as easy as I think and probably will be equally or more expensive.
I opened the game and my heart sank. It wasn’t the same game I remembered. Instead of horses and cannons it was arrows. Instead of Risk cards that are cavalry, infantry and whatever the other one was they were all territory cards with stars. There were now cities too. I was so disappointed because it wasn’t what I thought it was. I decided to put it away and then play another game with my mom.
If you want to buy Risk and are used to I guess the old version don’t buy the one that is in stores or you will be sorely disappointed like I am. Now I guess I am on a mission to find the old version of Risk with all the pieces. This might not be as easy as I think and probably will be equally or more expensive.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Anonymous comments welcome, blog trolls are not.
I am going to let you all in on something. You probably should already know this as it is common sense in my opinion but, the internet is not as anonymous as you think it is. When you go to a website someone somewhere can figure out who you are. Well, OK not exactly who you are but if it is someone the person knows of they can. It really is not hard to figure it out, especially if you have left a comment or visited before. They also can tell where you came from and where you visit and how long you stay on the site. How often you visit and what you do.
Leaving anonymous comments is perfectly fine but at the same time know that you are potentially only anonymous to others that visit. I am not saying I know who every person is but it is not too hard to figure out who a blog troll is. Part of the reason I get some of the opportunities I do have to do with my stats. I have to keep track of them somehow. Makes sense right?
I got my first nasty comment on my blog Thursday night. It was on my compassion post. I had never received anything negative on my blog. Besides the occasional spam comment which everyone gets. I don’t really get bothered by spam. It is just a couple clicks and your comment about flowers in India or your foreign symbols are gone. I don’t know the difference between Chinese and Japanese symbols so I can’t say for sure what it is. Everyone up to Thursday night has been really supportive and nice on my blog. It really was rude. Of course curiosity got the best of me and I had an idea of who this blog troll was.
So I looked at my comments and the website I use and figured it out within moments. I have great investigative skills comparable to Monk or Sherlock Holmes. My hunch was right and I decided not to allow the comment to go through because it is my blog and my space and I choose not to litter it up with negativity. It wasn’t that the person had a different opinion than I do. It was the simple fact that the comment was an intentional attack. It was someone who had never been to my blog, at least I don’t think they had. It was a personal attack and while I understand and embrace that people think differently, I won’t let people maliciously attack me or my readers or friends. I am not saying you have to agree with everything I say; just if you decide to leave a comment do so respectfully. I want my readers to feel safe on my blog and know that I don’t tolerate trolls and mean spirited comments.
So, thank you to all my readers that are supportive and kind.
Leaving anonymous comments is perfectly fine but at the same time know that you are potentially only anonymous to others that visit. I am not saying I know who every person is but it is not too hard to figure out who a blog troll is. Part of the reason I get some of the opportunities I do have to do with my stats. I have to keep track of them somehow. Makes sense right?
I got my first nasty comment on my blog Thursday night. It was on my compassion post. I had never received anything negative on my blog. Besides the occasional spam comment which everyone gets. I don’t really get bothered by spam. It is just a couple clicks and your comment about flowers in India or your foreign symbols are gone. I don’t know the difference between Chinese and Japanese symbols so I can’t say for sure what it is. Everyone up to Thursday night has been really supportive and nice on my blog. It really was rude. Of course curiosity got the best of me and I had an idea of who this blog troll was.
So I looked at my comments and the website I use and figured it out within moments. I have great investigative skills comparable to Monk or Sherlock Holmes. My hunch was right and I decided not to allow the comment to go through because it is my blog and my space and I choose not to litter it up with negativity. It wasn’t that the person had a different opinion than I do. It was the simple fact that the comment was an intentional attack. It was someone who had never been to my blog, at least I don’t think they had. It was a personal attack and while I understand and embrace that people think differently, I won’t let people maliciously attack me or my readers or friends. I am not saying you have to agree with everything I say; just if you decide to leave a comment do so respectfully. I want my readers to feel safe on my blog and know that I don’t tolerate trolls and mean spirited comments.
So, thank you to all my readers that are supportive and kind.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Have a little compassion
Where has all the compassion gone? Seriously, I don’t know why people think it is funny or nice to make fun of people because they dress different than you or are a different race or look different. It is not cool to say go to a store and take a picture of a stranger and then exploit them on a website where they purposely make fun of people and the way they look. Not everyone dresses the same. That is part of being different and unique. Just because someone is not dressed like a cookie cutter image of what is in a fashion magazine does not by any means give someone the right to hurt their feelings or make fun of them. Most people do not walk around trying to get on a stupid website. I am sure there are many people that don’t know what it is. I also think that they don’t do it for attention either. Maybe they never will know that they are being laughed at behind a computer screen but maybe someone they love will see it or it really doesn’t matter because it is wrong in my opinion. I doubt someone would want to be made fun of on a website that is mean spirited disguised as humor.
I also don’t think it is funny when people make jokes about disabled people to be funny. They say things like special Ed this and helmet that. People with disabilities are people first and the disability is just a challenge and a part of them. Do I think that everyone that uses the R word and tells jokes about disabilities is purposely making fun of those that have those challenges? No, not always, I know it is “acceptable” in our society but that makes it wrong none the less. Think before you speak, and have some compassion and understanding. Embrace other peoples differences don’t draw a line between you.
There is room for everyone in this world. The world is such a big place. I think that there should be room for everyone to be whom they are and feel comfortable enough to where they can and not be exploited and made fun of for doing so. Everyone is different and that is great! I wish people looked more on the inside than on the outside. In a perfect world they would, but sadly it is not and people will continue to be cruel and uncaring. I invite you to help make a difference by bringing back a little compassion. Maybe it will spread like wild fire and encourage others to be compassionate.
I grew up being taught about compassion and being caring. I was taught it is wrong to make fun of people because they are different. I was taught that words that put down groups of people are wrong. I am teaching my son the same things. I was taught to love and accept people for who they are, not what they look like. It really is heartbreaking to me. I am going to make sure my son has the same morals I have. I think that I have really strong morals and a big heart and I can tell even at age 3 Noah also has a big heart. I hope to teach him and show him that differences are not a bad thing.
I hope you take a little time to think about others feelings and sit down and talk to your children about compassion and embracing differences. I think that would help the world be a better place.
I also don’t think it is funny when people make jokes about disabled people to be funny. They say things like special Ed this and helmet that. People with disabilities are people first and the disability is just a challenge and a part of them. Do I think that everyone that uses the R word and tells jokes about disabilities is purposely making fun of those that have those challenges? No, not always, I know it is “acceptable” in our society but that makes it wrong none the less. Think before you speak, and have some compassion and understanding. Embrace other peoples differences don’t draw a line between you.
There is room for everyone in this world. The world is such a big place. I think that there should be room for everyone to be whom they are and feel comfortable enough to where they can and not be exploited and made fun of for doing so. Everyone is different and that is great! I wish people looked more on the inside than on the outside. In a perfect world they would, but sadly it is not and people will continue to be cruel and uncaring. I invite you to help make a difference by bringing back a little compassion. Maybe it will spread like wild fire and encourage others to be compassionate.
I grew up being taught about compassion and being caring. I was taught it is wrong to make fun of people because they are different. I was taught that words that put down groups of people are wrong. I am teaching my son the same things. I was taught to love and accept people for who they are, not what they look like. It really is heartbreaking to me. I am going to make sure my son has the same morals I have. I think that I have really strong morals and a big heart and I can tell even at age 3 Noah also has a big heart. I hope to teach him and show him that differences are not a bad thing.
I hope you take a little time to think about others feelings and sit down and talk to your children about compassion and embracing differences. I think that would help the world be a better place.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Hosptial Gowns are not a fashion statement I wanna make.
On August 1, 2005 it was just like any other morning. My old best friend and I were driving down the road and we were taking her daughter to Grandma’s house so her son could go to the dentist. We turned in her parents’ neighborhood as we had done a million times before. We were turning in and all the sudden I started screaming. We had been hit. We were T-boned on my door. We spun around five times or so and then came really close to crashing in to a brick sign. Thankfully we stopped. The whole time we are spinning I was screaming. I was so scared. I thought I was going to die.
The man who was in the other car who was going really fast we think purposely hit the car, the brand new Acura TSX that she had bought a little over a month. I was stuck in the car. The kids were fine and so was my friend. They all got out really easily. I had to be pulled out of the car on a board wearing a neck brace by 4 firemen. I was conscious. Every person I talked to which was many I would say make sure they know I am allergic to latex. I rode in the ambulance and I didn’t know if my leg was broken or what was going on. I had some cuts where the window shattered and stuff. The car was completely totaled. RIP beautiful Acura.
In the ambulance they cut off my favorite pair of Silver Jeans. I loved those jeans so much. They had to take scissors and cut them down the sides all the way down. I got to the hospital and nothing was broken, surprisingly. I took all the impact on my door. I didn’t know where my friend and her kids were. They were going to take her to another hospital but I found her shortly after they said I could go home. My mom had her cell on during the day that day because my grandma was in the hospital so, I know it scared her when she got a call from the Fire Department from my number. I had no shoes because I took them off in the car. I had no pants because they were cut off.
I went home in a hospital gown and a t-shirt, barefoot. We had to stop to get my prescriptions for pain meds filled. I am glad that for some reason I was sitting differently that I used to. I wasn’t sitting Indian style, which is a good thing or I would of shattered my knee cap. I couldn’t really walk the first day. I had big bruises and I spent a lot of time lying in bed sleeping.
I still have really bad car anxiety too. It has gotten a lot better over the years though.
The man who was in the other car who was going really fast we think purposely hit the car, the brand new Acura TSX that she had bought a little over a month. I was stuck in the car. The kids were fine and so was my friend. They all got out really easily. I had to be pulled out of the car on a board wearing a neck brace by 4 firemen. I was conscious. Every person I talked to which was many I would say make sure they know I am allergic to latex. I rode in the ambulance and I didn’t know if my leg was broken or what was going on. I had some cuts where the window shattered and stuff. The car was completely totaled. RIP beautiful Acura.
In the ambulance they cut off my favorite pair of Silver Jeans. I loved those jeans so much. They had to take scissors and cut them down the sides all the way down. I got to the hospital and nothing was broken, surprisingly. I took all the impact on my door. I didn’t know where my friend and her kids were. They were going to take her to another hospital but I found her shortly after they said I could go home. My mom had her cell on during the day that day because my grandma was in the hospital so, I know it scared her when she got a call from the Fire Department from my number. I had no shoes because I took them off in the car. I had no pants because they were cut off.
I went home in a hospital gown and a t-shirt, barefoot. We had to stop to get my prescriptions for pain meds filled. I am glad that for some reason I was sitting differently that I used to. I wasn’t sitting Indian style, which is a good thing or I would of shattered my knee cap. I couldn’t really walk the first day. I had big bruises and I spent a lot of time lying in bed sleeping.
I still have really bad car anxiety too. It has gotten a lot better over the years though.
Monday, January 4, 2010
When blogging relationships go bad..
After recent events, that have to do with my blog, I am starting to wonder if all of my efforts are worth it. I really enjoy blogging and reviewing products and doing giveaways but, I am starting to question these things. I have many wonderful relationships with many pr agents and businesses which I am grateful to have. There is one “business” relationship that I had for three months; I really worked hard on everything I did for them. I put business in parentheses because it seemed like it was much more personal as this person emailed me almost daily. I went above and beyond what a normal product reviewer would do, I spent hours upon hours doing things that weren’t really in the scope of my job. It was almost like I had become an employee of this company. I was promised multiple times that they would fully sponsor me to go to BlogHer 10.
I spent my time writing posts for them that were not product reviews. I posted and posted for them. One I had to go back and edit because they stopped their relationship with a foundation. That meant I had to rewrite part of it, so it would make sense. I tweeted about the business multiple times. I also researched for them. I gave them free advertising for three months. I wanted to make sure they got their money’s worth. BlogHer is not cheap by any means.
I prepared a Twitter party and then held the Twitter party on a very devastating day, the last thing I wanted to do was have fun at a Twitter party. I wanted to be there for the community that I belong to. I wanted to mourn a loss of a fellow blogger. Yet, I sucked it up, I superglued a fake smile on my face, and did my job. Little did the guests of the party know that I was crying between my tweets. I was so upset, it turned to frustration because I had not had the help that I thought that I was going to have. I had to deal with other things between the others that were helping me. I had to deal with the sponsor making rude comments at the guests. I thought that overall it was a success. Anyone who has ever hosted a Twitter party knows how difficult they are to run and how stressful they are.
After all the hard work I put in to the company, and after all the nice things I did, I am left with nothing in return. They informed me out of the blue after emailing me as if nothing was wrong and after they sent me a Christmas present and then bailed on me. There were many questionable actions shown by the owner of the company. Many that made my stomach turn. I should have known but I trusted them. Some of the wrong doings were but not limited to insulting other bloggers, forwarding their pitches to me and making fun of them, lying to others, and just plain rudeness.
I was so excited to be able to go to Blogher 10. I talked about it all the time. I was like a kid at Christmas. I know it’s probably not all I think it is, but I want the experience of going. I want to go and learn and meet up with my friends that I have made in the last six months. I want to be able to have some time where I am around adults for an extended period of time without other people’s kids. Everyone deserves a break.
I want to represent a company or companies and use my voice to promote them. For me it is more than just a trip to New York. It is a way to break out of my shell and bloom in to the blogger I want to be through the training and the possible networking I will gain from this experience. It is not a trip it is an adventure and an experience. Now, I am not sure I can even have that experience because of the hurtful things this company did to me.
I am sure one or two of you are thinking, it’s just business. Well, it is not. It is extremely personal and extremely hurtful. It would have been completely different if it was just someone I did a few product reviews for and they just changed their mind. It was something I invested my time and heart completely and fully in this company and I thought that I was doing a great job. I was completely floored that someone would have the nerve to just do this to me after she knew I worked so hard and did so much. It is just so wrong to this to me or anyone. I have spent a lot of time crying. I have gone back and forth between crying and being angry. I feel like I failed and there was nothing else I could do. I felt helpless, I immediately reached out to my friends and I want to thank them all for their continued support. They mean so much to me.
Please don’t walk over bloggers. They deserve the respect and kindness just as much as anyone else. We work very hard for our blogs and for the PR and companies. Only a blogger would truly understand the time and effort we put in to our work. I am sure that most of the companies appreciate all the work bloggers do. It is like when you work really hard on a bunch of projects and once they are completed they call you in their office and fire you.
I am pretty sure I want to keep blogging. I am trying not to let one bad apple ruin it for me. My only regret from blogging is working with that company. I am still extremely upset about this whole ordeal. I feel like I wasted three months for nothing more than empty promises and many lies. I hope that this post brings caution and awareness to others especially bloggers. I hate having the mentality of not being able to trust the people I work with, and now questioning everything and wondering if the same thing will happen again.
So, here I am again back to square one, for looking for sponsorship to BlogHer 10. If you are interested in possibly sponsoring me, please use my contact form or email me. I will work very hard to promote your company. I will post an informational post in the future. I just wanted to get this all off my chest and perhaps help me work through the complete disappointment and hurt that I am feeling right now. I hope that this post helps someone too.
I spent my time writing posts for them that were not product reviews. I posted and posted for them. One I had to go back and edit because they stopped their relationship with a foundation. That meant I had to rewrite part of it, so it would make sense. I tweeted about the business multiple times. I also researched for them. I gave them free advertising for three months. I wanted to make sure they got their money’s worth. BlogHer is not cheap by any means.
I prepared a Twitter party and then held the Twitter party on a very devastating day, the last thing I wanted to do was have fun at a Twitter party. I wanted to be there for the community that I belong to. I wanted to mourn a loss of a fellow blogger. Yet, I sucked it up, I superglued a fake smile on my face, and did my job. Little did the guests of the party know that I was crying between my tweets. I was so upset, it turned to frustration because I had not had the help that I thought that I was going to have. I had to deal with other things between the others that were helping me. I had to deal with the sponsor making rude comments at the guests. I thought that overall it was a success. Anyone who has ever hosted a Twitter party knows how difficult they are to run and how stressful they are.
After all the hard work I put in to the company, and after all the nice things I did, I am left with nothing in return. They informed me out of the blue after emailing me as if nothing was wrong and after they sent me a Christmas present and then bailed on me. There were many questionable actions shown by the owner of the company. Many that made my stomach turn. I should have known but I trusted them. Some of the wrong doings were but not limited to insulting other bloggers, forwarding their pitches to me and making fun of them, lying to others, and just plain rudeness.
I was so excited to be able to go to Blogher 10. I talked about it all the time. I was like a kid at Christmas. I know it’s probably not all I think it is, but I want the experience of going. I want to go and learn and meet up with my friends that I have made in the last six months. I want to be able to have some time where I am around adults for an extended period of time without other people’s kids. Everyone deserves a break.
I want to represent a company or companies and use my voice to promote them. For me it is more than just a trip to New York. It is a way to break out of my shell and bloom in to the blogger I want to be through the training and the possible networking I will gain from this experience. It is not a trip it is an adventure and an experience. Now, I am not sure I can even have that experience because of the hurtful things this company did to me.
I am sure one or two of you are thinking, it’s just business. Well, it is not. It is extremely personal and extremely hurtful. It would have been completely different if it was just someone I did a few product reviews for and they just changed their mind. It was something I invested my time and heart completely and fully in this company and I thought that I was doing a great job. I was completely floored that someone would have the nerve to just do this to me after she knew I worked so hard and did so much. It is just so wrong to this to me or anyone. I have spent a lot of time crying. I have gone back and forth between crying and being angry. I feel like I failed and there was nothing else I could do. I felt helpless, I immediately reached out to my friends and I want to thank them all for their continued support. They mean so much to me.
Please don’t walk over bloggers. They deserve the respect and kindness just as much as anyone else. We work very hard for our blogs and for the PR and companies. Only a blogger would truly understand the time and effort we put in to our work. I am sure that most of the companies appreciate all the work bloggers do. It is like when you work really hard on a bunch of projects and once they are completed they call you in their office and fire you.
I am pretty sure I want to keep blogging. I am trying not to let one bad apple ruin it for me. My only regret from blogging is working with that company. I am still extremely upset about this whole ordeal. I feel like I wasted three months for nothing more than empty promises and many lies. I hope that this post brings caution and awareness to others especially bloggers. I hate having the mentality of not being able to trust the people I work with, and now questioning everything and wondering if the same thing will happen again.
So, here I am again back to square one, for looking for sponsorship to BlogHer 10. If you are interested in possibly sponsoring me, please use my contact form or email me. I will work very hard to promote your company. I will post an informational post in the future. I just wanted to get this all off my chest and perhaps help me work through the complete disappointment and hurt that I am feeling right now. I hope that this post helps someone too.
Friday, January 1, 2010
I am a ZOMBIE MOMMY!
I have a confession to make! I am what you would call a ZOMBIE MOMMY. I hardly ever wear makeup. I am also considered frumpy. You know in the movie The Stepford Wives when Mike is showing the Stepford video, I am the before wife. So, I have made it my goal since it is New Years Day to dezombify myself. I don’t own much makeup and the makeup I do own is like seriously 8 or 9 years old.
I don’t even really know how to “put on makeup” lol. I don’t want to wear gobs and gobs I just don’t want to look like I am about to go feast on some brains. I don’t even know if my 8 or 9 year old makeup is still in working condition or not. It’s probably toxic and should be covered in Mr. Yuk Stickers! I terribly need a makeover! I am interested in organic skincare. I think that might be better for my skin if their was not all those extra toxins. I have become more aware of organic things since I had Noah and started blogging.
Next I will discuss my hair or should I say my zombie locks! It’s like frizzy, yet straight. It tangles really easily and really badly. I cut it myself a couple weeks ago cause I got sick of pulling my hair when I would try and get the tangles out. I have broken bristles off my hair brush because my hair is such a mess. It still tangles but at least now it isn’t long tangles!
I love to be comfortable because I spend a lot of time at home. I love to wear pajama pants. I have two pairs of jeans that are both ripped and are so big they fall off of me when I walk. It would be great if I was a gangsta girl, but I am a mommy. I have some cute shirts and cute pajamas but my pants that I wear out are like fleece pants. It’s really sad. I have not wore shorts in like 4 years. It could be 103 degrees and I will be wearing jeans. I have some funky funky clothes! I don’t like wearing them cause I look so frumpy and dumpy. Maybe even like Humpty Dumpty!
I have never been to a spa. I have never stepped foot in one. The most professional massage I have ever had was at the county fair where the chiropractors give you free ones. Then call and harass you for months to come in. Even though you were told a while back by a chiropractor that you have a beautiful spine. I trust him. He works with the Colts I think he knows what he is doing! I have gotten a water massage at the mall a few times. Those are really cool. Especially when they have you watch a TV and listen to the music. It has been a while though.
I have never had a professional pedicure. I had a manicure a few times. That was cool but that was definitely my pre-mommy days. I can only dream of what a spa has to offer. It’s like the episode of Fraiser where they go to that new spa and each door leads to a better room until they end up outside by the dumpsters. Someday, maybe I will go to a spa. I know lots of people go on spa days. I bet it is wonderful!
So, my goal for 2010 is to dezombify myself. If anyone wants to help me on this mission please contact me.
I don’t even really know how to “put on makeup” lol. I don’t want to wear gobs and gobs I just don’t want to look like I am about to go feast on some brains. I don’t even know if my 8 or 9 year old makeup is still in working condition or not. It’s probably toxic and should be covered in Mr. Yuk Stickers! I terribly need a makeover! I am interested in organic skincare. I think that might be better for my skin if their was not all those extra toxins. I have become more aware of organic things since I had Noah and started blogging.
Next I will discuss my hair or should I say my zombie locks! It’s like frizzy, yet straight. It tangles really easily and really badly. I cut it myself a couple weeks ago cause I got sick of pulling my hair when I would try and get the tangles out. I have broken bristles off my hair brush because my hair is such a mess. It still tangles but at least now it isn’t long tangles!
I love to be comfortable because I spend a lot of time at home. I love to wear pajama pants. I have two pairs of jeans that are both ripped and are so big they fall off of me when I walk. It would be great if I was a gangsta girl, but I am a mommy. I have some cute shirts and cute pajamas but my pants that I wear out are like fleece pants. It’s really sad. I have not wore shorts in like 4 years. It could be 103 degrees and I will be wearing jeans. I have some funky funky clothes! I don’t like wearing them cause I look so frumpy and dumpy. Maybe even like Humpty Dumpty!
I have never been to a spa. I have never stepped foot in one. The most professional massage I have ever had was at the county fair where the chiropractors give you free ones. Then call and harass you for months to come in. Even though you were told a while back by a chiropractor that you have a beautiful spine. I trust him. He works with the Colts I think he knows what he is doing! I have gotten a water massage at the mall a few times. Those are really cool. Especially when they have you watch a TV and listen to the music. It has been a while though.
I have never had a professional pedicure. I had a manicure a few times. That was cool but that was definitely my pre-mommy days. I can only dream of what a spa has to offer. It’s like the episode of Fraiser where they go to that new spa and each door leads to a better room until they end up outside by the dumpsters. Someday, maybe I will go to a spa. I know lots of people go on spa days. I bet it is wonderful!
So, my goal for 2010 is to dezombify myself. If anyone wants to help me on this mission please contact me.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My exclusive interview with Doug Savant
This morning I had the opportunity to have an exclusive phone interview with Doug Savant. Doug plays Tom Scavo on Desperate Housewives. I happen to love Desperate Housewives I watch it every day on Lifetime and also on ABC on Sundays. I have seen the first 4 seasons multiple times because Lifetime keeps playing them. Doug was also a guest star on NCIS as priest. Desperate Housewives is one of those shows that just pull you right in and captivates you. Each season has a mystery story line and so far the mysteries have been getting better and better.
I was really nervous at the beginning but Doug put me right to ease. He is so down to earth and friendly. He made me feel like we were old friends catching up on what is new with our lives. It was weird when he was first on the line cause I knew it was him from watching the show so much and not Dr. Oz.
Doug is very nice and I really enjoyed talking to him. He told me about a new book that he is involved in. The makers of Listerine co-developed a really cute book of illustrations with humorous captions. The book is called 36 and ½ Reasons To Laugh A Slice of Life. It is written by Rick Adams and illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. This book helps you remember to laugh at those funny moments in your life. After all they say Laughter is the best medicine.
For every book produced, Listerine made a generous donation to The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation’s program called America’s Toothfairy to help low income families get dental care for their children. There a millions of children that have toothaches and that prevent them from eating properly. Some families just can’t afford dental care and it tends to be something that gets forgotten.
The book is excellent. Every page has made me laugh. It would be a great coffee table book for your guests to pick up and look at. It would definitely be a conversation starter. I hope you all will check it out and help those children have a healthy Smile. For more information please visit Listerine's website
Of course we talked about Desperate Housewives as well. I got some inside information. He didn’t tell me who Mike is marrying but he did say I would find out within the first few minutes of the first show of the new season. The new season of Desperate Housewives starts Sunday September 27th at 9 pm ET. I also asked him about Dave and if he is coming back this season. He said that Dave hasn’t reared his ugly head on the show yet but you never know with Desperate Housewives. Dave was really creepy.
I asked him about working with the ladies. He told me that everyone thinks there is a lot of drama behind the scenes on the set but it is not like that at all. He talked about working with Felicity Huffman and how they have great chemistry together. He said that he has a great off screen wife and a great onscreen wife as well. Doug said that he can’t wait to go to work and that he loves his job. He talked about how much fun he has on the set with his co-workers as well.
We talked about his life and his 4 kids and his wife. I asked him if he would ever become a stay at home dad like on the show and he said that he and his wife are both actors and he already does everything a stay at home dad or mom would do . I thought that was wonderful that he makes time for his family even with his busy schedule.
Doug was interested in me as well. I thought that the interview was going to be about him and the book and the show but that wasn’t the case. He asked me questions about my blog and my life. I told him about where I am from and about my son Noah. We talked about what I like to write about and what products I found that are especially good. I told him about Fairytale Brownies because they are so delicious. Look for my review of Fairytale Brownies shortly and a giveaway too. Maybe he’ll enter lol.
He asked me if I am a Colts fan and I didn’t hear what he said so I said a who fan. He told me he likes the Colts too and how much he likes Peyton Manning. Neither of us knows who the Colts are playing Sunday though. Doug is very funny and interesting and I couldn’t ask for a better guy to talk to.
So Thanks Doug for the chance to talk to you and for taking time out of your busy day to talk to me. I hope we can talk again sometime.
I was really nervous at the beginning but Doug put me right to ease. He is so down to earth and friendly. He made me feel like we were old friends catching up on what is new with our lives. It was weird when he was first on the line cause I knew it was him from watching the show so much and not Dr. Oz.
Doug is very nice and I really enjoyed talking to him. He told me about a new book that he is involved in. The makers of Listerine co-developed a really cute book of illustrations with humorous captions. The book is called 36 and ½ Reasons To Laugh A Slice of Life. It is written by Rick Adams and illustrated by Chuck Gonzales. This book helps you remember to laugh at those funny moments in your life. After all they say Laughter is the best medicine.
For every book produced, Listerine made a generous donation to The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation’s program called America’s Toothfairy to help low income families get dental care for their children. There a millions of children that have toothaches and that prevent them from eating properly. Some families just can’t afford dental care and it tends to be something that gets forgotten.
The book is excellent. Every page has made me laugh. It would be a great coffee table book for your guests to pick up and look at. It would definitely be a conversation starter. I hope you all will check it out and help those children have a healthy Smile. For more information please visit Listerine's website
Of course we talked about Desperate Housewives as well. I got some inside information. He didn’t tell me who Mike is marrying but he did say I would find out within the first few minutes of the first show of the new season. The new season of Desperate Housewives starts Sunday September 27th at 9 pm ET. I also asked him about Dave and if he is coming back this season. He said that Dave hasn’t reared his ugly head on the show yet but you never know with Desperate Housewives. Dave was really creepy.
I asked him about working with the ladies. He told me that everyone thinks there is a lot of drama behind the scenes on the set but it is not like that at all. He talked about working with Felicity Huffman and how they have great chemistry together. He said that he has a great off screen wife and a great onscreen wife as well. Doug said that he can’t wait to go to work and that he loves his job. He talked about how much fun he has on the set with his co-workers as well.
We talked about his life and his 4 kids and his wife. I asked him if he would ever become a stay at home dad like on the show and he said that he and his wife are both actors and he already does everything a stay at home dad or mom would do . I thought that was wonderful that he makes time for his family even with his busy schedule.
Doug was interested in me as well. I thought that the interview was going to be about him and the book and the show but that wasn’t the case. He asked me questions about my blog and my life. I told him about where I am from and about my son Noah. We talked about what I like to write about and what products I found that are especially good. I told him about Fairytale Brownies because they are so delicious. Look for my review of Fairytale Brownies shortly and a giveaway too. Maybe he’ll enter lol.
He asked me if I am a Colts fan and I didn’t hear what he said so I said a who fan. He told me he likes the Colts too and how much he likes Peyton Manning. Neither of us knows who the Colts are playing Sunday though. Doug is very funny and interesting and I couldn’t ask for a better guy to talk to.
So Thanks Doug for the chance to talk to you and for taking time out of your busy day to talk to me. I hope we can talk again sometime.
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