Tackle it Tuesday

Because of Memorial Day, I kept thinking today was Sunday.

But it's not!  So I have to get my "tackle" posted.

Tackle it Tuesday is sponsored by 5 Minutes for Mom.

I decided to clean out my pantry and get it organized.  I don't know how long it will last, but that's okay.
I cleaned the shelves, threw away some things, and organized the rest in a way that makes sense to me.  It's kind of hard to tell much from the before and after photos, but it did make a huge difference, even though it's still not perfect.  Also, the lighting is different, maybe due to what light was coming in through windows at the time. Oh, well.  Here it is!

Here's before:

Here's after:

What are you tackling this week?

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It's Just My Opinion

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back by Todd Burpo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I could not put this book down! It was well-written, easy to read, and I just wanted to know more and more. The story is amazing. My daughter asked me if I believed it had really happened, and without hesitation, I answered, "Absolutely!" There are things this child knew that no 3 1/2 year old would know unless he had experienced it.

The book also reinforces my faith. I had faith, but I feel like it is stronger now. I always knew that death was not something to be afraid of, especially if Jesus is in your heart, and that Heaven was waiting, but now I have proof!





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Dove Men+Care Review/Giveaway

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Since my first review of Dove products, I have been "sold" on the company.  One of the many Dove products we use in our household is Dove Men+Care products.  My husband won't use anything else now.  He loves the bars, and my son loves the body wash.  I've even used it a few times.  I love the way it moisturizes and cleanses.  After all, Dove is the #1 dermatologist-recommended brand in skin care.  Plus, it smells good and leaves me feeling so clean! There are some new products in the Dove Men+Care line which we are using now inluding anti-perspirant/deodorant (it's formulated to last up to 48 hours) and a new body wash for sensitive skin.

The good people at Dove contacted me recently about their new segment in the "Journey to Comfort" featuring golf greats Davis Love III and Stewart Cink.  Check out what they said about their own journeys to get comfortable in their own skin.

Also, visit Dove Men+Care to play the "Tournament to Comfort."  You could win amazing prizes such as a session with Cink's swing coach, a set of custom clubs, or a trip to the 2012 tour championship.  Wouldn't it be awesome to win one of these prizes either for yourself or the man in your life?  Talk about a great Father's Day gift!

Dove Men+Care also has a new Twitter handle.  You can follow them for the chance to win additional prizes such as signed memorabilia and other golf-related items.  And of course, you can follow them on Facebook.

Giveaway!  Dove Men+Care will send one of my readers a prize pack of products!  (Say that 3 times fast.) Giveaway is open to US residents and will remain open until 11:59 PM CST on June 3, 2011.  It's easy to enter!

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me a little bit about the golfer in your life. 

Extra Entries: Do any or all of the following. Please come back and leave a separate comment for each entry.

2. Tweet this post. Be sure to leave your link in the comments. This may be done once a day until the giveaway ends.
3. Link to this post on Facebook. While you're there, you can "friend" Forgetfulone if you'd like.
4.  Stumble this post.  Please leave your link in the comment.
5.  Follow Dove Men+Care on Twitter.  Come back here and leave your twitter handle.
6. Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post on my blog. Come back here and tell me which post you read.
This post was written on behalf of Dove Men+Care who provided the products for review and giveaway.  All opinions are 100% mine.

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Thursday Thirteen

I mentioned on my blog not too long ago that I have been having strange dreams.  Some of them are downright disturbing.  Some are just plain crazy.  These are some details from my dream last night.  Thank goodness it was just a dream!

1.  I dreamed I had a purple car.
2.  In my dream, I was inebriated, and forgot where I left my car.  BTW, I rarely drink adult beverages!
3.  My car was in a run-down parking garage.
4.  I had to pay to get my car out.
5.  Apparently, the night before I had been "charged" with some misdemeanor crime and had dealt with the police about it, but I have no idea what I did.
6.  Maybe because I was too inebriated.
7.  My mom helped me find my car.
8.  Before I lost the car, I was on a "date" of some kind.
9.  Part of that date time was spent washing dishes and organizing someone's kitchen.
10. Instead of leaving with my date, I left alone and went home.  Angry, I think.
11. I was living around a college campus.
12. The garage where my car was parked had numerous concrete staircases on the outside of the building.
13. The garage attendants were of a differently nationality than I, and their office didn't smell good.  It was also very crowded.

I could probably list more crazy details, but since it's Thursday 13, I'll stop here.

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Ziploc Review & Giveaway - Summer Grilling Edition!

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Raettig Family is the winner!  Congratulations!

Ours is a Ziploc house.  No other brand will do when it comes to food storage.  With Ziploc, there is no question that the storage bag is strong enough and or that the seal is closed and is going to stay that way.  Ziploc is the only brand of storage bags and containers that we buy.

Ziploc Brand has partnered with Food Network contributor, cookbook author, nutritionist, and mom Robin Miller to help families get more out of their summer festivities, while saving time, money and resources. Miller has quick and hassle-free solutions to make summer entertaining and festivities a breeze.

One tip Robin suggests to keep meat juicy is to marinate before cooking.  Instead of using a dish or bowl, try marinating in a Ziploc Freezer Bag for easy cleanup.  A really clever idea is to grill kabobs (using beef, fish, or chicken) layered with onions, bell pepper or other vegetables.  When it's time to serve, have your guests help themselves to dipping stations using a variety of sauces. 

You might try this Chipotle-Lime Mayo!
1/3 cup of light mayonnaise
1/2 lime, juice and zest
1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chipotle powder (or smoked chili powder).
Combine all ingredients, mix, season with salt and pepper, and serve.  Yum!

For more ideas and tips, join Ziploc and Robin Miller on their Facebook page.

Ziploc Summer Gift Pack giveaway! The giveaway will consist of an array of Ziploc products, including Ziploc Freezer and Storage Bags and Slider Bags as well as Ziploc Containers. Giveaway is open to US residents only. You may enter until 11:59 PM CST on June 1, 2011. Please make sure I have a - way to reach you via email.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment with your favorite summer grilling tip.

Extra Entries - Do any or all of the following. Please come back and leave a separate comment for each entry.

2. Tweet this post. Be sure to leave your link in the comments.  This may be done once a day until the giveaway ends.
3. Link to this post on Facebook. While you're there, you can "friend" Forgetfulone if you'd like.
4. Stumble this post. Be sure to leave your link.
5.  Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post on my blog.  Come back here and tell me which post you read.  You may do this up to three times.

This post was written on behalf of Family Review Network and Ziploc Brand who provided the product for review and giveaway.  All opinions are 100% mine.

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Tackle it Tuesday

5 Minutes for Mom makes housework bloggable!  Check out Tackle it Tuesday.

This week I tackled my refrigerator.  I took out all the food, got rid of what we no longer needed, cleaned the shelves, and reorganized like items with like items in the proper spaces.  Doesn't look like much, but I sure felt better when it was over!  Just having the sticky shelves clean again is an accomplishment!

What did you tackle this week?

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Friday Confessional

I confess…

I’m not one of those women who can wear a nice dress with no pantyhose. My legs are just too pale! And it just doesn’t look right on me.  I've tried twice in the last week to wear a skirt with no hosiery, and I just couldn't do it!  Most of the women I know look great in their dresses with no pantyhose, but, I’m not so lucky. Besides, I hate the way that my dress shoes feel on my bare feet.

I confess...

I am SICK of basketball!  I usually enjoy watching basketball, particularly the Rockets, but these NBA finals are seemingly endless!  And at this point, none of the teams I like are still in it, so I really don't care who wins.  But if there is a game on, it is on in our house, and I am sooooo tired of it!  I want to be in charge of the TV.  Ha!  Like that'll ever happen!

And I confess...

I am counting the days until school is out.  Nine school days, including today.  Two weeks.  I have had a (mostly) good school year, but I am ready for summer.  We started in August, and we go back again this year in mid-August, but I need a break!  It's one of the few perks of teaching... that, and having the same hours as my children, for the most part.  And, NO, I don't get paid for not working in the summer, so what I do instead is have my school-year salary spaced out over 24 pay periods so I continue to have a regular income.  Basically, what I get paid for in the summer is payment for hours I've already worked.  I wish more people understood that.

Time to confess with Mamrazzi and Glamazon!  You'll feel better!

Monday Movie Meme

The Bumbles Blog hosts the Monday Movie Meme. 

Today's Topic is all about farms.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) - This is one of my favorites.  It begins and ends on a farm.  Love that full circle ending and everything in between.  Judy Garland was just so beautiful and sant like an angel.  But my favorite character was Farmer Zeke, AKA the Cowardly Lion played by Bert Lahr.

Charlotte's Web (1973) - The original version is near and dear to my heart.  I loved it as a child, and I remember watching it with my children.  I liked Charlotte, of course, and Wilbur, but I loved Templeton, voiced by Paul Lynde, who also played Uncle Arthur in one of my favorite childhood sitcoms, Bewitched (1964).

Of Mice and Men (1939) - This was such a good book, and the movie followed closely.  I was in high school (10th grade) when I read the book and watched the movie.  George (played by the fabulous Burgess Meredith) and Lennie (a mentally retarded man) work on a cowboy's farm/ranch until...  If you've never seen it, you could get the original or one of several TV remakes if you prefer to watch in color.

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Sunday Scrappin'

I haven't scrapbooked in a while, which is bad, because I only have three weeks left to complete my step-daughter's graduation gift - an album of photos from her senior year. I did some digital scrapbooking this weekend, not for my step-daughter, but for my daughter who attended her best friend's funeral last week.

For Christmas, I got tickets to see a performance of Mama Mia. The show couldn't have been scheduled at a more perfect time, considering all that's happened. It allowed me to cheer my daughter up, at least for a few hours. I thought the performance was ABBA-solutely F-ABBA-lous!

Now I've GOT to get back to work on the senior album! Wish me luck!

More Sunday Scrappin'
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Friday Confessional

I confess…

I held my emotions in check pretty well through most of Jenny’s funeral, until all of her classmates, former Girl Scout troop, and young friends, including my son and daughter, followed the casket out of the church. I really wanted to hold it together for my daughter. She’s such a nurturer, and I wanted to focus on her rather than have her try to comfort me. But I am proud that I didn’t lose it at the grave site.

I confess…

I am irritated by a photo one of the girls posted on Facebook. It shows about ten of Jenny’s friends smiling, laughing, playing around,  AT THE FREAKIN’ CEMETERY! Obviously, one of the mothers took it. It’s the whole (former) Girl Scout troop, minus my daughter and Jenny. I’m so glad my girl wasn’t part of that. Everyone else left to give the family some private time, except these girls and 4 of their moms. Then they’re taking a picture? I realize there were two girls there that they hadn’t seen in a year, but you know what? I don’t care! I am biting my tongue, or my fingers, trying NOT to comment negatively on the photo and embarrass my daughter. I sure hope someone does, though. A funeral is NOT a social event. They could have gone somewhere afterwards and taken their photo. My daughter thinks I’m over-reacting. Maybe I am.

I confess…

Since Jenny was in her accident, I have had strange dreams. One night, I dreamed about my dead babies (yes, plural - from miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy).  Morbid.

I confess…

I have been irritable for over a week with all that has happened. I’m tired of feeling grumpy and depressed. I haven’t felt like being social, writing, visiting blogs, or having fun, but that is about to change. I need to get happy. Yes, NEED!

And just so you don't go away thinking I can't write about anything else...

I confess...

I used to pick the toppings off my pizza, eat the crust first, then eat the toppings separately.  I don't do this anymore, at least not usually, but the toppings are just so good by themselves!

Time to link up with Mamarazzi and Glamazon and confess!

Thursday Thirteen

ATV's - All Terrain Vehicles such as 3 and 4 wheelers...

I never thought much about them until about two weeks ago.

1.  Number of ATV accidents requiring emergency room treatment in 2009 (the most recent date for which statistics are available) - 131,900.
2.  Number of deaths in ATV accidents in 2009 - 376 (down from 616 in 2008).
3.  Reported deaths of children under age 16 in 2009 - 61.
4.  44 states in the US have passed various ATV safety laws.
5.  In Texas, ATVs operated on public lands must be registered.  All ATVs must have a title.
6.  ATVs are not allowed on public streets in Texas.
7.  In Texas, ATVs may not be operated by anyone under age 14 unless accompanied by an adult.
8.  The majority of ATVs are designed to carry one person.
9.  Helmets reduce the possibility of injury by 42%, according to this website.
10. On April 30, my daughter's best friend, age 14, was involved in an ATV accident (my daughter was not there when it happened).
11.  She was wearing a helmet.  She did not suffer a brain injury or any broken bones.
12.  Injuries were caused due to rollover and being without oxygen for too long.

13.  Jenny passed away on May 7.  She will be laid to rest today, May 12.  My heart is breaking.

Rest in peace, Jenny Michelle.

We love you, and we will miss you.  We already do.

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Not Happy for all Mothers

Making funeral plans for a 14 year old.  What a  horrible thing to be thinking about on Mother's Day.  My daughter's friend Jenny didn't survive.  She died in the early morning hours of May 7.  I cannot begin to imagine what her parents are going through right now, especially since Jenny was their only child, not that that makes it any easier.  It makes me want to keep my children close, but I know I can't do that all the time.

Accidents.  They can happen anywhere, any time.  I don't understand, though.  I know God has a plan, but I wish I knew what it was.  Maybe then dealing with the death of a 14 year old young lady with so much potential might be easier to explain.  As it is now, I just don't understand.

This picture was taken 2 or 3 weeks ago.  Jenny is on the left.

I'm worried about my daughter and my son (twins),  but mostly my daughter, her best friend.  They tend to hold their feelings inside.  How do I help them with their grief?  A dear online friend, Rachel Anne, has recommended a book called Beyond the Gates, and we already have a copy of Heaven is for Real (I had planned to read that one anyway).  If you have any words of wisdom, especially Biblical words of comfort, please let me know.  I'm having such a hard time answering her questions, and none of us can explain WHY this happened.  If I can help my daughter deal with this huge loss in her life, I would be ever so grateful for any suggestions.

Dance Performance

With all the sadness, uncertainty, and disbelief that we have been experiencing this week, my daughter's dance performance was a welcome distraction.  There was so much movement that it made pictures hard to capture.  I video-taped while a friend took photos, and this is one of the two that came out almost clear.  The rest were too fuzzy!  I'm so proud of my girl!

Not Just Prayers... but A Miracle

Is what we need now.  Poor Jenny. Some of the things she was doing for herself, she is not doing anymore.  It's as though her body is shutting down.  No reflexes or movement.  Her pupils are fixed and dilated.  Breathing tube is doing all the work. The Drs. aren't optimistic about meaningful brain activity.

I have cried so much today.  I'm so glad I took my daughter to see Jenny today and didn't wait, because there may not be a "later."  I have to be honest with myself about this.  My poor daughter is beside herself, yet she is still hoping for a miracle.  That is what we need.

If you're a praying person, please remember to ask for healing for Jenny and comfort and strength for her parents.  Please also ask that my daughter, one of her best friends for the past six years, will be able to deal with her grief should the miracle not happen.  These precious girls are only 14 years old!  I don't know God's plan, but I know he has one.  I just wish I understood it.

Cardi-Wrap

There is a great new product called a Cardi-Wrap.  It's a cardigan that is so versatile, it can be worn in over 50  different styles.  It comes in seven pretty colors, and it's only $39.95 plus shipping and handling.  You can instantly change your look, hide your flaws (if you have any), or take an outfit from day to evening with  a quick change.  Check out the website for a demo of the many ways it can be worn.

This post was written for Family Review Network on behalf of Kymaro, makers of Cardi-Wrap, who provided the product for review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Still More Prayers Needed

I know it's time to post a vlog, or a review of some sort, or a funny quote, or a tackle, or a picture... but I'm just not feeling it right now.  As I mentioned yesterday, my daughter's best friend is in the hospital fighting for her life.

Jenny is a beautiful, smart, loving 14 year old girl.  Saturday night, she was riding an ATV with some friends at a birthday party..  She was wearing a helmet.  There was some sort of accident, and the ATV fell on her puncturing one of her lungs.  She was without oxygen for a fair amount of time.  Then her brain began to swell (hypoxia, brain injury after another type of trauma.)  The hospital in College Station did what they could for her, but they flew her to Texas Children's in Houston on Sunday.  She hasn't been conscious since the accident.

The good news is that she doesn't appear to have a spinal cord injury.  But... there is almost a certainty of some brain damage, especially if the swelling doesn't go down soon.  The highly critical 72 hour time period will be upon us soon.  Prayers.  Please, God, listen to our prayers!

It's hard to think about too many other things when your daughter's best friend is suffering.  And how do you explain to a sensitive 14 year old that when she sees her friend, she's not going to look the same (bruising, swelling), that she's going to have tubes and machines all over the place, that she may not wake up, and if she does wake up, she may be "different."?????  My heart is breaking for the family.

Our youth group talked about, "Why do bad things happen to good people" last week in their lesson at church.  I'm so thankful for the timing of that discussion.  But, of course, it doesn't explain everything.  There is so much unknown in this world, and it's just really, really hard sometimes.

My dad died of a subarachnid hematoma six years ago.  Memories of that awful time are flooding back.  In his case, there was NOTHING the doctors could do.  Jenny, at least, has a chance.  And of course, I think often of my blog friend Queenie whose husband suffered a traumatic brain injury.  She knows, more than anyone, the effects.

And I think it is ironic in a very terrible way that Jenny's mom is a paraprofessional in our school district who works with children with severe disabilities.  I don't want her daughter to have that need.

 We love Jenny!

My Poor Kitty (and more)

Sweet Lacy has two puncture wounds on her front, right leg.  (Graphic picture follows - may want to scroll past).

She went out in the garage or on the back porch a little over a month ago.  My husband lets her out.  She's supposed to be an indoor kitty.  We heard a crash and she came tearing inside.  She had a little knot on her arm/leg and was limping, but we couldn't find an actual wound.

Well, days and weeks go by, and she's been licking at her leg.  We see she's got not one, but two wounds.  We thought they were cuts.  We took her to the vet.  They couldn't see anything too worrisome.

Fast forward a couple of more weeks. The "cuts" have gotten worse, puffy, oozing, bleeding.  We're back at the vet.  They shave her leg.  There are two huge puncture wounds on her leg.  I have to giver her anti-biotics by mouth and ointment on the wounds, and she'll have to wear her cone until it heals.  She has some pain medicine if we feel it is necessary.  We had to see the vet three time for this incident!

My poor fur baby! Please pray she gets well soon.

And while you're praying, and on a much more serious note, a friend of mine has a daughter who is in ICU at Texas Children's suffering brain trauma from an ATV accident that happened Saturday night.  Please pray for Jenny (she's the one in the middle).  She is one of my daughter's very good friends.

It's Just My Opinion

The Sentry by Robert Crais

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I couldn't put this book down! It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I love Crais's writing style, and the characters are so well-developed. This novel had a very unique plot. Crais tied up all the "loose ends" and left me satisfied with the resolution.



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