Friday Confessions

Get ready and hold on to your hat, because I have some confessing to do! Link up with Mamarazzi!

I confess...
I had a diagnostic procedure scheduled for yesterday, but I cancelled it Wednesday because of the cost.  I was shocked when the outpatient clinic told me how much MY PORTION was going to cost.  Over a thousand dollars!  And that didn't include the doctor's fee which I already paid.  That means, they are charging my insurance company over ten thousand dollars for the procedure.  But... get this... if I were paying cash, they would only charge $3,600.  That is insane!  The insurance company "allows" them to charge $10K.  That doesn't mean they should!  They are overcharging the insurance companies, and we, the consumers, pay for that in higher premiums and higher deductibles.

I confess...
I was shocked and saddened when the Supreme Court upheld parts of Obamacare "because it is  a tax."  Didn't President Obama say in an interview last year that it wasn't a tax?  And dont' taxes require an amendment to the constitution?  (The answer is yes, they do.)  What about "No taxation without representation?"

I confess...
I was appalled that our President and Congress are not subject to participation in Obamacare.  It won't affect them at all.

I confess...
I am horrified at how Obamacare is going to negatively affect our seniors in both cost and the lack of availability of services.

And I confess...
I'm going to get over it eventually... by crafting!  I was bit by the crafting bug, so I have my wood, ceramics, paint, and scrapbooking stuff to do.

We Want to Know

Trying WWTK for my second time.  Thanks for providing the questions Scriptor, Jenn, Chelsea, Jo, Mamarazzi, and Crazymomma.

1.  Hmm, I’d love to know how many tattoos our readers/bloggers have and if they don’t, do they want one and of what?
I have none and want none.
2.  What is the best present you ever received?

That's a difficult question.  It was probably last Christmas when my mom gave me her diamond earrings, the ones my dad had given her.

3.  Tall dark and handsome or pretty boys?

Probably neither.  I don't like boys who are cuter than I am, and the tall, dark, and handsome type is usually too mysterious for me.  Besides, I'm happy with who I've got!

4.  How did you meet your significant other?
My husband and I met online on a site that no longer exists.  This was before match.com and eharmony.  You used to have to place personal ads.  We used a site called Excite.com.  We started chatting via email in November 2001.  By January, we started communicating on the phone and arranged our first date.

5.  What question would you like to see featured on a future WWTK?

I want to know if your family members and friends in real life read your blog.

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Happy 16th Birthday Twins!

Today it's official.  They're 16.  Can't believe it!  I'm so proud of the way they are easing into adulthood with character and grace.  Love is not even an adequate word for how I feel.

Konsyl Senna Prompt Giveaway

Kathy is the winner!
Constipation. There. I said it.  It's not something we like to talk about, but it's something we've all experienced.  Doctors advise that fiber therapy is a healthy, natural approach to keeping the digestive system in good working order.

I recently tried Senna Prompt which is a combination of fiber therapy (psyllium) and laxative/softener (sennosides).  It usually produces relief from constipation overnight.  It worked for me!  And it is an easy-to-swallow capsule made with all natural ingredients, no sugars or sugar substitutes, so it is safe for diabetics.  It is also safe for mommies-to-be. And the capsule is tasteless.

You can check out Senna Prompt and Konsyl's other products on their website or on their Facebook page.  Did you know that fiber therapy can lead to lower cholesterol and can help you manage your weight?  Check out their fiber facts guide.

Would you like to win a bottle of Senna Prompt ($12.15 value)?  Easy!
1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. For a second entry, tweet this giveaway, then come back and leave a comment with your tweet link.  You can tweet this giveaway each day until the giveaway ends.

3. For another entry, be a follower of my blog.  Just leave a comment letting me know you follow.

Giveaway (US only) will end at 11:59 PM CST on July 2, 2012.  Please make sure I have a way to notify you if you are the winner.

This review was written on behalf of Konsyl who provided the product for review and will provide product for  giveaway.  All opinions are 100% mine.

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Friday Confessions

I'm linking up with Mamarazzi to confess.

I confess...
When my phone rang Wednesday night, and I looked to see who it was, I assumed the worst.  Our youth director was calling.  He's in Lubbock with a huge group of teens from our and other churches.  My first thought was, "Oh, no.  What did my son or daughter do so wrong that I am going to have to go pick him or her up now."

I confess...
When I found out he was calling to tell me my son wanted to be baptized, I was speechless.  I felt so guilty for thinking the worst.  And I felt proud, too.

I confess...
My twins were already baptised as babies.  Is there such a thing as double jeopardy for baptisms?  Or do two positives make a negative?  Just kidding!  I'm proud that this was my son's decision, not mine.

I confess...
I'm wondering why I didn't get a call saying my daughter wanted to be baptized.  I know she is shy, so maybe she doesn't want to do this in front of everyone or without me there, but I certainly do wonder.

And I confess...
I was upset when my oldest step-daughter and one of my brother-in-laws and his wife didn't come to the 16th birthday surprise for the twins.  The daughter told me she'd be there.  On the day of the party, she told her dad she wasn't coming.  She had a "study group."  On a Friday night.  The brother-in-law said they were leaving for New York that day.  They didn't.  All three of them could have come to at least say hello and wish them well.  I was disappointed.  Still am.  But, the party turned out well in spite of this.  See my Tuesday Happy List!

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We Want to Know Wednesday

This is my first time participating in "We Want to Know," but I have always enjoyed reading them, so I decided to play along.I'm linking up with Mamarazzi, and Crazymama is asking the questions.

(1) What is the usual summer high temperature where you live?

About 100 degrees, sometimes a little less, often more.

 (2) How do you keep cool? Do you have central air?

You can't live in Houston and NOT have central air.  My husband likes to set the AC for "light snow."  LOL.  The only time I have to be hot is if I'm outside or if the power goes out due to storms, which is rare, thankfully.  I also keep cool by shopping indoors, not at strip centers where you have to go outside, and occasionally, I go swimming.

(3) Do you swim? If you get in the water do you get your hair and make-up wet?

Yes, I swim, and I get my hair and makeup wet usually, but really?  Who wears makeup to the pool?  Maybe in my younger days!  LOL

(4) What is your favorite summer look? As far as outfit , shoe choice and hairstyle? (Pics are rad or just describe it.) Do you wear less make-up in the summer?

I like to get my hair highlighted in the summer so the blonde shows a little more.  Casual is the way to go in outfits.  Tee-shirts and capris or shorts are the best, along with flip-flops or tennies, since I don't have to work.  I try not to wear makeup often during the summer, again, because I don't have to work.  I usually use some eyeliner and mascara, but I don't use "full" makeup unless I am going out somewhere special.

(5) What is your favorite summer meal to make or eat, either way? (Score extra cool points for a recipe.)
I don't make anything special for summer that I don't make at other times of the year, but I guess I would say tuna salad.  Tuna, hard boiled eggs, mayo, a squirt of mustard, sweet pickles, and some garlic salt.  I actually make good chicken salad, too.  Grilled chicken (not canned), mayo, sweet pickles, celery, and a few water chestnuts.

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Happy List

I'm linking up with Mamarazzi today to tell you some of my "happies."

I'm so happy that the surprise party for the twins' 16th birthday is over!  It was stressfull.  But it stayed a surprise, which not only makes me happy, it amazes me.  I love pulling one over on my kids!  Hahaha.  I always wanted someone to throw me a surprise party, so I'm glad I was able to do it for my kids.

I'm happy I don't have to plan any more birthday parties!  They are old enough now that we will probably just have birthday dinners with family, and not parites.  Yay!  The only party I will probably need to plan (in two years) is a graduation party.  And someday... weddings - but I don't even want to think about that for at least six years!

Most of all, I'm happy that I was ABLE, both physically and financially, to have their party.  I am blessed.

And last, I'm happy that I get to go on a short vacation in a few weeks.  We're going on a cruise to Key West and Cozumel - and Cozumel is my all-time, favorite happy place!

My Dad, My Hero

My Dad, My Hero

You were my hero, the one who could fix everything.
Using glue, duct tape, tools, mechanical expertise…
And a lot of love.

I admired your strength and your character.
A relationship with God, honesty, integrity, wisdom, ethics…
And a lot of love.

You were my rescuer and role model.
Always there for me, patient, kind, ready with advice, supportive…
And a lot of love.

Your grandchildren loved you so much.
Playing with them, babysitting, supporting their activities…
And a lot of love.

You left this world far too soon.
Nothing to prepare us, a hole in our hearts, an empty place at the table…
And a lot of love.

No one knows how much I miss you each day.
Eight long years, wanting to phone you, needing to talk to you, craving a hug…
And a lot of love.

Happy Father's Day in Heaven, Daddy.  I love you and miss you!

I'm linking up with Sunday Scribblings where the prompt is "Parent."

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Friday Confessions

I usually link up with Mamarazzi to get my confessions off my chest, but she is leaving those duties to Aubrey right now.

I confess...
I am so stressed right now.  Tonight is the surprise party for my twins who are turning 16, and I'm still not completely ready.  But I will be! 

I confess...
I can't believe it has stayed a surprise from them this whole time.  I wonder if they really know and just aren't letting on that they know.

I confess...
I am afraid... afraid the people who said they would be there won't.  What if no one shows up?  What if there are only family members there and none of their friends actually make it?

I confess...
I have a hard time dealing with situations over which I have no control such as whether or not the guests actually show up!

I confess...
I want everything to be perfect.  I know perfection is impossible, but a girl can try, right?

I confess...
When I opened the "One Direction" tee shirt I ordered for my daughter and saw that a ladies' medium actually looked like a child's medium, I was pretty angry.  But I have no way to fix it before the gift-giving, so I will just return it and let her get a different one after the party.

And I confess...
I had to take my wedding ring off and leave it off Wednesday night.  I dropped a knife, and instead of trying to catch it by the handle, or letting it hit the counter or floor, I reached up and "caught" it by the blade in the webbing area between the 3rd and 4th fingers, and it hurts.
Whew!  Felt good to get rid of all that.  It will be even better if I pull this suprise party off!  Wish me luck!

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Party Ideas Needed

My "babies" ( boy/girl twins) are almost sixteen!  I am planning a surprise party for them.  I've reserved a banquet room at a local Italian place, although I don't think I can even begin to fill it with people.  It holds 60, but I'm thinking we might have 30 there.  Wish I could get in touch with more people.  Thank goodness for facebook where I can message some of their friends to invite them.

Here's what I have in mind.  A very simple centerpiece on each table that consists of a clear glass or vase filled with colorful jelly beans (maybe an ice cream sundae type glass) with 3 colorful straws in each glass, and attached to each straw, a colorful "flag" or pennant shape that I cut with my cricut.  Something like this, but thinner with the straws in it.

Maybe some tinsel-type streamers on the table.  Streamers hanging, a birthday banner.  I'm making a board for each of them that has their picture in the middle and their friends and family can sign it.  A regular cake and a cookie cake.  Italian dinner buffet.

Entertainment... I'm making a slideshow of their life.  Hope it won't embarrass them too much.  Someone suggested doing a roast and toast where I make them sit on stools next to me and I talk about funny growing-up stories.  Someone else suggested a "trivia" type thing where I ask the guests questions about them and maybe give a candy bar or something to the person who gets it right.  I don't know.  I guess I also need to do a CD of music to listen to.  I'm just not sure about the "roast and toast" or the "trivia."

Please help me with other ideas!  Are these ideas lame?  What else could we do?  Wish I had time to do a contest so I could get lots of ideas.  Leave me a comment, please.  I appreciate all suggestions.