Post II from Boy X

(insert self-promotion here!) I know, I know. Another post? 2 in the same day? Wow. This kid is really addicted!
First of all. This is just a thing that will point you all to different sites that I am a member of.
Second, Sorry to be so greedy about this and assertive, but hey, to be honest, I think you all could help me out with something.

Okay, so. Seein' as you read the above text, I will now proceed to point you to different sites that I am a member of....
SITE #1: Youtube
SITE #2: Twitter
SITE #3: Vote for me on WoodstockStory! Remember, 5 stars!
SITE #4: Blogger
SITE #5: (Actaually an Email address) colinmochrie AT comcast DOT net

See ya. SORRY MOM FOR POSTING AGAIN AND FOR BEING UP AT 12 IN THE MORNING!

Surprise!! The Reviews are back! Review of Inca Kola

So, after a long, previously unannounced hiatus, Boy X Requests is BACK! Woohoo!
This time, though, it is a solo review, with no help from Mom. I will be reviewing a Soda that I received in the mail today, ordered from Amazon of course. The soda's name: Inca Kola.
There is pretty much a guarantee that none of you have ever heard of it before, simply because it is available in the U.S. in a very limited market. It is a product made by the Coca-Cola company, and it is very.... different. I will be posting a video review instead of a text one for today, so, yeah. Here is the review:

I hope you enjoyed my short (VERY short) review of Inca Kola, a Brazilian soda that tastes like Cotton Candy Bubble Gum.

Ooh! I almost forgot! Go to Boy X/Lime's Blog to see my personal Blog.

P.S. WOW, that video took SUCH a long time to upload!

Etsy Vintage Shopping

This week, I had fun shopping on Etsy. Just a few things , certainly less than my shopping cart originally showed, but I couldn't pass this little 4 inch creamer by. I'm not really sure of her age but she was conceived in Japan and I think she looks about 40 or so, don't you? I use everything I own or else I wouldn't own it so I'll use her in the morning, when breakfast is special and special means coffee, milk, fruit and pastry.

And this is true story of 3 Little Planes, even though you only see two. The green plane hung in my fathers workshop and it's dated 1976.
I was ecstatic this week to find the yellow cast aluminum plane at the local thrift shop because that meant I only needed one more, the red one.
So, where do I go?
Etsy. What luck!

I ordered this one but he wasn't here in time for the unveiling. Anyway, I have (or will) all three now!
I think I'll suspend them in the sunroom after it's painted this fall. My father would be happy.

I don't think I need to explain why she ended up in my shopping cart.
I'll need just the right potholder for her and now I want three cherries to surround her anthromorphic goodness.
Guess it's back to Etsy for this girl...

I love Etsy, don't you? It's like vintage shopping in your pj's!



I'm baaaackkk...sorry ladies.
~It's Vintage Thingies Thursdays with Suzanne at Colorado Lady~
Do go visit Suzanne and the long list of vintage lovers like me, only they have better stuff.

Killer Pheromones at my House

Yes, yes, yes, I realize that her abdomen looks like a severed thumb, but you get the idea.
I've always had a thing about ants.
When I was little, I'd sit on the sidewalk in front of the house and feed them crumbs or "help" them carry something to the queen. I really believed that somewhere, in some dark, dark tunnel sat a queen enrobed in velvet.
(It only shows that I have imagination; puh-leeze).

Summer here on the east coast has been wet. At first I felt sorry for the ants, there was no one else that would take them in. I tried to hide them from Mr. Man and Boy X but they both quickly caught on. My sympathy quickly turned to crushing irritation as it became imperative to even rinse a spoon immediately after use or 3,000 Well Hidden Somewhere in my Wall ants came to lick the spoon.

He called an exterminator and I wanted to know what they and I were in for.
How would they die? Would it be quick and painless? Would there be wailing and gnashing of mandibles?

The salesman had explained how Armageddon would go down. It would be quick and easy.
And horribly inhumane!
"After shooting an odor attractive fine white powder in the crevices, the ants will swarm to the source. In the frenzy, they will run their bodies over the powder, which is actually minute shards of glass." They would be sliced to death. Not only that but think of all the bloody bodies I would have to dispose of. Surely there's a law prohibiting mass burials like that.

Before the scheduled date, I tried my best to escort any vagrant ants outdoor, their life depended upon it. How could I look them in the eye, knowing that tomorrow, death would come at my hands?
I drank some Godiva White Chocolate with a splash of milk and tried to drown my guilt in a jelly jar.

He came. Monday morning it was done.
It's not over, but it was done.
And it wasn't shards of glass that killed them.
It was Pheromones that killed the ants.

The exterminator wore normal clothing and he looked upon his task dutifully, a bit detached but showing no joy, like the guy that flips the switch.
He removed a bag like drug dealers use containing the same thing they sell at the grocery store Pheromone traps. I guess these were special pheromones since they were so expensive, sorta like a high society floozy from DC.

"The packets contain pheromone which the ants not only want, but need". (Haven't we all heard that line girls?) " With pheromone, we don't go to the ants, they come to us!"

At first, I thought it odd that pheromones could kill. The nice man explained that the biggest, strongest ant is looked upon favorably by the queen. You know, fa-vorably.

This is before the ants *splode* with hormones and when the queen herself OD's , the colony is no more. Sexageddon.
I guess if they have to go, it's the best way to go, with kool-aid pheromones.

Guess what else he told me about ants?
It's only carpenter ants that die without a queen. They must report back to her for instructions every 72 hrs or they self detonate.
Regular old boring household ants will appoint a new queen, they don't care.

Or so they say. How do we know there is not mourning and gnashing of mandibles?

Purex 3 in 1 Laundry Sheets winner

Random.org says that number 1, Keetha of Keepie DaNiece's Eclectic Stuff , is the winner in the Purex 3 in 1 Laundry Sheets giveaway.
Congratulations Keetha, you're going to love 'em!
I'm sorry everyone couldn't win but I do so urge you to try them. I promise I wouldn't tout their praises if they didn't work. Laundry is serious business!

Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters and YUM!

Whoo hoo! I finally got to try the new Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters that everyone is raving about. My Blog Spark sent one of each flavor to try , which was very nice since trying just one flavor wouldn't have been enough. Since I'm the snack princess, it was imperative that I try all flavors so I could make an informed decision. It's a royal little family over here that can be a royal pain when there are no snacks in the cupboard.

Most of the time, it's not even real hunger that drives me to snack, it's the chewing and I don't mean gum chewing. My portion of any snack is usually very small but I eat like a bird, all day long. If I allow myself to do so, I can eat so many snacks that I ruin my dinner, just like mama warned. I've made an effort to at least eat healthy snacks but don't push fruit on me unless it's squeezed into a glass and don't try to convince me that cardboard tastes good.

Rarely is something 100% natural, wholesome and delicious so I was bit skeptical when I saw the descriptor delicious. They are indeed delicious; enough of a crunch to satisy my chomping urge (but light enough to not dislodge a tooth like some granola snacks), honey sweetened to satisy a sweet tooth and just lightly salted enough to satisfy that craving. These crunchy little clusters are all that and they're 100% natural!

Not only that, they come in a resealable bag so we can carry these during our summer daytrips to eat as we peruse the city. Forget streetvendor candy bars and ice cream shop treats, if we eat Nature Valley Granola Nut Snacks, we're eating healthy and we still get dinner out on the town, our appetites unspoiled since we had such a light snack. One bag serves five at only 140 calories per serving so this is a snack that goes a long way. It's a carb serving so it provides fuel for your hardworking or hard playing body , it's the perfect snack for on the go or on the couch.


Huge thanks to My Blog Spark for giving us the opportunity to see that healthy snacks can be delicious!



Big thanks to Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters for making a snack that's lightly sweetened, lightly salted and with my favorite, granola.
Visit here to pick up a coupon; your snack monkeys will thank you!
This snack won't break your diet, your pocketbook or your tooth.


I'm the snack princess and what snacks come in this house, I'll test, thank you very much.

The Coccyx

I have a large coccyx.
Some people have larger than ample breasts, others have birthing hips or big mouths; I have a large coccyx.
Maybe one day I'll photograph my coccyx for the world to see, but for now, I'm just beginning to accept my coccyx.

click to learn more about the coccyx!
If you're so inclined.

It's only natural that my coccyx be large because in a past life, I am sure I was a panther.
A panther with a pink sparkly collar, an impressively voluptuous tail and a sexy purr.
Of course in this life, I have only the remnants of what once was, I have a tailbone.
And that's okay with me because I know who I really am. I know where I came from.

Please don't think I'm being boastful or arrogant,
I'm sure your coccyx is very nice also but mine just has that little
something extra. Like a dinosaur's dog bone, it's large, sturdy and bony.
If you and I were walking down a big city sidewalk, I can tell you right now that people would notice my coccyx if I were to display it.

My spine is very well defined, it's the only part of me that looks emaciated.
I have an emaciated back bone and an over inflated coccyx, even though my condition has never been medically diagnosed.
If you only saw me from behind and my coccyx was well under wraps, you'd have no idea that I was hiding a large lumpy coccyx.


Maybe this was nature's way of prompting me to keep on going, to never sit down.

I guess I could get a tattoo on my coccyx, maybe a panther tail up my spine and entwining my body. But I think I'm on the road to accepting my coccyx. After all,
it's not every girl that has such kitten like qualities.

There. I feel much better having brought my coccyx out in the open like that.
If I can help just one person...



Did you know that your tailbone was named a coccyx because it resembles the beak of a cuckoo?
And not the tail of a panther.

So you think you're a CEO, hnh?

Do you really think you're in charge ?

My friend Steve Jobs (well, I'm sure we would be great friends if he had the chance to meet me) is a CEO and he wears black sweaters with no vomit or formula stains. Martha Stewart is a CEO and she knows how to get what she wants, she can even take time off work. So I think I know enough about CEO's to inform you that as mothers,
we aren't really in charge of anything.

If we were really the big chief commander's....

• We wouldn't be taking orders like a shortorder cook after just closing the kitchen. I don't think we'd be eating chicken fingers and curly fries at the little peoples table either, or pretending to be a food pilot. A commander sits at the head of the table and rarely gets food thrown at her.

• Why aren't we wearing a uniform then? Your daily uniform may be similar to mine; washable. You do your own laundry and your subject's laundry as well. People in authority wear red and although you may have a red tshirt, it's not the same. We don't powerdress so we couldn't very well be CEO's.

• Where's the nanny? If we were in charge, there would be someone taking our orders. Nanny would faithfully sit by the baby's crib, keeping a nighttime vigil so we could get our rest. People in charge have been known on more than one occasion to ignore a baby's cry for help. We couldn't do that because we're not in charge.

• If I'm really in charge, then why didn't he wear the Chiquita banana sticker on his forehead for my amusement as opposed to his own? And can I really be reduced to courtroom jester in a twinkling of an eye? I don't think Chief Commander's can be overruled so easily, over and over again. Pretty soon, everyone realizes that they are not in charge.

• What about your checkbook? Your name may be on the checkbook , even monogrammed on the checkbook, but the money is not to be spent by you. That is, not until little Joey gets that brand new gotta have toy or you purchase those ten bags of dirt for the garden. Then, with any money leftover, you can pick yourself up a sale item.
  

After all this time, I've just realized all these things and thought I'd share my wisdom with you. Here I've gone and planned and organized and sacrificed for the company and all the while,
I was only a mom, I'm no Chief commander at all. I'm a mom trying to raise a child to believe that he can touch the stars.
My son may be a big tycoon CEO of a record industry that will one day
give me a job.


In the end, they will speak of us with love and admiration.
And the Chiquita sticker will have been well worth it.

The Cowardly Lion

He was a dandy lion

that's always had a ton of courage.


He is the
King of the Forest

A Little Faith

This summer, BoyX and I will be gathering supplies and designing my nervous breakdown an H.R. Pufnstuf costume.

That's right. My son decided that he would like to be the Mayor of Living Island for Halloween. Since the time is drawing near when he will no longer desire to beg for candy, I want to make the most of this year. We're starting early since this one will require a lot of work (and patience). Our goal is to make a chicken wire form for the head and cover with material; to get his head completed.

I am not a costume designer and I lack technical foresight while making costumes. I always think any costume can be made with air dry clay. I have to make a pattern as I go, determine what supplies I need, what needs to be done, as I come to each bridge. This procedure is also known as the Totally Unprepared Method.

So I guess we'll will carve our own path. And head.

You see, when your child has faith in you, it's different than faith you bestow upon yourself. You can convince yourself all too quickly of your own limitations but a child knows no limitations.
Each time I've made his costume, I've learned something technical and something human.
When the costume is completed and it doesn't look exactly right, when a pin sticks him in the gut or we have to cut off an extra arm, his response is always the same.
"That's okay, it looks great. You did the best you could do, thanks mom."

I think he's learned what I have tried so hard to teach him; as long as you do your best. He has taught me that with faith, pretty much anything is possible.

Had I given up while making any of those costumes, I would have taught him that his faith was unwarranted. He would have learned from my quitting that we shouldn't even bother doing something unless we know we will succeed. I didn't know he was watching, I thought he was just waiting.


A child's faith can make a seamstress, a personal shopper, an educator, a lawyer, a dietician, a psychologist and a social butterfly out of you. A child's faith is pretty inspiring!
It's Monday's Muse with Heather at Maternal Spark.
What (or who) is inspiring you?

Bona Drag

I think I'm in need of a shopping fix. How about you?

Lace up back dress
by With Hearts in My Eyes




Silk Cropped Crossback Top
by Dawn Sharp



Full Skirt
by Judi Rosen



(Oh.my.gosh. I am going ta die.)
Pussy Willow Earrings
by Stephanie Simek




And these? These Capezio Lace Up Dance shoes
are what I must, I must, I must absolutely have.

All the others would be nice as well, in case I have a secret admirer or somethin'.
I think I love them all equally so better send all.
They can all be found at
Bona Drag
my latest, greatest favorite place to dream.

I Can Name 50 Trees Today! giveaway

"Mom, what kind of tree is that?"
"Well that's a big tree, isn't it son?"
~~~~~~~


Have you been asked that question before? If you haven't, I can almost guarantee that the time will come when you'll be put on the spot like I was.

Cat and co. teach your child how to identify different species of trees by their leaves, bark or fruits. This is a book you'll want to read with your child (so they don't know something you don't) although it's rated for beginning readers. With so much information on each page, it might be a little overwhelming without Mom or Dad.

Being able to identify trees is one of those fun things to know , like naming the clouds or even performing card tricks. Everyone can learn them, but not everyone takes the time to do so.
Summertime is the perfect time for reading under the tree and what better book to read than one about trees?
Available on Amazon. com along with many other Learning Library books such as flowers, weather, bugs and more.

Do you have a child that's a nature lover or do you want to instill a love of trees in your child?
Have you ever asked your child his favorite tree and asked him to describe?


If you'd like a copy of
I Can Name 50 Trees Today
by
Bonnie Worth

Just leave a comment below answering this question,
What is your favorite type of tree?

If you'd like extra entries, feel free to enter daily but you must name a different tree each day!
That shouldn't be too difficult as I have trouble picking out just one...




Giveaway open to US shipping and entry only.
Giveaway ends July 17th, 11 PM. EST

A few winners

I've got winners to announce!

The winner of the Strong As Steel Yoga Mat is ...... commenter number 7, Robyn's Online World! Congratulations !

And there were two winners in the Pillsbury Bake-Off Giveaway. Each winner receives a Bake Off magazine (you're goina love it!) and a Pillsbury Giggle Doll for the little one.
Commenters numbered 6 and 5, That's Peggy and that's Mia J ; congratulations!

Thanks very much to everyone who entered and a big thanks to Fractured Toy sponsors!

A Summer Staycation

Last summer, a big red cow came to town. This summer, we'll be here if he should decide to come back.

***********

It doesn't matter where you are, you're still going to clean. Or need to.

When we go on trips and stay overnight at a hotel, I always pile up the towels neatly before we leave, swipe all the free samples, throw away any trash we've made by eating and drinking like pigs in a hotel room and then, I make the bed. I've had people laugh at me for this so don't you do it, I'm sensitive. I like things clean and tidy and this summer, there's going to be a lot of cleaning to do; vacation or not.

We're vacationing like lots of other families are doing this summer, we're "staycationing" by enjoying being in our sweet little home. We'll also be taking daytrips, enjoying croquet in the yard , bbq's and whether he likes it or not, a crab feast. There's lots of things to do near home if you're not going to Paris. Not that I want to go to Paris and shop. Not me. Not in a million years would it ever matter if I did. So we like to {gasp} work in the yard together, play with the hose and throw stuff at each other and enjoy meals on the breezeway together. Prepared by moi and cleaned up afterwards by moi. I am very careful to properly wipe down, clean and disinfect, and I'm even more so in the summer. I really, really do not want the reputation of poisoning my gentleman friend or child with bacteria tainted food. I shudder to think of the social embarrassment.

Mom Central and MommyDocs came up with a list of Five Tips for Summer Staycations to keep your family safe (and your house cleaner too!) . I'd love to share these quick tips with you; sometimes we forget the obvious and it helps to just be nudged a bit. We're here to nudge.

1. Stay Safe at BBQs: Keep kids away from flames and sharp knives . Before you serve that burger, check with a thermometer to make sure it's reached proper internal temperature. It can look done and not be done.
2. Keep that pool clean. What a breeding ground for bacteria and mosquito's, left uncleaned or not cleaned properly! Disinfect with 3/4 cup of Clorox bleach to one gallon water, rinse and dry. Don't leave water in the pool unless it's supervised swim time.
3. Kids can become dehydrated very quickly outdoors in this heat. Teach your child to take frequent shade breaks and moms; bring on the drinks. Encourage fluids before, during and after outside activities. Dehydration can be extremely dangerous so take all precaution.
4. Playgrounds can also be a safety issue so remember to look for these things to ensure a fun and safe trip to the park; Test out that swing that could be sun burning hot before the kids jump on to avoid burns (and screams). Make sure the surface is that soft, cushy kind, it's designed to help prevent and minimize injury. Lastly, adult supervision at all times and keep an eye not only on your child, but the equipment he's playing on.
5. It's the season of spills and if you're like me, I am constantly wiping up something. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and even carry bacteria so it's best to clean these by sanitizing first. Soak dishrags and sponges in a Clorox bleach solution (3/4 to a gallon of water) for five minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry. And did you know this? I didn't. A wet sponge can be microwaved to get rid of bacteria.
   

Cool! Thanks Mom Central, Clorox and MommyDocs, those are extremely easy and helpful tips to help us play safe and be safe this summer. Who wants to go to Paris in the summertime anyway? Stupid ole Paris.

The Baby Bird

Every evening, it's the same routine. Our dogs are kenneled during the day as they cannot roam the yard without digging trenches and ingesting greenery. So every evening about 7, I lead them from the kennel to the back yard for a supervised romp and snack. Last night, we weren't so attentive and the littlest varmit found a tiny baby bird fallen from her nest. Of course, the big dog gets in on the heinous act and by the time we grab the screaming, pitiful baby, she's in the throngs of death. I sat and held her as she took her last breath, which seemed forever to come. At one point, I suggested that we had to put her out of her misery, it was the only thing to do.

"How do we do that? I've never done that. Do you want me to go get a knife and chop her head off?" I couldn't believe my ears.
"No!" I said. One time I had to end it for a bunny that was dieing and I did it with the car."
"How? Do you want me to crush the baby with the wheel? I'll do it with the motorcycle so it doesn't make a noise."
He was upset about the baby bird also but in a man sorta way.

Such descriptive language left me deciding to hold the baby while telling her it would be okay. It wouldn't be okay because she didn't wake up this morning.
Naturally, I was a sobbing hysterical mess and when I cry, which is hardly ever, I am a zombie the next day. I buried her this morning, in the shade under the flowers.

This is why I am a zombie.

The state capital in Harrisburg, PA.
Isn't it gorgeous?

Is your state capital building impressive?

It could happen to you

It could happen to any of us but only Mark Tatulli has the nerve to talk about it.

Visit Mark Tatulli on Facebook or see more Lio on Uclick Go Comics.




We're off to the Atomic Warehouse and will return shortly with STUFF.

The Lace Makers of Glenmara

"All it takes is a new thread"
~Kate's mom~

Since reading The Lace Makers of Glenmara by author Heather Barbieri, that quote comes to mind when I look at a piece of hand stitched lace. Everything begins with just one new thread, like Kate's life when all seemed hopeless. Having been jilted by her boyfriend and having lost her mother to cancer, Kate decides to get away, to take her mother's advice and set off on a journey to Ireland in an attempt to recreate herself.

It's a perfect summertime escape book that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page. At the beginning of the book, I was a bit concerned the author was setting us up for an inspirational "well isn't that so nice for her" plot. As the story goes on though, you see real life likeable characters with very real dilemma's and heartaches. Inspirational it is, but only because you realize that no one is exempt from heartache and yet, each of us can begin anew. All of the people that Kate meets in Glenmara add to her life in some way and she to theirs. It's a life changing story that began with one new thread.

I was left guessing more than a few times, it's not a predictable story. Written by an author that's won international recognition for her short novels, Heather Barbieri definitely knows how to tell a story. It's a book about Kate but it's about much, much more; it's a book about all of us. Sometimes, what seems to be an insignificant action can lead to a whole new life. We end up different because of that action and in turn, we affect all of those around us. Kate's renewed love of lace and stitchery weaves an intricate, detailed piece of art called life and everyone in Glenmara is drawn in.

This was an enchanting, somewhat calming, down by the seashore kind of book although I did imagine myself in the hills of Ireland. I'm so happy Mother Talk asked me to review; sometimes we forget just how lovely novels can be. Heather Barbieri reminded me of that.

The Lace Makers of Glenmara can be found on Amazon, in stock and available now. You can also visit Heather Barbieri's website here and be sure to stop by Mother Talk to read all the reviews.

Pack light

We don't go away on vacation.
As in, Disney or Europe or a week at the ocean like normal people do.

We do quite a few daytrips or over nighters and I've learned how to pack light. This little travel jewelry case caught my eye ; isn't it adorable? It reminds me of a little girl's Easter purse or a Lolita purse or a Jackie O! purse.
I can even squeeze in some lipstain, mascara and eyeshadow in the deep under compartment and zoom off if I'm really roughin' it.



Isn't the ring that Boy X got me (for no reason at all!) so cute?
I'll enjoy the few minutes I spend packing my jewelry and snapping it closed.
It doesn't take much to make the ordinary special, does it?

I have a feeling this little cutie will be going on a lot of trips with me.

Daytrips or overnighters.
Because we don't go on vacation like normal people.

Country Mouse

Population: not many

I had a friend, that lived in the city, in a warehouse. He was a drummer in a band and he had gorgeous long dredlocks way beyond his shoulder . He and his wife are Rastafarian's and I got along well with both. The more I got to know her, the more I liked her, even though I had been friends with him much longer.
But the first time I visited them, I felt like a country bumkin.

"A warehouse?", we said, "Is he down on his luck? I thought the band was goin' good."

After guzzling a few sodas for nerve, I put on my city shoes and made the drive to see them, my trusty street map in hand. I had obviously made a wrong turn onto "wrong place to be in the city street" and no longer trusted my map. Or the people on street corners that looked me in the eyes to make sure I wasn't lookin them in the eyes.

A country bumkin in the city, I looked forward to seeing the lights of the warehouse. I finally found the place, I knew it by the worn spice advertisement on the impressive historic building. I clunked up the rickety open style elevator after being buzzed through by security, wondering what all that was about. Was there perhaps a murderer loose in the building? Things like that happen all the time in the city, I'd heard.
Forever the gracious hostess, Gina was at the door to welcome me. After a quick embrace, she pointed to the mat on the side of the door and told me to "get comfortable and put your shoes right here" .
"Wha??? I don't have mud on my shoes, do I?"

I hesitated but I did take off my shoes , lest I felt even more bumkin like. She said they thought it made it more comfy for everyone and the kids always knew where their shoes were.

"C'mon on in the kitchen and let's make you a ..."
"Cup of Coffee!" , I grinned knowingly, still the same Gina.
"Actually, we have an Espresso now, get over here and let's whip some up and catch up."
I watched the newfangled machine whip up something very unfamiliar and I was quite sure I wouldn't like it. Come to find out, it was just what I had needed, the sodapop buzz had gone the way of the street corner and I was beginning to pale.

While we sat on the floor chatting, I realized Gina hadn't changed at all. The things she talked about where all different things, now that she lived in the city. And yet, she was my friend and we were right there in her warehouse living room in our socks eating scones, sipping espresso and gossiping. I guess she had changed, but not into another person or anything.

They took the small town out of her and they made her a chic city chick. And whenever I went to visit her, that's just what I was too; imagine me!
She came to visit me many times in our small town and we'd walk by the water, go antiquing and eat ice cream cones. When she was here, the small town took the chic city chick out of her and she was small town Gina.

Sometimes you meet people with whom you just feel right at home, no matter where home is.
Even if you have to take your shoes off in the city or roll your jeans up, walking the water's edge.

Moms and Dads

The way mom's see things.


The way dad's see things.

And they're both good things.
Make it a good day for Dad!

Photofiddle winner

It's a win for commenter number 10, throuthehaze.

She's the winner of the $50 Photofiddle gift certificate giveaway.....congratulations!
Thanks Photofiddle; you can fiddle with our photo's anytime.

Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheet review and giveaway

closed

When you try a new product, what is it that makes you want to try it again?
If you're a loyal user of one particular brand and have been forever and everything's fine, no need to change, what makes you try an alternative at all?

I try new products for a few different reasons. If the product in question looking to replace my current brand offers up valid points for the change, I'll try it, I listen to reason. If the new product has an obvious better way of getting he job done, I'm not one to remain loyal to a dieing dinosaur.

Purex Complete 3 in 1 Laundry Sheets is all over the place these days, stirring things up on the web, in grocery stores and markets. A completely new way of doing your laundry is right at your dainty little fingertips. I heard about these first over at Renee's , she was so impressed with them that it made me anxious to try. I wanted to make sure I wasn't just starstruck by her glowing review, she seemed so convinced.

The first time I did my laundry using the sheets, I immediately recognized the benefits. My laundry came out clean and smelling fresh, I had saved time fiddling with the fabric softener, my laundry shelf was much tidier with the smaller footprint packaging and I didn't have to throw away another one of those big, bulky jugs. After using up the 20 sheets, I felt pretty sure I was a convert. But I wanted to try again, to be sure I wanted to make the switch, after all, I'd been using the same detergent for ten years!

Mom Select is so crazy about the new Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets that they want us all to have the chance to try them. Please, if you don't win this giveaway, next time you can, pick up a 20 load pkg., you really are going to fall in love! If you'd like a coupon towards your first purchase, visit here to print. I'm just ga-ga over with my new dryer sheets and in return, they give me great results and a few saved minutes running back and forth to the laundry room.

I'm also impressed with the company themselves; Purex is revolutionizing the way we do laundry and they've teamed up with Kivo.com and Angie Harmon to support women-owned businesses. When you buy new Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets, just enter the bar code at Purex Changes Lives (have they ever!) and Purex will make a donation to the female entrepreneur from your choice of the profiles. These are women from all over the world that are struggling to make ends meet. Purex is making a difference in your life, why not make a difference in someone elses?


Like to try a 20 count package of Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets? Mom Select sent one for me and one for you! I've got a 20 load package of Spring Oasis scent ( I want that one too! )
I'd love to send you.

For your entry, comment below with the answer to the following question:

Do you have a laundry day or do you pretty much do laundry every day?
I spend a lot of time doing laundry since mine reproduces on it's own.

Giveaway open to US shipping and entry only.
Giveaway ends June 31st and winner will be notified via email. Winner has 72 hrs to respond or prize is forfeited.

{EDIT: Um... since there IS no June 31st (thanks Keetha!), I'll draw the winner on the 30th at 11 PM, EST.)
Thanks for understanding; I believe I'll blame it on heatstroke. Yes, heatstroke.

Big thanks to Mom Select for the chance to review and give away! I'm like you, I'm smitten with the new Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets. And I'm not usually smitten with cleaning products :)

Down by the River

It's the Dakota, right across from Central Park West in NYC. Completed in 1884, the Dakota was originally designed for the head of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. but it's probably most famous for it's occupants, John and Yoko. Boy X was in heaven; look, it's Yoko!

And these are the houses of everyday, hardworking people. We drove down this street on the motorcycle and it struck me...this is America.

And so is this. This house looks like a general store but indeed, it's a house and a delightful house, I think! I like how the window frames upstairs match the frame around the door. It gives it a ruffly look. I think this house needs those buntings I'm crushin over. I can't figure out who lives here, can you?

And this is how river people live. There
s something very magical to me about homes on the river.
And mysterious.
I wonder about the people that live here.
I thought I liked them, I figured it was a single guy that was a fireman and a fisherman.
I don't know, just my imagination.
But then. When I got the picture home and had more time to look, I see the cage out front with a trapped animal. It was hot that day and if I had seen him, I would have set him free; trespass or not.
Now I think a man that looks like Jeffrey Dahmer lives here and he eats boiled raccoons for dinner.

It's Hooked on Houses day with Julia.
And they're not all weird like me.

25 yr old William and 14 yr old Milley

Today I'll share something that is not pretty and I'm not okay with.
I keep these packed away as I don't like having them but I don't want to not have them. From my aunt's estate, they were given to my father. When my father died, they became mine. My father didn't display them either, he kept them the way my aunt kept them , the way I keep them now, tucked away. Tucked away gently in my drawer but never forgotten are 25 yr old William and 14 yr old Milley.

In 1853, William , a 25 yr old black man was sold for $500.
In 1857, 14 yr old Milley was sold for $800.
I worry about William and Milley and try to put myself in their shoes. How must it have felt to be sold? I find it oddly disturbing that the terminology used in both sales includes the wording,
"to have and to hold".

( I should clarify that the documents themselves were purchased by my aunt at an estate sale)




Because I don't want you to be sad, I'll also share my little ....thing.
My mother and her sister went crazy in the seventies. They started crocheting anything and everything! Afghans, decanter covers, dishwashing bottle dresses, potholders, doilies and more....it was more than I could take.
I held onto this little girl, some afghans , doilies and asst. small things but overall,
I don't care for crochet since the time they went crazy crochet.
Don't let this happen to your children.



Happy Vintage Thingies Thursday's!

Jumpin Johnny jump ups

So that's why they call them Johnny Jump Up's.
I love Johnny Jump Up's because they're like tiny delicate dancers that frolic in the wind. They do everything in unison, including packing up and moving from where I planted them (on the other side of the yard) to smack dab in the middle of the garden.
Johnny Jump Ups really do jump.
I decided to work around them and let them have their way.

Yes, I do have a thing for that pitchfork. I've claimed him as my own and I like him right there!

So I got all artsy in my garden when the Johnny Jump Ups inspired me.
The Texaco sign looks more like a cemetery marker and that just may be appropriate.
I planted the strawberries in that empty spot you see. The problem is, the strawberry plants were all tangled and I'm not sure I planted the right end in the ground!

And no, that is not my handwriting.
Isn't that how Jimmy Carter spelled tomato?

I've planted upside down strawberries, tomatoes, squash, bok choy, pumpkin and watermelon.