Thursday Thirteen #35

I had a difficult time decide what I wanted to do with today's Thursday Thirteen, so I got a littel help from Random.org.






Random playing card shuffler came up with the three of clubs, so I am going to talk about clubs today!

1.

My husband plays golf, so he has golf clubs, and those things sure are expensive!

2. I used to belong to a club called Kingwood Area Mothers of Multiples, that is, until I moved to the other side of town 3 years ago. I left lots of fun and friendship behind.

3. People go to clubs to dance or to watch other people dance, if you know what I mean.

4. I sometimes purchase books through Doubleday Book Club.

5. Once before, I was a member of the Columbia House Music Club, but I rarely listen to music anymore except in the car. Even then, it’s usually on talk radio.

6. My daughter likes to play Club Penguin.

7. My dad was a member of the Lions Club, a service organization.

8. And then there are Club Med vacations.

9. There’s a movie called Fight Club from 1999.

10. For the “adventurous,” there’s the Mile High Club.

11. The Breakfast Club is one of my favorite movies (from 1985).

12. Oprah has her own book club.

13. Then, there is a club. The weapon is also known as cudgel, baton, truncheon, night stick, and bludgeon Please visit thursdaythirteen.com for more lists of thirteens.

July Organizing Round-Up

What's under your bathroom sink? The challenge this month at I'm an Organizing Junkie was to organize under our bathroom sinks. I took this challenge and ran with it, so to speak! I did the cabinets under all of the sinks, the cabinets above the sinks, and my pitiful makeup drawer. I stopped just short of painting the bathroom cabinets. Oh, why did I stop?



OrgJunkie (yes, we're on a nickname basis because we are kindred spirits-she just does it better!) suggests we remove, sort, purge, organize (like items with like items), and containerize. Since I'm on a budget, all of my containers don't match, but it still works for me!

Digression: It took me longer to post this than it did to do all the organizing! Okay, not really, but uploading and formatting photos in a blogger post is no easy task, especially when you delete an entire post when you're actually only trying to delete one photo from the post.

Without further ado, before photos on the left, after on the right (if I did this correctly).

This is my side under the sink:

This is my husband's side under the sink:

This is my husband's side above the sink:

This is my side above the sink:

This is my embarrassing makeup drawer. I love the new drawer soooo much! I got a great compartmetalized, acrylic organizer at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, one of my favorite stores. I vow never to let it get in such a disorganized array again. With my new container, it will be a breeze!

This is the kids' bathroom under the sink. They better keep it this way! (Well, I know it won't, but a girl can dream!)

This is my half bath.

This is the one that I can't find the before photo. I know I took one, but maybe I forgot, or maybe I deleted it before I actually uploaded it. I'm happy to say that this cabinet has been organized for a couple of weeks, and it still looks like this! Goodness knows no one besides me would every get a new roll of toilet paper out or (goodness!) the cleaning supplies.

I think the way that I have things now is not only neater, but makes more sense. All of my first aid is together, all the cleaning supplies, all the fingernail/manicure stuff, and so on. I'm glad this was a summer task so I could really dig in and get it done. Thanks, OrgJunkie for this terrific challenge!

We Did It!

No, not THAT "it." This is a family blog! I have kids looking over my shoulder all the time!

BTW, my twins came home last night. They've been in Nebraska for 15 days. I missed them so much, but at least they could call me, unlike when they just go stay at their dad's. They can't call me from there because their step-mom won't let them take their cell phones. Their grandmother (his mom) didn't mind. The story of getting them home is another post altogether. But I'm sure glad they're home safe and sound.

So, speaking of cell phones, the whole point of my post (remember, I forget! tee hee) is we GOT RID OF OUR LAND LINE. I've been struggling with the decision for a couple of months since my husband first mentioned it.

I had to face facts, though. No one we really wanted to talk to ever called the land line! And we are saving $50 a month. Yes, that's how much it costs to have a phone here, and that's just a regular phone line with call waiting.

How will we ever communicate now? Well, in a household of six - where all six of us have cell phones, [and a great family plan from Verizon that includes a discount through my husband's employer], we'll do just fine without it. It's actually kind of freeing. I can conveniently leave my phone upstairs while I'm on the computer downstairs, and ... no interruptions! No, I would never do that! {chuckle}

And yes, it's necessary for all of us to have cell phones. It is the 21st century, after all. Besides, with both of us working, the 19 year old moving back here from college (and finally working and enrolling in community college), the 15 year old involved in Color Guard, the 12 year old (twins) involved in sports, band, scouts, etc. It's the only way we can keep up with each other!

So, goodbye land line. Hello $50 a month! We'll have to use it on gas now!

Heads or Tails

Thank you, Skittles, our lovely hostess for Head or Tails. You can visit the HoT homepage to see more participants.

Today' prompt is "Doctor."

I thought about writing about how I didn't go to the doctor when I sprained my ankle last week, or about the time my twins had to go to the doctor to have tubes put in their ears, or even how we had such a hard time dealing with the doctor when my father passed away. But the only thing that came into my head over and over was this:

Doctor Doctor give me the news
I've got a bad case of lovin' you
No pills' gonna cure my ill
I gotta bad case of lovin' you

Lyrics from Robert Palmer's "Bad Case of Loving You." So, here it is!

Please stay awhile and visit my giveaways!

Bloggy Giveaways Carnival

I'm so excited to be participating in the quarterly Bloggy Giveaways Carnival! Click the link to go to the main site to find tons of bloggy giveaway goodness. Who doesn't like to win? I know I do!

I love to scrapbook, and I've just started making cards and learning how to stamp, so that is how I decided what I wanted to give away. If you know any good links for me, feel free to leave them in your comments. And please come back and visit some of my regular posts! Here's the prize:


1. A set of Creative Imaginations Rubber Stamps (Martin Brush Lowercase Alphabet. about 3/4 inch each)


2. DCWV Glitter Notecards, set of five cards with envelopes
3. Memories Premium Dye Inkpad, blue








I can't win my own prize, but you can! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The carnival ends August 1 at which time random.org will help me choose a winner.

If you're not a blogger, please leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

For an extra entry you can 1) stumble this post by clicking the stumble it button at the end, or 2) subscribe to my feed in your favorite reader. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each of your entries.

This is open to US residents. Good luck!


While you're surfing giveaways, here's another one for you! Don't forget to leave a comment here first.
Bath Fizzies Gift Set giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered. Winner announced tomorrow!

More Goodies at the Giveaway

Bloggy Giveaways is having a carnival, and there are hundreds of prizes to be won out there! Most of the prizes only require that you leave a comment to be entered, but there are a few who want you to jump through hoops to enter their giveaway. My advice is... don't. I'm just saying. Do you really want to visit three or four sites, all the while taking notes on what you've seen, to be entered in someone's drawing? Not me.

I don't mind subscribing to a blog if it looks interesting. And I have tagged a few as faves in technorati, and I've stumbled a few. Even if I don't win, though, I will probably go back and read those blogs, and that's really the point of the whole giveaway concept.

As you may know, I have a giveaway [stamps, notecards, ink pad] as well as a review and giveaway (bath fizzies). And I'd love to win all the bloggy giveaways I've entered, but I'm willing to share the love.

I've already blogged about a few prizes that I thought were special [click here], and I'll share a few more with you because I think my bloggy friends would like them, too.

Stamping Everything with Cheryl is giving away some premade scrapbook pages.

A Whisper of Grace has cute scrapbook supplies to give away.

Remembering the Everyday Blessings has a $20 Target card up for grabs.

The Homeschool Classroom has two prizes - $25 to Amazon and $10 to Starbucks.

Mom of 2 Dancers also has a gift card - $50 to Target.

A Mommy Story is giving away a Nintendo DS Lite.

Homemade Blessings has great summer scrapbooking supplies and chocolate!

Jenn Rambles On has some great stamping goodies to give away.

There are almost 500 giveaways posted right now, and I'm sure there will be more. Needless to say, I haven't gotten to all of them, but I have all week! Have fun!

P. S. I promise to write about something else besides giveaways soon!

Win Fabulous Prizes!

There's a Bloggy Giveaway Carnival going on right now. I've already been through many (123) of the posts, and there's a few I wanted to share with you in case you don't have time to go through all of them. I'm sharing the bloogy goodness with all of you (not cuz I don't want to win, but cuz I love ya)!


An Iowa Mom is giving away a $50 gift card to Target. PLEASE mention in your comments that Forgetfulone sent you.

We are THAT Family is giving away a tinkerbell mp3 player and a spongebob mp3 player and digital camera to two lucky winners.

Musings of a Housewife is giving away a cool Lands End backpack!

Penisieve is giving away a prize a day!

Mommy of 3 is giving away a $50 gift card. You can enter once a day till August 3rd.

Gabi's World has a $25 GC to eBay. You can enter once a day.

Mommin it Up has a $25 giftcard to CVS pharmacy.

Lady Why has a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card up for grabs.

Weary Parent is giving away school supplies.

Annie's Eyes is giving away an ipod shuffle and a Target gift card. Enter each day.

Dad Speed is giving away a heated seat back massager.

Mom Giveaways has a $50 Amazon gift card to give away.

And don't "forget," Forgetfulone (yours truly) is giving away stamps and notecards and bath fizzies!

Tell 'em Forgetfulone sent you!

BlogHop 08 Giveaway Winner

The BlogHop 08 Party was such fun! I hosted a candle giveaway, and I was able to visit so many new blogs. Thanks for hosting the party, Pensieve. Random.org has chosen a winner for me and my little giveaway.

The winner is Scrapping Servant! Congratulations!

Sunday Scrappin'

Amy at Tiny Blessings is our charming hostess for Sunday Scrappin'. She invites paper crafters of all kinds, traditional scrapbookers, and digital scrapbookers to join us each week as we display our ta-da's and commit to our to-do's. She even offers an optional challenge where the prize is the satisfaction of a job well done.

Wow! What a busy week! I was able to accomplish so much more than usual because my oldest step-daughter started working and my 12 year old twins are out of state visiting one of their grandmothers. The 15 year old step-daughter spends a lot of time on facebook or at the movies, and hubby has to work, so I had a lot of "alone" time, and I didn't waste it!

Ta-da's

8 - Count them! - 8 scrapbook pages completed. 3 of them are double layouts (6 pages) plus 2 single page layouts. Admittedly, the 2 single page layouts were completed in "get her done" mode, but still... [btw, there was a glare when I took photos of my last two pages... bummer!] I also completed a card (you'll see in a minute).

I ordered prints (from Webshots, which I love) of my Disney trip from March and my Arizona trip from June. I can't wait to start on those!

I also purchased an Arizona "title" on ebay and shopped for some adhesives, vellum, and Las Vegas stickers.

I did some research on purchasing the Cricut, and I have a plan that is going to allow me to get it sooner than I thought.

Chrissy - a fellow Sunday Scrapper and awesome card-maker, helped me so much this week. We "talked" about stamping, adhesives, the cricut, Stickles, and so much more. She gave me some encouragement to try new things. Thanks, Chrissy.

Last, I took an ordinary shoebox and covered it with scrapbook paper, so now it is a pretty box I'm using to hold onto scraps, stickers I'm bored with, etc.

There was no sketch challenge at my favorite site, 52 sketches. She had complications with her pregnancy, and things didn't go well. Please pray for Julie. Sketches and scrapbooking must take a back seat to the other things she is dealing with right now.

To-do's

There is no way I could top this week in what I was able to do, but I will...

• Complete at least 4 pages (2 double layouts).


• Find more Disney papers and Arizona embellishments.


• Organize my photos once they come in.


• Attempt to complete the challenges at Sunday Scrappin' and 52 Sketches (whenever she is able to post one again.)
  

Challenge

I did it! RAOK. (random act of kindness) I made a card for a friend I haven't seen in about two years. I love and miss her. She was like a second mom until she retired and moved out to the country. Email is about the only way I get to communicate with her.

This week's challenge is... play in the grass! Scrap photos of someone playing in the yard... use grassy paper... make a card involving something in your yard (a BBQ?).... make a green fringed border that looks like grass... you get the idea. Have fun with it!

Won't you join us for Sunday Scrappin'?

Solace

Where do you find solace? That's the topic over at Sunday Scribblings this week. Click the link to meet some terrific writers and their take on the topic.

I've had a hard time trying to decide where I find comfort. As a believer, I know the "right" answer should be in His Word or in prayer (which I do). But I am not spiritually "there" yet enough to call it solace, although I try. I guess I'm too much of a control freak!

I find comfort in reading books, writing, scrapbooking, even in cleaning and organizing, and a hot bath usually provides much needed comfort. But not complete solace. And this is different from my happy place - which is on a relatively private beach in Cozumel in the shade of a palm tree with a book, a cold drink, and someone I love nearby.

I find solace in my bedroom. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I go lie in bed. When I'm freezing (because my husband sets the temperature at Arctic levels), I crawl in bed. When I'm sad, or lonely, or angry, or confused, I curl up under the covers in my cozy, warm bed, hug one of my many pillows, and think. Occasionally, I take a nap, but more often than not, I just lie there... alone... in the comfort of soft sheets and fluffy pillows trying to detangle my thoughts. Solace is peace, both physical and emotional. And lying in my bed is the most likely place where I can achieve that peace.

This Giveaway is "the Bomb!" It's Bath Time!

I love to take a hot soak in the tub, read a book, unwind, and relax. It is a weekly ritual here at my house. The only thing that makes bath time better is a superior bath product to enhance the experience, and do I have a company for you to check out!


Beyond the Bomb is run by a mom-preneur who launched her company this past spring. Her products are hand made to order, and she strives to provide superior products and service.


From their site: "Bath Bombs are a popular spa product that after dropped into a tub of water fizz and dissolve away all while giving off a delicate aroma to relax you and relieve stress and muscle tension. "


Beyond the Bomb sent me this adorable gift. I anxiously awaited the package. I couldn't wait to get it open and use them. I big puffy red heart bath products! The large blue one was my favorite!


These products left my skin silky and smooth, but not oily, with no oily residue in the tub.

The fragrance is subtle, not overpowering.

The fizzy properties of the bombs are relaxing and soothing.

How about pampering yourself?
Beyond the Bomb has generously agreed to send one winner a gift consisting of four bath bombs (one large (9 oz.), one medium (6.3 oz.), one small (4 oz.), and one heart bomb).



How to enter:

1. Visit Beyond the Bomb, take a look around, then come back here to leave a comment on this post stating which product is your favorite.

2. This giveaway is open to US residents until 11:59 PM August 1 at which time a random number will be generated using random.org to select the lucky winner.

3. Want extra entries?
A. Subscribe to my feed in your favorite reader (button at top left of page)
B. Stumble this post (button at bottom of post).
C. Post this contest on your blog with a link back here.
You may earn up to three extra entries (four total). Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Good luck!
This giveaway is now closed. The winner will be announced no later than Sunday.

Friday's Feast

I couldn't pass up the chance to do this Texas-themed Friday's Feast brought to us by Texas Tanya.

Appetizer: When was the last time you had some bar-b-que?
We had barbecue burgers a week or so ago. I haven't been out to eat barbecue in a few weeks, though. Now I'm getting hungry!

Soup: How many pairs of cowboy boots do you own?
Just one that are actual "cowboy" boots, but I have a couple of pairs of ankle boots.

Salad: Finish this sentence: Mommas, don't let your babies
grow up to be cowboys! Willie finished that sentence for us a long time ago. Is there any other way to finish that sentence?

Main Course: Name a song that makes you think of Texas.
God blessed Texas. I love this song! My daughter marched in a parade as part of a dance team when she was five. And we used this for our finale performance when she was a cheerleader for her brother's football team two years ago. (They were the Texans.) Enjoy it! [side note - I forgive Little Texas for shooting most of this video in Dallas. And to all you non-Texans - most of us don't dress like cowboys or dance like this. But it's a cool song!]



Dessert: Cowboy hats - Black or White?
Ummmm.... brown! But no one I know wears one anymore.

Happy Friday, Y'all!

Friday Fill-ins

Please join us for Friday Fill-ins if you'd like! Cick here:

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you will drive you insane so that you'd be better off dead! Tee hee! Just kidding. We all know it makes us stronger.

2. If you're good at something, do it!

3. Why so glum, chum?

4. Something is out there, it's the world! Ready and waiting just for you!

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled "It Could Only Happen to Me." My step-daughter's sitcome would be titled "You Had to be There!"

6. Sitting on my back porch I see dull grass, a gas light, a grill, a few plants, but mostly fence and sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to scrapbooking and dinner with my husband, tomorrow my plans include visiting my step-son and his 9 month old twins, C and C, and delivering candle orders, and Sunday, I want to go to church, grocery shop, plan my week, and blog!

Happy Friday!

Please visit my current giveaways if you have a chance.

Bath Fizzies Gift Set giveaway
Pillar Candle Giveaway
Country Bob’s Sauce Giveaway

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the rain.

I'm thankful for God's promise not to destroy the Earth by flood.

I'm thankful for the sign of the rainbow.

And I'm thankful for Noah.

Visit other Thankful Thursday participants!

You can also visit my current giveaways!

Pillar Candle Giveaway

Country Bob’s Sauce Giveaway

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

I recently had the opportunity to try a product that was new to me, The Original Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.

I used the sauce on two appetizers and a meal, and I was quite pleased with the results.

First, I used a recipe that was included with my sauce to make a Trail Mix appetizer that I served at a party. My guests were extremely complimentary that the trail mix was warm and seasoned with a hearty flavor. I also used it as a coating on meatballs, and again, they were a hit!

My husband can be a picky man, but even he was pleased with the way our Country Bob's burgers turned out. It added just that extra tang needed to keep a meal from tasting bland. And it's so versatile that you can use it on hamburgers, chicken, steak, pork, snacks, or even vegetables. They have lots of great recipes to get your creative cooking juices flowing.

Head over to the website and sign up for a newsletter, coupons, and/or a FREE BOTTLE of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. You may even decide to order a bottle or two. They also carry Spicy All Purpose Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, and Seasoning Salt. Also, I just found out that many of my local Kroger stores carry Country Bob's!

They have a great fundraising program for schools or church groups, too. Private labels are even available for your group or corporate event. Needless to say, I'm a new fan!

What really impressed me most on their website was this image:

Christian owned and operated for 21 years!

HERE'S THE BEST PART! Country Bob's will give one lucky winner (US only, please) TWO bottles of The Original Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce AND a cookbook! Here's how to enter:

1. Visit Country Bob's website by midnight on July 27th.

2. Come back here and leave a comment about one recipe on their website. How easy is that?

3. A random winner will be selected and notified by July 28th. (You have three days to claim your prize.)

Earn one extra entry as follows! Please leave a separate comment for each entry you earn.

1. Subscribe to my feed in the reader of your choice (Subscribe button at top left of blog).

2. Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here.

Oh, My Aching Ankle!

13 things about my sprained ankle

This is just for you, Queenie, because we are starting off with a picture!

1. This is 84 hours after the initial injury. Isn't it pretty?

Signs and symptoms

2. RICE is the best treatment for the first 24-48 hours. Not the food!

3. R=Rest

4. I=Ice

5. C=Compression

6. E=Elevation

7. You can actually hear a snap or pop, like I did, during a sprain.

8. Sprains are often caused my weak ankles like mine. Mine rolled over.

9. It doesn't help if you don't happen to be the most graceful person coming downstairs in tennis shoes with an overnight bag on one arm and a laptop and case on the other.

10. It's about the worst pain I've ever felt, including the pain of having a baby. Or maybe I've just forgotten about that kind of pain!

11. It's humiliating, screaming and hollering in front of my sister and brother-in-law. Why wasn't I doing something cool like doing a basketball layup?

12. Mine is a grade 2 sprain (grades 1-3).

13. An ankle sprain is one of the most common orthopedic injuries - and I got a whole day of the princess treatment. Yes, one day. I would say day two treatment dropped to lady-in-waiting treatment. I took advantage of it!

Don't forget to check out my giveaways!
Pillar Candle Giveaway
Country Bob’s Sauce Giveaway