Sunday Scrappin'

Pop over to Sunday Scrappin' and sign Mr. Linky if you have any type of paper crafting to talk about this week (or any week). We have people who scrapbook both digitally and traditionally as well as people who make cards and altered items, so won't you join us?

My Ta-Da's

14 gift tags. I'm only showing 13 of them because one of them wasn't picture-worthy.

8 Christmas cards. I'm only showing 7 of them!

Lots of digital pages (18) that I can print and use for gifts for both sides of the family. Some of them look like duplicates, but there are minor differences depending on which grandparent they are for.

My To-Do's

Try to keep up the momentum. I especially need to make a cover page for my mom's scrapbook Christmas album.

Challenge

Last week's challenge was a little different. Instead of Amy giving us a challenge, we were to leave a challenge for the person who commented after us. My challenge was to use the color brown in a project. I think I did that! The challenge that I left for the commenter after me was to hand-write journaling or a sentiment on a scrapbook page or card. I wonder if my challenge went to Rebecca or Krista?

This week's challenge is to complete a gift item for someone else (card, page, whatever) and share the pattern/ details with us along with your finished project, just in case we're inspired to try your project ourselves. I'll do the cover page for my mom's scrapbook!

The Laundry Room

One of my favorite blogs, I'm an Organizing Junkie has a monthly "round-up". Each month, we're supposed to organize a certain room in our homes. I've been able to participate several times this year. February was dedicated to the kitchen. In May, I did my son's room. In July, we were challenged to oranize under our bathroom sinks. And in August, we did the entryway.

November was the laundry room, and here is mine, such as it is. Not so much a room as a closet, in my opinion, and certainly not the laundry room of my dreams (is there such a thing?) But, I've had to be creative and use what I have to work with.

First we have the view of the left side, then a view of the center, and last, a view of the right side. I'm fairly organized as it is, but there were a few things I needed to do.

First, the whole room needed a good cleaning. I don't think the blinds had been dusted since I moved in 3 and a half years ago. Next, I needed to clean off the machines themselves. It's amazing what you'll find behind a washer and dryer, and not just socks (a ski glove? hangers! unbelievable amounts of lint)! I had to toss some things my step-daughter put in there when she returned from college last summer such as a pop up hamper, a disabled DVD player, and a picture she no longer wanted hanging in her room.


On the left, I refolded the extra towels and made a stack for regular bath towels, a stack for beach towels, and added a plastic container for extra blankets and pillows so they won't fall off the shelf. I still have my bar for hanging items that I don't want in the dryer.


On the right, we have three stacks: flat sheets (because for some reason, my children don't always like to use the flat sheet on their beds, and I just don't get this); full size sheets, and twin size sheets. I made labels for each stack. On the shelf underneath these I have pillow-cases, my refresh'n dryer towel, and a box of dryer sheets.

I wish there was some other place to keep the laundry detergent and bleach, but there is just nowhere else to put another shelf, so those have to stay on top of the dryer.

After I cleaned the floors, I was finished, and it feels good. Wonder how long it will stay this way?

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Ferrero - Share Something Sweet

I am a a Ferrero Rondnoir™ Dark Chocolates Personality: modern, tasteful, and complex - according to the cute "What Chocolate Are You" quiz I just took. Ferrero Rocher is one of the most popular candies in my family, those beautiful gold-wrapped chocolates that melt in your mouth. My mom and my 12 year old always ask for them for gifts. I'm definitely going to try the Rondnoir candies. I love dark chocolate!

I came across a website called "Share Something Sweet." This year Ferrero has donated $150,000 to Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to making sure no child in America grows up hungry.

The Ferrero Company is giving us a chance to add to that donation. Right now, if you log on to Share Something Sweet and use it to "send something sweet" (that is, a customizable e-card), Ferrero will donate another $1 per e-card sent, up to $10,000. And for every person that joins the Ferrero Facebook page, "Ferrero Lovers Unite," Ferrero will donate another $1 to Share Our Strength (up to $1,000):

No giveaway in this post - just giving back. What are you waiting for? Let's help make a difference!

Purrrrrr! Great Gift Idea

Abby is the winner! Congratulations!

Look at this adorable book! What a perfect gift for the cat lover in your life. Or, you can get one for yourself. It's perfect for both adults and children.




Purry Logic by Jane Seabrook is a beautiful hard cover book with colorful illustrations and both sweet and humorous sentiments throughout.


My family has lots of cat fans! My mom, sister, and I all have kitty-cats that we adore. Mom and sis also collect certain types of cat figurines. The absolute MUST on my mom's Christmas list every year is a page-a-day cat calendar, which, of course, is the first Christmas gift I purchased. Now, I'm not sure if I should give her this book or give it to my sister. Actually, Mom's birthday is also right around the corner. I think I'll use it for that. Thanks for helping me decide!



Guess what? You can win this book!



Just leave a comment on this post by 11:59 PM, CST, December 2nd. One name will be drawn. Please make sure your blog is linked to your email or leave it in your comment. The winner will need to provide their name and mailing address as soon as possible after being contacted.



Once I draw a name and receive the winner's information, I will forward it to Family Review Network, and the sponsor will get your book out to you as soon as possible so you have it before the holiday. Good luck!

Declutter Friday

I have been a declutter machine this week! I've had the whole week off, so what better to do than get rid of stuff before we get more stuff at Christmas!?

My photos are clutter-free on both computers (the desktop and the laptop). I deleted tons of duplicates! Everything is nice and organized into folders now, just the way I like it.

The biggest project was my son's closet, which I don't think has been cleaned out in years. I bagged up so many toys and stuffed animals. I even found a new, still-in-the-box water gun that his friend gave him for his birthday last year. Here's a picture of the CD holder (it wouldn't fit in a bag), k'nex, unopened toy, and 5 bags.

I also decluttered clothes from his closet as well as mine and my daughters. This is a jumbo-sized container, and I found even more clothes after this photo was taken.

I'll be making a trip to the donation site this weekend. Right now I'm off to declutter the bookshelf and file cabinet.

P. S. Have you visited Organsing Queen? What are you waiting for?!

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Thursday Thirteen

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.
--Frank A. Clark

How about some lighthearted, "slightly" corny turkey jokes to relieve some stress today?

1. What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient children?

If your father could see you now, he'd turn over in his gravy!

2. How many cooks does it take to stuff a turkey?

One, but you really have to squeeze him in!

3. A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy answered, "No ma'am, they're dead."

4. What happened when the turkey got into a fight?

He got the stuffing knocked out of him.

5. Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building?

Yes - a building can't jump at all.

6. Why did they let the turkey join the band?

Because he had the drumsticks!

7. Why did the police arrest the turkey?

They suspected it of fowl play!

8. Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?

The outside.

9. How does a Turkey drink her wine?

In a gobble-let

10. What do turkeys like to do on sunny days?

They like to go on a peck-nic.

11. What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octopus?

Enough drumsticks for Thanksgiving.

12. What did the little turkey say to the big turkey?

"Peck" on someone your own size!

13. What do you get after eating way too much turkey and dressing?

Dessert, of course

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Stupid Cell Phone Company!

My daughter has asked for one gift this Christmas (yes, I've started my shopping). One thing! This cell phone: the LG EnV2.She looked it up online and saw a price, pretty expensive. She said she would pay for half if I would pay for the other half as her Christmas gift. She's pretty good at saving up for things she wants. I went to the "cell phone" store today. (I don't want to say the name.) The price quoted online is quite different from the price at the store. First, there's the online price (high-probably with tons of fine print), then there is the price with a two year agreement (higher), then the price with the one year agreement (even higher), and finally, the full retail price (highest - $120 more than the 2 year price-almost $300!).

Guess which one they want to charge me? Yep! Full retail. So, I was going to extend our agreement to get one of the lower prices, and guess what? They won't let me extend the agreement until the EXACT one year date, December 18. That's ridiculous! I want to get my shopping over with now. Seems like if I'm willing to extend the contract for a year or two after it's technically over, I shouldn't have to wait until the exact date to purchase the phone. Oh, but that would make sense, and this IS a cell phone company after all. They will get you coming and going if they can!

Last resort (other than waiting till December 18) is the employee pricing program through my husband's employer. I am hoping he can help me go ahead and take care of this now, and maybe with a discount off full retail price.

Do cell phone companies drive you nuts, too?

Wonder Mop Giveaway

I don't know about you, but I can't stand to walk on my tile floor in bare feet if it doesn't feel clean! And, with six people in the household, it needs frequent mopping.

I recently received a Libman Wonder Mop, and I have to say that as much as I dislike mopping the floor, I love this mop! My hands never had to touch the water because of the unique, twisting wringer sleeve. The mop head is made of removable, machine washable, durable cotton strips, so not only does it clean well, but I can pop it off and toss it in the washing machine! How's that for handy? It also has a steel handle with a hole so that I can hang it up for easy storage.

How would you like to win one? How about winning a $100 prize package? Libman (maker of quality cleaning products since 1896) has teamed up with Weiman to offer one of my readers the following prize:

Libman Wonder Mop
Wonder-Fiber Cloth

Wright's Silver Cream
Perfect Planet Floor Cleanser
Weiman Furniture Wipes
Weiman Granite Wipes
Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes

It's easy to win. Simply leave a comment on this post or my Weiman post (or both - to increase your chance of winning) no later than 11:59 PM CST, Friday, December 5, 2008. Please make sure to leave an email address in the comment if it is not available on your blog. Non-bloggers are welcome to enter. I will email the winner, and once I receive your shipping address, I will forward it to the sponsor. U. S. Entries only, please. Good luck!

Thanks, Family Review Network, for giving me a chance to try this terrific product and for helping me to offer my readers a great prize.

Comments are now closed.

Bloggy Goodness

Mamarazzi of Our Dandelion Wishes gave me this adorable award! It's the cutest darn thing, and it matches her blog. How cool is that?


It is so hard choosing which blogs are going to get awards because if I read your blog, it's full of bloggy goodness! I always feel like I'm hurting someone's feelings. So, I'm going to pass this on to two "new" blogs that I have added to my reader in the last couple of weeks. Confessions are Good for the Soul and Joy to the Blog. Check them out!

Scroll down for my most recent review/giveaway!

Weiman Products Giveaway

The winner is "Wehaf." (no blogger profile available)

I've been doing a lot of cleaning lately, as I'm sure all of us have, and The Family Review Network allowed me the opportunity to use some Weiman products. I'd never heard the name, that I can remember (see my blog name?), but I chose two products that I was desperately in need of, and I'm so pleased with both of them.





First of all, I tried the E-tronic Wipes because I never know what is safe to use to clean my computer. These wipes are safe to use on all of your electronics. I used them on my LCD TV, DVD player, cell phone, computer keyboard and monitor, laptop, and the kitchen radio. I even took them to work to use on my computer keyboard and monitor. They are so convenient, and I love the way they removed dust and fingerprints.






I also wanted to try the Leather Wipes. We're still using my husband's "bachelor-black" leather sofa, chair, and love seat, and they needed a good cleaning! The wipes contain six natural cleansers, and they're the only brand on the market with UVX-sunscreen. They moisturized the leather leaving a smooth finish. I'm going to have to try these on the leather seats in my 4-Runner as well as my leather boots and handbags.




Both products are available for about $5.50 per container at most hardware and discount stores such as Ace, Target, Cost-co, The Home Depot, Kmart, and Walmart. Weiman also makes Wright's Silver Cream, Wax Away, and Granite Wipes, just to name a few of their quality cleaning products.




Visit the Weiman website for some great pre-holiday preparation suggestions. Have you cleaned your refrigerator, polished your silver, cleaned your fireplace, stocked up on wood or propane? Me, either, but I'm going to! And Weiman is going to help.


$100 Prize Package! Weiman and Libman have generously agreed to send one of my lucky readers a package including the following products:



Wright's Silver Cream
Perfect Planet Floor Cleanser
Weiman Furniture Wipes
Weiman Granite Wipes
Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes
Libman Wonder Mop
WonderFiber Cloth




All you need to do to win is leave a comment on this post no later than 11:59 PM CST, Friday, December 5, 2008. Please make sure to leave an email address in the comment if it is not available on your blog. Non-bloggers are welcome to enter. I will email the winner, and once I receive your shipping address, I will forward it to the sponsor. U. S. Entries only, please.
Good luck!

Comments are now closed.

FRN Swap

Some of the members of the Family Review Network recently took part in a swap. I received a GREAT package from Leah of O Momma Writes. She is so thoughtful! She took the time to see what my interests are - my main interest being scrapbooking - and the types of things I scrap, and based on that, she chose what to send me.

I received a vellum quotes pack, 4 designer sticker packs, a sweet card from Leah, and a $10 Michaels gift card. SWEET! (Sorry the flash got in the way of a really great photo.)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Give Me Five Monday

GM5 Monday is hosted by the wonderful Becca at Becca's Buzz.

Today, she asks us to share 5 of our favorite sub sandwich toppings or condiments. I guess that, no matter what meat and/or cheese you choose to build your sandwich with, there are endless types of toppings and condiments to choose from.

Mine tend to be rather basic.

1. Mayo

2. lettuce

3. pickles

4. black olives

5. vinegar and oil

Great! Now I'm hungry for a Cold Cut Combo or BMT with American cheese and the above! What do you like on your sub sandwich?

Visit other GM5-ers here.

Sunday Scrappin'

Sunday Scrappin' is the place to be if you enjoy traditional scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking, card-making, or any other type of paper crafting. I love sharing with everyone, and I enjoy getting ideas. Mostly, it keeps me motivated.

Ta-Da's

I made four cards and three gift tags this week, and finished my Christmas Planner. It doesn't look as professional as most of the ones I've seen, but it's functional, and I used supplies that I already had, so it didn't cost me a thing! The ribbons at the top are my tabs for each section. Two of my cards were Christmas cards, one was a sympathy card, and one was a get-well card. Two of my little gift tags are very plain because I was basically just practicing with my new heat embosser. (Thanks for the quick tutorial, Chrissy!)

I also did some digital scrapbooking - trying to get gifts ready!

To-Do's

Scrapbook, scrapbook, scrapbook! I'm going to sort photos and plan layouts now. I also have three more Christmas cards planned. Last, I need to get some digital layouts done so I can print them and send them to the grandparents for Christmas.

Challenge

Last week's challenge was to use a new template, which, sadly, I didn't do. This week's challenge is a bit different, and I love it! Since Amy was having trouble coming up with a challenge (How DOES she do it week after week, anyway?)... YOU will make the challenge for the person who follows you. Like this: the first commenter leaves an item in their comments that the person after them is challenged to use in this week's craft projects. So, if I leave a comment after Amy, she has challenged me to use the color brown in my projects this week. What a creative way to come up with lots of clever ideas for future use!

My challenge, for the person who comments after me, is to HAND WRITE a journaling box for scrapbooking or a sentiment for a card. Easy!

My challenge for all of us is to make and send a Christmas card for Holiday Mail for Heroes.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I'll be back next week because I plan to do lots of scrapping this week!

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Camera Critters

Lacy, caught on film, November 21, 2008, playing with her favorite toy.

My, how she's grown!

Visit more critters here.

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Both Lucy of LuLu's Petals and Tamy of 3 Sides of Crazy have posted about this, and I'm sure there are many others, and I hope you'll join us! When you are doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card (at least) and send it to this address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

Your card will be distributed by the American Red Cross to service members, veterans, and their families in the United States and around the world. Guidelines are here. Cards should be postmarked by December 10.

Please do not include any inserts, phone numbers, email addresses, or other "personal" information in your card, but don't forget to sign it. The Red Cross suggests using a generic greeting such as "Dear Service Member."


(Side note: Cards should not be mailed or delivered directly to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Walter Reed is not accepting mail addressed to "A Recovering American Soldier.)

Let's help the Red Cross meet their goal of 1 million cards and make the holidays brighter for our U.S. service personnel.

Hand and Foot Canasta Game

Hand and Foot Canasta is perfect for 4 players although more can play as long as you have an even number of players. The game includes 4 decks of cards for 4 times the fun. The cards have been created with point values pictured on them for easy play and learning.

The instructions are a bit confusing, but once you get going, everything falls into place.

Priced at less than ten dollars, Hand and Foot Canasta is the perfect gift and holiday stocking stuffer. It’s a great twist on the classic Canasta game!

Go here to win this game from Family Review Network!

Check out my giveaways, too!
Cookbook
Refresh'n Dryer Towel

There's No Place Like Home Tag

I was tagged for this meme by Queen Size Funny Bone - I love her!

The following is a little TAG that allows your Bloggy neighbors to get to know a little information about the town or city you live in. State the name and then Post 10 facts or observations about the town you call home. Then tag 4 people.

Home is Humble, Texas, a suburb of Houston, although I moved to another suburb on the other side of Houston 3 1/2 years ago. Humble will always be home! In fact, I wrote a Thursday Thirteen about my home town a long time ago.

1. The "H" is silent. It is pronounced Umble.

2. Humble is named for Englishman Pleasant S. Humble, a San Jacinto River ferry operator whose family settled there before the (US) Civil War.

3. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is five minutes away. I'm used to planes going over, so when 09/11 happened, it was eerily quiet in the sky.

4. Located on the Texas and New Orleans Railroad, later the Houston, East, and West Texas Railway.

5. The First United Methodist Church of Humble was established in 1886. (Click on the link for an inside look at the historic chapel.) This is where both my sister and I were baptized, confirmed, and married.

6. Humble became a pioneer oil “boom town” in 1904 when oil was discovered in an area known as Moonshine Hill (figure that one out). In 1905, Humble had the largest producing oilfield in Texas.

7. Ross Sterling (later, a governor of Texas) founded the Humble Oil and Refining Company in 1911.

8. Humble Oil became known as Exxon over two decades ago.

9. In 1912, during a drill, what was supposed to be oil turned out to be a free-flowing artesian well which later provided water to the bath houses and private homes. It is still flowing today and is located across the street and half a block from the Church.

10. Humble was a small, rural, cowboy town when I was little. You could get an ice cream for a nickel at the Rexall before you went to dancing lessons across the street. A few stores down was a one screened movie theater called teh Jewel. Quarter movies! I saw the Poseidon Adventure, Soilent Green, James Bond, the Shaggy Dog, and Herbie the Lovebug there.

Now Humble is just like any other suburb. Thanks for tagging me, Tammy!

I tag

My Kids are My World

And We'll All Float On

Cafe at the End of the Universive

and Up the Hill Backwards

Can I Make A Difference?

Yes, I can! The holidays are fast approaching, and there is such anticipation, including all the blog giveaways (cookbook, Refresh'n Dryer Towel, and the awesome giveaways at 5 Minutes for Mom, to name a few), I thought it would be a good time to reflect on ways that we can make a difference in someone's life. Even if it's only a small difference, I know there are things we can do that matter.1. Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen. Most major cities have "soup kitchens" where homeless men and women and their families are served a hot meal, maybe their only hot meal for that day. I'm proud that my husband volunteers at Loaves and Fishes once a month. If he could get the time off work, I think he would do it more often. His employer doesn't pay him for it or reimburse him any expenses. He does it because he wants to. Maybe your city has a soup kitchen, food bank, or clothing dispursement cetner that could use some extrea volunteers during the holiday season. It's also a great experience for teenagers about "giving back" to the community.

2. Speaking of clothing dispursement.... You know those clothes you've recently cleaned out of the closets in hopes of getting new ones for Christmas? Instead of saving them for a garage sale, how about donating some to a local community organization or church who can give them to someone in need. Here in Texas, we still have thousands of Hurricane Ike victims who were displaced, and they are still in need of clothing and household items.

3. And speaking of the food bank... How about "Dropping in for Dinner?" Kroger stores have pre-made bags that can be purchased, dropped in their collection can, and sent to restock the food bank. You could always drive a bag of groceries over there yourself.

4. Smile at someone. Yep. This one's simple. That can make a big difference in someone's day, and perhaps in their life, depending on the events going on in their lives that we don't know about. A stranger smiles at me and it feels good. I'm validated as a human being.

5. Let someone go before you in line. We are all in a hurry! The woman in line with the two children is in a hurry. The man in line buying a single rose is in a hurry. The older gentleman in line may be in a hurry to get back to his wife. Why not let someone go before you? It'll make their day!

6. Carry some bottled water in your car. The next time you see someone on the street corner, possibly selling roses or newspapers, possibly homeless and in need, hand them a water to enjoy. You've just made a difference in that person's life.

7. Samaritan's Purse is an organization that sponsors Operation Christmas Child. OCC brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project. National Collection Week is November 17-24.

8. Mentor a child, a niece, a nephew, a child in your neighborhood. This takes little time and creates a lasting impression. How do you mentor? You show you care. Ask about the child's grades. Ask if they need help with homework. Offer an ear to listen to them. Read with them. Easy and free, and it makes a world of difference!

9. Many churches sponsor Angel Tree Prison Fellowship programs, and this is one in which I have personal experience with, and I can attest to the fact that it changes lives. We "adopted" children whose fathers and/or mothers were in prison, and we not only took gifts to them (gifts donated by members of our church), but we also ministered to them so they could become aware of the love of God and know that someone else cared about them. If you visit the site, you can see there are many ways to become involved, regardless of how much time or money you have to donate.

10. Our church sponsors a global mission in Malawi, Africa; one in Budapest, Hungary; and one in Uganda, Africa. Prayers are a great way to support these global missions, and if your finances allow, they are run by charitable donations. Many churches sponsor global missions, so if this area touches your heart, check with your congregation. My heart is touch by the mission in Malawi because that is where a member of our congregation set up a clean, sterile, birthing clinic many years ago.

11. Invite someone lonely to a meal. Most of us have extra food at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Would it hurt to invite a non-family member to dine with us? Someone who's spouse recently passed, a college student who can't go home for the holidays, anyone who has no where to go to enjoy the celebrations of the season.

12. We can all make a difference, big or small! Want to know the biggest way you can make a difference? Teach your children well. They are the most important resource we have. So I will leave you with a song.

Christmas Giveaways

I shouldn't tell you about this because I really want to win some of these prizes (besides, you may already know, and you may see the new button in my sidebar) - but... 5 Minutes for Mom is having a week of Christmas Giveaways that started today and continue through November 25th! One of the prizes is an Epson Artisan 800 All-in-One Printer, and I would sooo love to win that! I could print my scrapbooking photos right here at home, quickly, in high definition, as well as all of the documents the kids and I need for school and work. Plus, it's wireless!

There are going to be tons of giveaways, so it's a good time to visit 5 Minutes for Mom!

Plus, I've added a giveaway to my Refreshn' Dryer Towel review. If you haven't commented yet, go visit my post and enter to win!