A weekend of ICK! but pleasure

I spent the whole doggone weekend laying on the couch due to a severe stomach flu bug... I'll spare you all the details. It was not a fun time. I did have some Internet fun. I get utterly bored and stir crazy when I feel horrible enough to lounge on the couch. I started to take a nap Saturday after lunch and dreamt the whole time about decorating, houses, and the blogs that inspire me.

I was having fun browsing the Daisy Cottage Blog with her red, green, and yellow themed house. It made for a fun and enjoyable dream. The images just kept flashing by. This blog is so sweet and makes me want to just show up on her front porch with a smile and some coffee. It amazes me how almost everything she features looks as if it were meant to be placed in her house and how all the colors just go together perfectly.

I also enjoyed looking at my dear friend, Kimberly's blog, Home is Where the Heart Is. She recently was interviewed by The Gooseberry Patch!!! You can read the post on their blog by clicking on the link. I was beyond excited for her. How cool is that? Her blog is such a homey and inviting blog where she is constantly presenting her Gooseberry Patch book collection throughout. I swear she has all that they've ever published! I enjoy just listening to the music on her blog. It is so relaxing and spiritually uplifting. She is a woman of God. What an inspiration:)

Ruche- THE hat

I had forgotten about the company Ruche that has clothing that takes you back to a more simpler and romantic time. I have absolutely fallen in love with this hat. I'm not sure why, I think because it has a playful look, along with a romantic and classy look. It's a tad more than what I'd pay, but maybe I'll splurge or better yet, wait till it goes on sale.

Silpada Jewelry Fundraiser for Jennifer Daugherty

This is a fun way to raise money for Jennifer Daugherty's Fund. All proceeds that would normally be income will go to the fund. The family is organizing different things for the future to benefit the community. 1. is a scholarship for a person like Jennifer, mentally challenged, to go to a Trade School or to College. Jennifer always wanted to go to school to become a mechanic. 2. An organization to raise awareness and help others that are mentally challenged to acquire the supervision and skills to be safe.

Most of you know about Jennifer's Story and some of you may not. She was a very loving, sweet, and kind 30 year old woman. She was mentally challenged and wanted to be friends with everyone, no matter what. A little over a month ago she was taken away from us by some people. Her family is staying strong, but they need all the prayers and support that we can give them.

I wanted to help raise money and thought what better way than having a Silpada Jewelry Fund-raiser!! Gorgeous jewelry that is .925 Sterling Silver and makes a great present for someone or a treat for yourself.

I'm opening this Fund-raiser today and keeping it open until March 31st at 8pm.

I can accept Credit Cards, Checks, or Cash. This way people from all over can help support easily as well. Jewelry will be shipped straight to your address.

I know we can raise a lot and show our support for the family. Please invite your friends and spread the word.

Thank you!!

You can view the online catalog here and message me with your order and look at my Silpada website here.

Spring has arrived

In the form of one of my favorite magazines, Mother Earth News. I just adore reading all the inspiring articles about starting your own garden that will feed you through the spring/summer. This one spoke to me as soon as I saw it in the mail. "Start A Quick & Easy Food Garden" I am so excited to start. I'll be having some extra help from my handsome. He knows how to build me wooden gardens and landscape around it.

Just looking at the lettuce makes me excited to have a fresh salad with some good oil and vinegar and some homemade bread. Top that off with some local eggs and some canned beets, throw some grated mozzarella cheese, and some organic wine. hmmmm yum!

Bad Predictions

• "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." -- Western Union internal memo, 1876.

• "The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?" -- David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.

• "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." -- Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962.

• "So we went to Atari and said, 'Hey, we've got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us? Or we'll give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we'll come work for you.' And they said, 'No.' So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, 'Hey, we don't need you. You haven't got through college yet.'" -- Apple Computer Inc. founder Steve Jobs on attempts to get Atari and HP interested in his and Steve Wozniak's personal computer.

• "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.

• "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." -- Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977.

• "The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C', the idea must be feasible." -- A Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. (Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.)

I was reading all the blogs that I follow in my Bloglines list and came across this post by Brunette on a Budget. This really spoke to me, especially lately. I am doing what I feel is right and just. I have people telling me that I am wrong, blah blah, guess what I don't care anymore. I'm at that point where I am going about my merry little way like I had been. My mojo is coming back and with more vengeance than ever.

Just ran~1/2 a mile

This is a HUGE feat for me. I have never been a runner. Even when i was under 100 lbs all my high school years, I never could run. I'd get that stitch in my side or lose interest. I am a highly stressful person. I have anxiety that waxes and wanes and is a constant underlying condition. I also tend to go in bursts of energy where I can outdo most people in getting stuff done and fast (and well) or tuckering out quicker than others too.

I figured learning to run would be beneficial and helpful. I needed an exercise outlet and an anxiety outlet. Lately I've been going through some testing and trying times. There are old emotions, silly people, thoughts, time, and being sick that are all weighing me down. Today I read my girl friend's blog and listened to some of her youtube videos and read about her journey towards fitness. I just had to do something tonight.

I hopped on the treadmill, turned on the tv. I started out walking just to warm up, then decided I'd try running AGAIN...I always start out and get bored or give up. I started out too fast, then I decided to go slower and see if I could go farther/longer if I was going slower. Sure enough, I was lasting. I made it to a 1/2 a mile. This may sound like a very minute amount of running, but I am beyond happy and know that I can hit the 1 mile mark pretty soon.

I know what I'll be working :)

Tastefully Simple Party-yum!

It was a great party!!! I wish you all could have come. It was amazingly delicious. We sampled over 20 products from the Spring/Summer Tastefully Simple line. I fell in love with the line when I got the catalogs for my party.

Some of the most popular items were the Beer Bread Mix, Onion Onion, Garlic Garlic, Artichoke and Spinach Warm Dip... We tried a whole lot more, but those were my all time favorites. These really topped off the party. I am craving all of those and can't wait to start selling this. I am thinking of who will get gifts and what I will make next.

I'm so sorry that I forgot to take pictures. I even told handsome that I wanted to take pictures. We were having TOO much fun and food. Lol. I had a great group of friends and we just talked the whole time while saying hmmm, yumm, wow. I'll try to take pictures when I have a party of some sort next time .

Trade in your old electronics

The Nextworth/Target Partnership Trade In encourages everyone to trade in their electronics for a Target Gift Card. Sounds like a good deal to me. I never know what to do with old electronics that I have outgrown. Lol

The website even has a place to type in your electronic and see how much it's worth. The steps are easy to follow to:

1. Start by finding your product and get an instant quote. (You can simply type the name of your item in the search box at the top of every page.) Type keywords slowly. The search results will be automatically refined to help you find what you are looking for!
   
2. Print the pre-paid shipping label at the end of the transaction.
   
3. Carefully pack the items and apply the pre-paid shipping label to your package. Give it to your local postal carrier or drop it by a post office.
   
4. Once we receive the item, we make sure that the item is in the condition described.
   
5. Please allow us approximately ten business days, from when we inspect your item(s), to when we initiate your payment.

Chris Thile- You're an Angel and I'm Gonna Cry

This is a song that I am always listening to when I visit one of my favorite blogs: Home is Where the Heart Is It is just beautiful. Sort of a backwoodsy/folky sound.

Perfect for Spring

I am really digging the LL Bean Signature Collection. This is what I've been wanting from them for so long. I adore the plaid shirt and the skinny jean capris. I have some shoes that are very similar. I was never a huge LL Bean fan because I tend to like designer clothing, but they are really starting to appeal to me, maybe because I am a teacher and comfort, durability, and then fashion are what I look for. Something that I'd wear to teach in and wear everyday is what I have been in search of. I also recently switched my Credit Card to LL Bean and have always had wonderful service with them. Not to mention you earn rewards with them. I see some more rewards racking up in my future.

Burning the candle at both ends

I totally have been burning my candle and I have run out of wick. I am now fighting a pretty bad cold. 1st one this year though :) I always get them from the little kids that I teach. Lol

I have been helping with the Jennifer Daugherty cause and working and running around like normal for errands, commitments, etc. My weekends don't consist of any down time. Mind you I would never change what has been going on. :)

What I am working toward is worth every minute of time that I've put into it. When you feel so passionate about something all the way from you gut you have to go on with it. That is just what I am doing. I'll keep you all posted as soon as I can!

A Laurel for Jennifer Daugherty

Laurel: To remembering Jennifer Daugherty. About 700 memorial bracelets were distributed over a three-hour period at a fundraiser for Ms. Daugherty's family in Greensburg. Without question, Daugherty's torture and murder last month have had a profound impact: People, mostly strangers, are lining up to show their support weeks later. What's revealed is the resilient fabric of a caring, close-knit community.

As seen in the Tribune Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_671186.html

They have a section with Lances (negative things) and Laurels (positive things). This made me smile.

The Enchanted Moment

I had to run downtown today for some errands. I had to get some medicine, run to the bank to get money out, pay my car insurance, and mail things at the post office. I thought I'd stop by a newish local store that is set up to be a relaxing spa like experience. The couple that owns the business posts on the local blog and I wanted to meet them in person. I popped in and they were working on their sign, needless to say hours later I left.

We talked and talked and talked. They gave me a tour of their business and all the rooms. Soooo relaxing. Not sure which is my favorite. I sampled the cinnamon scrub and fell in love with it. I also got to try out a paraffin wax hand treatment. OMGosh they both were amazing. Now if only the rest of my body had gotten this treatment. The scrub smells so good and I love how it is all natural.

Heather is the owner of The Enchanted Moment. They are going to be holding classes from things such as Reiki, Holistic teachings, to Positive Thinking, etc. I'm super excited to have this in my town. I am also waiting to get some of the organic/vegan makeup that will be coming in.

If you want to order your own scrub you can email Heather at goddessoftheenchantedmoment@yahoo.com

The energy and feeling that is present in TEM was amazing. Time just MELTED away. I could've stayed all day. :)

Jennifer Daugherty Website

I keep posting about Jennifer and I can't help it. It is on our minds. When I first found out about her murder that night I could not sleep. I kept seeing her face when I closed my eyes, almost haunting me. Now it's a little different. It's almost comforting.

There is a gentleman that has made a webpage that is all about Jennifer and her story. There you can read about her, what went on, and what you can do. I will warn you, it IS graphic, the details of what they did to her. If I can just keep her memory alive it will be all worthwhile in posting about her.

A Simple Day

Something that I love to do from time to time is have a day in my town. It is a simple day, usually just getting some coffee, shopping, walking around the whole town, and eating lunch at one of the restaurants.

I love having people visit me so that we can have a "tourist" day. I'm hoping to have one of these days this coming Wed. with handsome's cousin. She is going through so much stress with the murder of her sister and all that comes with that. I almost wish that we could have a spa day together.

Some of my favorite shops to check out are:

Abigails- the coffee shop that is right on the Diamond, in the brick building beside the Library. They have great coffee, it's a nice small ma and pa owned place, amazing chicken salad sandwiches and my favorite place to sit is the comfy pleather couch. I get a drink to go and head out to the shops.

Library- I like to see what books are in the "Re-Readables" or the used bookstore that is inside the library, you never know what you'll find.

The Treehouse- Just down from the Library and beside the Post Office. They have little kid clothes that are adorable, but as some of you know I do not have kids just yet, so I go there for Lilly Pulitzer clothing. She has great stuff on the sales rack and stays up to date on the latest LP.

Dovecote- Same building as The Treehouse, has antiques, decor, and an everchanging selection of furniture, pictures, painting, chandeliers, etc. I have bought 2 paintings from there that I look at and enjoy every day.

Joes Bar- They have a huge outrageous collection of stuffed animals, I don't mean plush, both upstairs and downstairs in the back room. Elephant, Giraffe, Deer, Tigers, Antelope, Bears, Snakes, Kangaroo, etc...

The Finishing Touch- Down the street, same side, just cross the street running across. They have Vera Bradley, gifts, and Byers Choice. It's a more mature store, but there are things that I like to look at for gifts, buy.

The Toy Soldier- Down the street on the left. Little hole in the wall with handpainted soldiers from different eras. He has Magic Cards, Star Wars figures, etc.

The Curiosity Shop- A skip down the street from The Toy Soldier. She has everything all used and on consignment. Great deals and buys there. Be prepared to hunt for treasure.

Wicked Googly- Hop across the street for a drink or some good food. Go bowling.

The Ligonier Tavern- Across the street but on the same side. Food and drink, Artichoke dip is amazing and has won awards.

The Paper House- just up the street from the Tavern. She has Polish Pottery, Cards, Country decorating gifts, Lilly Pulitzer stationery and cards.

Persnickety- Up around the Diamond. Expensive, but gorgeous decor for your home and unique gifts.

The Toy Box- Down the street from Persnickety, heading out of town. TOYS TOYS TOYS, Playmobil, Games, Stuffed animals, puppets, marionettes, collector dolls, etc.

The Celtic Shop- up from Persnickety and around the bend. Imported goods from the British Isles.

Amica- up from the Celtic Shop, same side, just across the street running through. Amazing selection of gifts for anyone! My friend now owns this and everyone shops there for gifts and for themselves. Love it!

G Squared- Across the street and heading back to the Diamond. Artsy gifts. Handsome got me pearls from there. I'm in love with them. Unique handcrafted gifts from artisans.

Currant Thymes- Beside G Squared. Everything and everything for the kitchen/home.

Martin's- On the Diamond beside the Town Hall. Shoes, Woolrich, Columbia, apparel, and shoes.

Antiques on the Diamond- Two doors down from Martin's. Antiques and some awesome very different antiques.

This is my normal route, sometimes I venture to other places, but this is the typical simple day.

Run Run Run

I feel like I didn't even have a weekend, LOL. It's ok, I'm not really complaining. I'm quite thankful for all that I get to do. Had to squeeze everything in for this past weekend.

Friday night the family and handsome went to "Beauty and the Beast" that was put on by the neighboring high school. My mum was playing oboe/English horn in the pit. She did an amazing job. She really added to the serious or lovey scenes. The cast was a wonderful cast of high schoolers. I was so pleased to read in the program that many of the cast take private voice, dance, and acting lessons. That says a lot, that there is a great interest in musicals and acting! It was almost a packed theater and that theater holds a good number, probably around 1000 people.

Saturday we rode down to the DC airport to take handsome's boss and wife. It was a nice ride and good company. We arrived around 4:30 found a Ruby Tuesdays, at my favorite Carolina Chicken Salad and headed to the Leesburg Outlet Stores. We went to Ralph Lauren Polo and spent our wad of money. I got three t-shirt with polo designs and a black long sleeved shirt. Handsome got a pair of jeans, khakis, and a t-shirt. They had a deal spend $250 and get $50 off. Between the two of us we achieved this easily. We headed back and stopped at his old friend's house and hung out with his girlfriend and her son. We didn't get back home until past midnight. Needless to say I was so tired and just wanting to be in my bed.

Morning came quickly and handsome came in to take me to church and get his weekly dose of church in. As soon as church was out we ran up to his family on the mountain and gave them some memory bracelets and ran back down to Greensburg to handout the bracelets and accept donations. The one lady that was so kind during the Candlelight Vigil to let her coffee shop be the drop off for candles, she let us meet there to hand out the bracelets. Out of 1000 we are left with 300 or slightly under. We are going to take them to the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.

I am dragging today, but feel oddly accomplished.

Jennifer Daugherty, Rest In Peace

I had tried to not post about this, but it is heavy on my heart. My handsome's first cousin, Jennifer Daugherty was tortured for 36 hours, killed, and thrown away in a garbage can that was placed at a local middle school. This was not in my town, but a neighboring city that is 30 minutes away. Jennifer was a 30 year old woman that loved life and loved meeting people. She was mentally challenged and had the mind of a 12-14 year old. She could hold down a simple job, was always clean and presentable, held conversations, etc. She was extra loving and trusting, a wonderful example for all of us. Jennifer thought she was going over to her "friends" house to eat dinner and watch a movie. She got on a bus from her parent's house and left with a smile thinking that she was out for a fun time with her friends, only to never return.

I have watched some of what the family has had to go through. As if it weren't enough that they had to arrange her funeral and go through the red tape of that, they had to sit through the horrific details that were presented at the preliminary trial today. The 6 monsters that all took part in the torture and killing of Jennifer showed no remorse and some even laughed and smiled when the confessions were played.

This could have happened to anyone's mother, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter, friend, girlfriend. Several of the monsters had been arrested before and the one was arrested 3 times for violence against his ex wife, ex girlfriend and mother. Judge Debra Pezze let him go all three times. Something is wrong with this.

My heart breaks for them. I am still trying to think what I could do for them and what others can do to help. I wish I could take away the pain.

Giant Eagle

Our little town only has one place to shop for groceries, Giant Eagle, or as some in my family call it "Big Bird". So they have the monopoly on groceries in town.

I tend to spend a lot on groceries. I like to eat healthy and of quality. I will buy store brand or generic if I KNOW what goes into it all. That is few and far between. I believe that quality doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, but I will cough up the tagged amount in order to get it. I have 83 year old grandparents that still travel and do everything that people years younger do, sometimes slower, but they stay active. My Mammy attributes it to eating well. She grew up with meat and potatoes and swears by how she eats. I'd say she is a good advertisement of it. They can tomatoes, pears, peaches, green beans, asparagus, make jelly, pear preserve, and other things that they keep in the basement. I know the value of having foods on hand that are healthy and high quality.

I have been looking into ways to afford the organic food at Giant Eagle a little better. I must say it is hard to try to eat healthy and be on a budget. I understand why people that have lower incomes buy the easy or more junkish foods. I am always tempted to because it's cheaper!!!

I clip coupons every Sunday, do I remember to take them and my own reusable bags with me when I go to the GE, NOPE. That's a fail for me. I keep getting inspired by Vanessa and how she gets her groceries for almost free. It takes some time and a little elbow work, but I am seeing how I too can get my groceries for almost free. Better to keep the money in my savings than in the company's savings...Vanessa told me that one :)

Clip away and figure it out, it pays off.

Bzzagent-word of mouth website

I have been a member of Bzzagent for awhile, but had gotten away from it. Well, now I'm back and with vengeance. Vanessa from Johnstown Money Saving reminded me of it and now I am back on board and loving it.

When you join Bzzagent you get to weigh in what you think about different things. There are websites that you take a look at and then post your opinion on, surveys that you take so that they can tailor the websites to your interests, and other things to do to spread the word and influence marketing.

There are different levels that you attain. Right now I am a solitary bee, but as I attain points and stay active I'll move up in the "hive". When you're higher up you get early invites to things and there are more and more perks. I can't wait to move up!

Expired Coupons Get New Life

I am guilty of throwing away perfectly good coupons, let alone expired coupons. I have been chatting with my friend about her wonderful knowledge on couponing. To me she is a pro, one of those people that get free things and get her groceries for free. For the longest time I could not figure out what Catalinas were or other coupon lingo. She has been educating me and cluing me in to the wonderful world of coupons.

Her blog JohnstownMoneySaving "Saving Money Using the Net" is packed with awesome info on how to get groceries for free or close to nothing. I was just clipping some coupons and we were talking about the different terms and lingo when she said she sends her expired ones to the military. I've been meaning to do this for years. I just never knew where to send them! Her Feb. 4th post tells you all about where to send your expired coupons to so that the military men and women overseas can use them. I will be doing this!!!