Building Friends

We took a break from Holiday crazy and went to Build A Bear to make a friend.  M.J. made Rudolph and he helped make me the Grinch.
First we had to pick a friend. Which is hard since they are all so cute.

Then we met the nicest Employee named Thomas! Who really made the whole visit just magical. Thomas was engaging with the kids and really got into his role. M.J. really enjoyed making his new friend. 

In order to make your stuffed animal come to life there is a whole dance you have to do while stuffing them and giving them a heart.

 

Even the biggest kid gets a tickle out of the giggles and laughs coming from the kids.

 

They have seasonal stuffed animals as well as just regular bears,and a few others.  They even have a couple of animals for charity. 

 

 

After you make your friend you can fluff them and then dress them in clothes and accessories you can buy. Everything there is so adorable.

 

You even get a birth certificate for your new friend!

 

The whole experience is a memorable one.

Things like this make it priceless!!!!!

 

The Holiday Season has Offically Start !!!!!!!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

After you have added a

 

 

This year when you sit down with your family

 

 

I know you will

But please please please don't forget to

For all her/his hard work!!!!!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Santa Claus Post Marks 2

More Zip Codes For your Holiday Cards.

Christmas FL 32709
North Pole AK 99075
Santa Claus IN 47579
Bethlehem PA 1816
Noel Mo 64854

For Complete post see Santa Claus Post Mark posted earlier.

 

Ohhhh The Best Ever Quickie.... MMMM

Candy Bar Pie
1 Oreo Pie Crust/ Shell
1 8oz Cream Cheese
1 Tub Whip Cream
6 Full size Butter Finger Candy Bars smashed to crumbs
Kiss candies  to decorate

Beat together until smooth the Cream cheese and  whip cream . Hand stir in the Butter Finger Crumbs. chill for at least four hours. Best if left over night. Decorate with kisses.

The easiest pie to make in the fastest time! Always the first one gone at any gathering. Never have had a left over crumb!!!!!

Got FaceBook?

 Do you have a Facebook? Will you have a few seconds on Thanksgiving and during the Holiday Season? Duracell the copper top people have made it really cool to be Charitable!Starting Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22) and through Dec. 20, our Facebook fans will have an opportunity to not only win the hottest Holiday toys. How cool! But that is not the awesome part.The awesome part is for every entry received, they will donate a Duracell battery to Toys for Tots to help power a toy for kids in need. It’s a fun, easy way for you to help give back this holiday season!

All you have to do is comment RSVP  and come back daily starting on Nov. 22 for a chance to win and be charitable!

Santa Claus Post Marks

I saw this a few years ago and did this for Little Beast From Santa when Big Big was stationed in Korea.

You can have letters and cards Post marked from Santa Claus In.  They have this really cool picture cancellation stamp on them.  It's a neat idea for holiday cards, letters from Santa, Family newsletters, or just a Christmas fun letter to your Soldier overseas.

- Allow a 2x4-inch space near the stamp for the Santa postmark;
- Add postage stamps to your cards or letters before bringing them to the post office;
-The special Santa postmark is only available in December;
- Limit your requests for the Santa postmarks to 50 picture postmarks (hand cancellations) per person per day.
-Must be get to the postmaster at IN by the 15th of Dec

If you want to have the Santa Claus Post Office add a picture postmark and then send your holiday mail  to your recipients, package all your cards and letters -with postage stamps affixed-in a sturdy envelope or box, and mail to:

Santa Claus Postmark
Postmaster
Santa Claus Station
Santa Claus, IN 47579-9998

There Is An App For That

There is an App for almost any thing and everything these days and cooking Thanksgiving is no different.  Go to the App store and type in a key word such as "Roasting Turkey" or Thanksgiving food" and you come up with many many apps just for that! They will tell you how to cook the turkey of how many pounds for how long, be the timer and do many other things. They range in price from free on up.

Some Apps that I found on Itunes:
Time to Roast
Turkey Timer
Cooking Times
Is it Ready Yet
I Roast






This Blog Post loving dedicated to my hubby Beast.
 

Cranberry Sauce

You can't have Thanksgiving dinner without Cranberry sauce. Like it or hate it, you buy it or make it any because it is tradition.

Cranberry Sauce

1Package of Cranberries
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of orange juice
Optional add ins orange zest, raisins, currants, all spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, or blueberries

In a saucepan over medium heat stir dissolve sugar and orange juice.

Stir in the cranberries and cook until they pop 10 -15 minutes. This would be the time you would add in the optional ingredients.

Remove from heat and let come down to room temp.and then chill in refrigerator. It thickens as it cool.
*Note it does not look like the jar stuff.

 

More Military Mailing dates

Holiday Dates for Military Mail

Calculated for December 25, 2012.

Addressed to				Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available Mail (SAM)3	Parcel Post® Service
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092				Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093				Nov. 30	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098				Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340				Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966				Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13

Mailing Dates for Military Mail for the Holidays

Holiday Dates for Military Mail

Calculated for December 25, 2012.

Addressed to	Express Mail® Military Service (EMMS)1	First-Class Mail® Service	Priority Mail® Service	Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL)2	Space Available Mail (SAM)3	Parcel Post® Service
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093	N/A	Dec. 3	Dec. 3	Nov. 30	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-098	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AA ZIP 340	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13
APO/FPO/DPO AP ZIPs 962-966	Dec. 17	Dec. 10	Dec. 10	Dec. 3	Nov. 26	Nov. 13

10 Things Every Woman Should Have

10 Things I Think Every Woman Should Have
1.  A little black dress!  Every girl needs a black dress you can add accessories to and change the look of. 
2. 3 Pairs of fantastic shoes!
     1 pair of great flats.
     1 pair of universal business height  heels.
     1 pair that you wear with number 9.
3.  A killer chicken recipe. Nonni says " the way to a man's heart is threw his stomach." Lets face it we all have to :)
4.   A sense of Humor.  Ugh this is very important. Humor gets you threw the horrible times for example Deployment ok enough said there.
5.  A good friend.  One you can call in the middle of the night, who understands why you just hate her, one who laughs with you, crys with you and is willing go on a road trip it anywhere!!!!!
6.  A signature perfume." The scent of her lingers. "  Always use perfume as it is the purest form and it lingers on him and clothes, sheets etc. for hours. LOL.
7. One great love of a lifetime.People have written rules of attraction, rules of engagement, none of that matters with that one great love of a lifetime.
8. One great piece of jewelery. Ummm yeah no not your engagement ring. Whether it is a Necklace, pin, or ring, one statement piece.
9.  Perfect set of PJ's!!! 2 sets
      1 comfy pair
       1 that makes YOU feel like the sexiest person on the planet.  Ohhhh yeah don't forget the shoes from number 2!
10.  Mascara!!!! It makes your eyes pop. If it is the only thing you put on it is the one thing that instant wakes your look up.

Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup (you can get Low Fat to make it healthy)
1 Package Fresh sliced Mushrooms
1Small Bottle of Lowfat Ranch Dressing
2 Family size Frozen Green Beans ( cook green beans as directed on package)
1 Cup of Cheddar Cheese ( Yep they have low fat cheese to)
1 Large Can of Fried Onions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

In a large bowl combine soup, mushrooms, ranch,and a 1/4 of the onions and green beans and mix with wooden spoon.

Put ingredients into a baking dish. Cover. Bake for about 40 minutes or until bubbly. Cover with cheese and Onions and Bake Until onions are golden brown.

 

Beast Potatoes

Beast Potatoes

2 Bags Frozen cauliflower
Butter  or Margarine to taste
Salt and or Pepper optional

In a pot boil water and put cauliflower in.Simmer until soft. Remove and Drain. Smash as if it were a potato. Add butter and salt if desired.

This is a nice dish because you can add anything you would add to your potato to it, for a special occasion. For example you could add Fat Free Sour Cream, Turkey Bacon Crumbles, Dry Ranch Dressing ohhh the list is endless.

 

When Alone In The World With Your Turkey

Whether you are a nervous newly wed or a seasoned wife cooking a turkey can sometimes be tricky. You feel as if you are alone in the world, just you and the darn turkey and your guests will be arriving soon. At some point we all need help from a friend.  The friendly folks at ButterBall man a help line to talk you through all types of turkey trauma. From now until December 24 someone is there to smooth your ruffled feathers and get you back to roasting the perfect bird in no time. These friendly people have been leaning a helping hand every Holiday season since 1981.

1-800-BUTTERBALL

Make Ahead Dishes For Thanksgiving

Lets face it, it just makes life easier to make dishes ahead time for a big dinner. Here are some recipes!

 

 

Creamy Ranch Potatoes

 

1  -5 pound bag of Baking Potatoes

1-8ounce package of cream cheese

1 dry package of Ranch Salad Dressing

1/2 cup butter soften

2- cups of sour cream

 

Bake potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour or until soft.

 

scoop potatoes out of the skins into a Large mixing bowl and mash.  Add cream cheese, ranch, butter, and sour cream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nanna's Sweet Potato Casserole

 

Yams/Sweet Potatoes as many as you think you need

Stick of Butter as you like it

1 package Tiny Marshmallows

 

 

Smush yams with potato masher cutting butter up into TBS and adding it while mashing.Add 1/2  the marshmallows and then bake at 350 degrees covered in tin foil until alittle firm add the rest on top bake until golden brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modern Twist On  Grandma Stuffing

2 Boxes of Chicken Stuffing

1 Green Pepper

1Onion

1 Tube of frozen breakfast sausage thawed

1/4 cup of a finely chopped walnuts

1 cup broth

Brown the sausage. Saute' the pepper onion, and,celery until soft. Do not drain. Put  stuffing, sausage, veggies,  and walnuts in a mixing bowl add broth to moisten. Put mixture in a Baking dish and bake @ 350 degree until top is golden brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twas the Week Before Thanksgiving

Twas the week before Thanksgiving and all threw the house. All the mixing bowls are stirring. I've looked all over,but where is my spouse?
Oh yeah, In the Army of course. They get him first.

MJ and Kathryn are playing the Wii.
I have at least 20 places to be.
I'm stuck here waiting for PeaPod, to make a delivery.

I'm dressed all in sweats. Waiting to see, the long night unfold before me.

When what before my wondering eyes should appear!
 The PeaPod driver in all his gear.

Out of the truck he flew like a flash.

Gathering our groceries so lively and quick.
I knew by his name tag, his name was not Nick.

Sign here he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!

 

Today is the Annual Great American Smokeout

Today is the Annual Great American Smokeout. One of the hardest thing you'll do, for the best cause!!!!  You are always worth it!

 

 

 

Stuff The Bus

On the way to school on Friday,MJ was talking about all the damage the Storm Sandy had done, all the houses that he saw on the News "that were broken and the sad people."

I decided it was a good idea to take this and turn this into a teaching moment. One of our local radio stations were hosting an event called Stuff The Bus, the idea behind the event is the community comes together to donate items to fill the bus and the bus load is then donated to food pantries. Items such as canned goods, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, non perishable groceries are what they were looking for.

 So bright and early Saturday morning MJ and I went out so he could buy a few items for this event.  I let him do the shopping for the items, and check them out, and bring them to donate.

 

 

The volunteers who donate their time are just awesome!

 

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thanksgiving the Forgotten Holiday

Some where between the candy rush of Halloween and the jiggle bells and packed malls of Christmas we forgot about Thanksgiving. This year the first Holiday Season TV ad came out a week before the first piece of Halloween candy ever fell in a child's bag on October 31. I just happened to be in the Mall on November 1, it looks like a Christmas wonderland. The decorations adorn the mall already!

I remember Thanksgiving as a big Family event.  The women  of my family spent all week cooking special recipes you never say any other time of the year. Thanksgiving day  started off with wonderful smells drifting from the kitchen. We watched the Macy day Parade. At the end, Santa without fail would come every year. Santa kicked off the Christmas Season. You didn't see or hear of anything Christmas before that.No matter how many family and friends and kids there were we all had dinner together and there was always room for that last add in or two or three.  No one left to go to a pre sale or to the movies. Nothing was open on Thanksgiving day. If you forgot to buy something ugh... Let's face it you were talked about until Christmas, and you prayed someone screwed up by then. LOL.

In recent years Thanksgiving doesn't have the same meaning. It seems to be glanced over, like a speed up, to Black Friday. Next time you watch TV or go to shopping look no one even mentions Thanksgiving.  It has become the forgotten Holiday.

 

 

Gas Wait Wait Wait Gas

Isn't it funny how until we start running out of something we take it for granted.I have a friend who has an app on his phone called Gas Buddy and two weeks ago gas was dirt cheap in Toledo Ohio. This he was compelled to tweet about. Road Trip umm no I'll pass. Not that I don't like Ohio. I like it there just there just fine. In fact our cat Ohwyio is actually a native Ohio, so is my hubby and his Family. But to go for gas there for us is not just economical no matter how cheap. 

 Last night with a sleepy child and a car loaded with groceries and melting ice cream only to pull in to gas station after gas station to find out they were out of gas!!!! Sorry no gas! Were they joking?! No, they serious. Sandy, left parts of NYC, Staten Island and Long Isand without gas, food, and electric and the gas crisis was branching to Dutchess County NY.  I finally found a gas station that had gas, only to wait in a LONG line.  After grocery shopping and hunting for a gas station that had gas a line was the last thing I wanted to wait in. I kept telling myself at least I found gas.

On Facebook today people are posting which gas stations had gas, lines and which were out. It is so heart warming see people pulling together and helping each other. In all that has been wrong with how politicians have handled Sandy it is wonderful to see average citizen coming together and handling things.

Fool Proof Pumpkin Seeds

1. Put pumpkins seeds in a strainer and rinse them clean of any pumpkin gook. ( Gook is a gourmet Italian cooking word it means icky cold orange stuff, very technical here LOL)
2.  In a Medium size sauce pot. Bring about 2 and a half almost 3 cups to a boil and put about 1tablespoon maybe more or less according to your taste for salt. Ok so you are going to simmer this for 10 minutes.
3. Drain the seeds into a colander and pat dry. Don't pat all the moisture out, you want a little bit.
4. Spread on a baking sheet drizzle with about a half teaspoon of olive oil.

 

Come To The Dark Side....

All Summer all I have heard is the ominous statement of " come to the dark side."  I started to think I was Princess Laya Star Wars and had married Darth Vador not a bad idea if your a Trekie but I'm not.  I'm just a girl who LOVED and Android.  I was in love with my phone.  My phone knew all my friends,  kept me on schedule, kept me entertained, kept my lists, my pictures, my messages, helped me shop, ohhhh yes and made calls.  My husband who might I add is a talented Recovery Spec. for the Army. ( impressive title right), sigh in Kathleen speak he is capable of driving a big black thingy. Anyway hubby circle around like a buzzard and dying prey or a tow truck driver when your car is finally paid for and is starting to break down every 100 miles.

A little background on this: Hubby's android had died earlier and he had gotten an IPhone which he now thought was AMAZING, and I should have one.  Draw back to his plan I LOVED my  Android.He decided he would just wear me down or wait until my Android finally died, either way I would "come to the dark side."

Every time hubby mentioned giving me an IPhone yet another piece would fall off the Android or it would stop doing something or not connect right or just blink. UGH. Each time it would hiccup he would circle like a mad tow truck driver, with a hope this time I would give in. It became a battle of the wills.  My Android was held together with a Capt. America Sticker I had been given by my son.  It was a joke in my family who was going to last longer.

Finally one dark, gloomy, rainy, day it happened my beloved Android worked no more. It had taken it's last charge, sometime during the night my Android slip without a beep into slumber never to awake again. Tower Truck man finally got his way. I had to come to the dark side. No I was by all means not ready, but I had to go. Coming in for the kill. When my husband gets out of the Army he should consider a career in repossession. (Hook the car and get out of there)  Wasting not a heart beat he was at the store buying me the IPhone of HIS dreams, my new phone. Like a proud Dad he bought all the gadgets that go with it.

I do have to say IPhone owners are like a cult. They are big into their phones and app's.  If you don't love the IPhone they will give you at least a 10 minute lecture on why you should and what app's you should have. As for App's Keyring and Pandora seem to be the two app's always mentioned.

All I can say is the IPhone is growing on me.  RIP my droid the big bad beast made me get an I phone you will always be missed.

Family Fun in the pumpkin patch

Pumpkin picking is another Fall event I love!  I love it so much that yes even though we do it usually at the same farm as apple picking I usually do it on a day all by it self. Ok truth told, I need to do these events on different days for all the energy involved.  Most people go to the store look in a cardboard bin pick a pumpkin from the top and are done. Not us! No certainly not. I need to have a fresh pumpkin from the farm. You know the whole experience, complete with coming home with donuts and cider or it just leaves me flat like Christmas in Florida.

MJ has a great time picking pumpkins and finding "the right pumpkin." It reminds me of the "Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" which thanks to the magic of Itunes we watched that night!

MeadowBrooke is in Wappingers and is the cutest place not to big not to small just right as Mama Bear would say. 

 

Donna Davies At Sleepy Hollow Book Signing

My son met Donna Davies!!!! He was able to get her to sign her book " Sleepy Hollow and the Road You'd Better NOT Follow." Donna Davies was kind enough to take a moment out of her busy book signing and take picture with M.J. Meeting her touched M.J. so much because each time he sees her signature in "just for him."

 

"Sleepy Hollow and the Road You'd Better Follow" is an adorable children's story about the main characters from the legend but told in such a way to keep a child's attention without being to frightening with a modern twist.

 

Sleepy Hollow

M.J. as a treat one night watched "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" the Disney cartoon.  MJ kept talking about Sleepy Hollow and going to see where the famous chase took place. Just by luck we only live 45 minutes from Sleepy Hollow/ Tarry Town.It is a charming, ok ok it does lend itself to being Spooky just look at the road getting there. This is Route 9 headed south about 3 o'clock. Notice how desolate it is!!!!

 

Spooky Hollow cemetery is the final resting place of many people not just Washington Irving.

 

We were able to go down the night they had their block party and parade. MJ had a great time.  Sleepy Hallow has some of the world's nicest cops! They always have time to help a tourist! Thank you Vinny for suggesting Fleetwood Pizza!  What a great pizza!Here is a great tourist tip if you need a good place to eat, ask a cop!Never has failed me yet!

 

 

 

The block party was nice, it had a small town flavor to it.  I was a tad disappointed with Sleepy Hollow having been there a years ago, there were few decorations and no music floating threw out the town.I'm not sure if it was the rain that put a damper on it or the economy this year.

 

 

MJ at the block party dancing

MJ was the GodFather for the blockparty.

 

For M.J. being able to be there made the story come alive even if it is only a story.

 

It is a Story Right !?!

 

 

 

Fall Apples

Fall doesn't come with the first day of school. Fall comes when the first crisp, cool night settles in across the Hudson Valley, after the long hot summer finally lets go.  This is when I start to anticipate all the Season brings with it.  All the Festivals, the apples the pumpkins, the smells, the tastes, the activities and the difference in the sun shine, cooler temperature, and the Holidays are about truly spending time with your family. Fall comes in late September and moves in slowly usually without much notice, until bam you are in the midst of Fall. MMMM lovely luscious Fall. 

New York produces some of the finest apples after all we are known as the Big Apple state. Every year I have been home in the Fall it has been tradition to go apple picking.

This year due to a storm in the Spring the apple crop in Dutchess County suffered this season and was smaller than usual driving the prices higher.

We go every year to an adorable place called Meadowbrooke Farm in Wappingers Falls. They are small, clean, well maintained and really really do a nice job. They have an orchard, a store and a part like a petting zoo that has goats, chickens roaster, and a few rabbits.

M.J. had a blast picking the apples.  It made a nice fall outing.  He loved the chickens.  The Farmers Market carries local and organic produce, honey, syrup, homemade cider doughnuts, and cider.

 

Franken Storm Sandy

Franken Strom, Sandy which ever you chose to call the storm it is still a bad storm!  Stay safe, stay indoors and off the roads if you can. My best advice is spend time with your loved ones, plug in your electric devices while you still have electric, fill a few cooking pots with water and relax

Two links you might find helpful
 http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/radar.php?rid=ENX&product=NCR&overlay=11101111&loop=yes 
     https://login.nyalert.gov/Public/News/AllHazardNewsList.aspx?newsType=ALERT

Back To School Shopping 3

CONCLUSION
I think next year will shop for our son's clothes on line. His sneakers at the store. School supplies at the stores.  I guess there is something to be said for doing things the old way and doing things the modern way. You just have to find what works for you. 

I can't believe Summer is over and another School year is getting ready to begin. Wow did summer go by fast.

Back To School Shopping Test Part II

This is the second part in a two part post about a back to school shopping test that I did.  Our son's school gives you the supply list for the next school year in June. After I hunt it down because I put it in a secure spot that I moved about ten times. After all I am "paper keeper" in our house. I am the keeper of lists, memos, newsletters, impotant paper to include mail, an any other piece of paper that comes into the home.(This also includes yellow post it shoved in ACU pockets that read bring home MILK which I get to promptly file in the circular file.)
List located I sit in front of the computer with my credit card, and my coffee in hand. I have high hopes of blissfully sipping coffee and getting everything on this list all in one place. As I really look at this this I am shock at what they now ask for! Ear buds for Ipads! Dry Erase Markers! What happened to the good old crayons and pencils. This list even tells you which name brand of pencil. Since when did teachers get so picky about Brand names of pencils!
To get the list complete I had to go to many stores on the computer which meant many shipping charges. I used a big superstore first which didn't have the prices that their store did.  They were out of many many many items. which was sad.
My Observation: You do not get the prices you do at the stores. The shipping charges can add up.  97 cent shipping is only on certain objects. Free shipping is on nothing  I need.  One stop shopping is not going to happen

Back to School Shopping Test Part 1

Every parent knows the dreaded task of sending your child back to school!  This year I am running a test.  Is it easier to shop at the mall or on line for school supplies? I split my list into two parts, clothes and sneakers, that I would shop for at the mall and School supply list that I wouls shop for on line.
The first day of the test was off to the Mall with our 6 year old and our Mother's helper to find clothes and sneakers for back to school. I was armed with coupons that had collected from online and various magazines.
Our first stop was Famous Footwear.  They still measure your child's foot and believe me give you great one on one customer service. Honestly I don't think I could get this kind of human service online.
We no sooner got into Abercombie when our son was hungry and becoming increasingly loud about the fact he was hungry.  Ugh the whole world has to stop and find My lovely son something to eat or you can't shop.
We continue our shopping spree at the Children's Place, JC Penny, Build a Bear,Bath and Body, and Target. 
After a long long day of shopping home was such a welcome sight!!!!!

My Observations:  I  did save the shipping charges.  Some of the online coupons didn't work and didn't get honored.  One lesson learned was the last place little boys want to be on a sunny day in August is the mall.

Who's Your Daddy ????

Only in New York City could you see this!An RV for testing DNA!! Who's Your Daddy is a Brown and White RV owned and driven by Jared Rosenthal which he operates for Health Street Clinics. The reason this RV is so shockingly special is a place where Father and Children can get their DNA tested.
I'm use to seeing the Ice cream truck,Fed Ex, and UPS come to my neighborhood but a DNA RV? I'm not sure how I feel about this.  Is this a sign of the times we live in? Do we really need a mobile DNA Unit to come to a neighborhood near you?

Before Summer Ends Why don't You...

Before Summer Slips away to Fall.  Why don't you do a few of these things before summer runs out of time!
1.  Catch a jar of Fireflies.
2.  Go to the Stadium and watch a baseball game.
3.  Eat at an open air cafe.
4.  Make a pitcher of homemade lemonade.
5.  Hike around a lake or a pond.
6.  Have a picnic.
7.  Take a long bike ride and soak in the sunshine.
8.  Build a campfire and make smores.
9.  Go swimming.
10  Play a good old fashion game outside like kickball, tag, kick the can or another childhood favorite.
11. Camp out with your kids in the backyard or the living room.

A Flavor Boost

Your supposed to drink water to stay healthy.  For me drinking plain water can get boring.  I like flavor in my water but I'm not a big fan of the additives some of the bottles and packets have.  I was browsing in Target the other day when I saw the coolest water pitcher. It is just called Pitcher sku #9200060238.It was 7.99.

It is made of plastic.  The middle cylinder comes out and you can load it with fruit of your choice to make fruit flavored water. The juices and water mix there the slats but the pulp and seeds never get out into the water.  When you are done you just empty the middle part. 

Some fruits we have used:
Lemon
Lime
Strawberries
Peaches
Oranges
Watermelon
Mangoes
Raspberries
Pineapple
Blackberries
Blueberries
Melons
A neat trick is to use frozen fruit as ice cubes in the water.

Spoil Yourself While he is gone

When your Favorite Soldier goes away whether it be for training or deployment, getting used to a new routine without him or her is difficult.  I  sneak in little presents in the coming days or weeks ( depending the length).  This way you are looking forward to something and not just counting the days until Your Favorite Soldier comes home again.

Some Suggestions for presents to add in to your day while your Favorite Soldier is a away

1.  Go to a nice Salon and get your hair cut.
2.  Start a workout routine.  Start doing that DVD ya bought with such good intentions but never took out of the clear wrapper.
3.  Have Spa night with your girlfriends.
4.  Have a chick flick night and invite a few girls over.
5.  Host dinner at your house and instead of you cooking have everyone bring a dish.  Have fun with this one.  You can pick countries, or best dish from childhood, there are so many ways to go with this.
6. Take a class you have been dying to take.
7.  Get a mani and or pedi
8.Take a hundred dollars to the mall and find little luxuries to spend it on, ie bubble bath, candles, makeup...
9.  Go for a hike.
10.  Have a slumber party with your girlfriends.  Let your hair down, have fun, play games, laugh!
 

While My Hubby was gone I Slept With Spiderman

While their Soldier hubbies are gone some women sleep alone, some women sleep with dogs, others sleep with a Jody.  Me, I'm more of the sleep alone in the center of the bed type of girl.  Until Sunday morning when the unthinkable happened!  Spider man had come into my room for a morning visit. As I lazily woke from dreamland because one of the dogs had to be let outside, I spotted him.  Spider man was big, I mean really big, big enough that I could tell he was fuzzy.  I screamed in horror at the sight of this creature. There was one problem with this situation at hand, hubby isn't home and isn't going to be home for a long while.  My husband is the big strong bug hunter in our house. I am scared of bugs!

I ran out of the room.  I figured I would regroup and make some coffee. With the coffee I could make a battle plan!  I used the time to call in a friend. When Janine came I showed her Spider man. We both went screaming out of the room.  That is one huge spider!  My husband does spider killing without all this fanfare.  I guess that is why I'm his princess and he is my knight in shining armour. 

Janine and I decided to get hubbies' extra combat boot and nail the spider. Spider man was bigger than a 50 cent piece. I threw the boot at him.  Spider man raised up his to front arms as if he was going to try and fright this big boot off.  Spider man was a little bit of a feisty one!  After a few attempts of boot throwing Spider man became bored with us and ran off with what was left with his legs.  I'm afraid he has taken up residency under my heater. I'm kind of creeped out by the thought of Spider man recovering and training and  doing P90x  or Insanity. Waiting for his next chance to come visit me to show me.
I live in the woods.  I like to keep the woods and the creatures where they belong outside, not in my bed.I only like one animal in there and he :) happens to be my hubby.

Honestly if this is the only time Murphy's Law will hit I'm ok with it.  I would like this time away from each other go smoothly, with no huge problems! As things have gone in the past car accidents, broken water pipes, moves and much, much, more, this is minor.
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He Had Me At Hello!!!!

It was love at first sight. Except my love was being worn by another. I never forgot it  even though it belonged to another.Years later I caught a glimpse of my love again this time I was determined not to let it get away. From a picture I was able to track down the ring! I was so excited!!!! It is called Hidden Message, and the maker is yoonjunyun.  Link below.

The ring itself is a simple silver or gold band.  It is what is inside that makes it stand out from all the rest.  The inner part of the ring has hidden raised letters that leaves a message imprinted on the skin of your finger. The messages you can get are always, marry me, and a hear. The craftsmanship on the ring is commonly outstanding.I love my ring. I think the concept of it is fresh, new, and edgy. 

The making of the ring was inspired by a Korean song about a suntan mark a man found on his finger after he broke up with his girlfriend and took his ring off.  I can relate to this I only take my wedding ring off to shower and I have tan lines that at this point I think might be permanent.

I have to mention the box the ring comes in.  The box is truly a work of art. The ring comes tightly fitted in the center of a plexi box.  The attention to detail is shown threw every aspect of this product down to the box.

www.yoonjungyun.com

This is an independent review. I was in noway paid or gifted for my review.