Prayers for those in Japan, Hawaii and the West Coast

Just a short post today...asking for prayers for those people affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  My heart goes out to those who have been affected by this natural disaster.

Laissez les bon temps roulez! Happy Fat Tuesday!

Let the good times roll today!  Happy Fat Tuesday!  I'm actually having a quiet day...I've been ill and home-bound for the most part!  If you are stuck inside and wanna get some Mardi Gras spirit....here are some reads for your coffee break today...

**Revenge At Mardi Gras...disclaimer...I wrote this...short story about New Orleans, Mardi Gras, voodoo and revenge!  Enjoy!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7693318/revenge_at_mardi_gras.html?cat=44

**History of Mardi Gras
http://www.huliq.com/10473/history-mardi-gras-has-deep-ties-catholic-church


**King Cake Recipe
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/02/happy-mardi-gra.html


**Mardi Gras pics from around the world
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/picturethis/2014429557_pt_mardigras.html


Have a great day everyone!!! :-)

Don't Worry

Don't worry.  Easier said than done.  And we all say it....and actually mean well when we direct the saying toward others. "Don't worry..you'll do fine."  "Don't worry....everything will work out for the best."
Of course, when the saying is thrown in our direction it's a little different.  It's hard (especially for Type A people, like..ahem.....me) to always believe that things will work out okay.  I have found ways, over the years though, to alleviate some of the non-constructive and downright destructive worries that have plagued me from time to time.  For instance, I've found that better preparation for certain activities, work projects, etc. helps to ease my mind.  Time and experience help too.  Sometimes you have to just live through a few bad moments and make a few mistakes to learn how to better control those elements that cause you to worry.  There are always those things that are out of your control, though, that sometimes cause worries to creep up on the best of us.  I've found a few blogs that have some excellent advice on how to deal with worries and activities you can do to relieve your anxiety.  I hope they bring comfort and help to anyone out there currently feeling anxious or stressed out by their worries.  Heck, even if you aren't feeling particularly worried about anything at the moment, take a peek at them too!  The advice given in the blogs is great to store in the back of your mind for when the little worry monsters creep up unexpectedly!


~The Independent
Great tips on how to reduce anxious thoughts.....includes physical activity and how what we eat may affect how we feel...

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-not-to-worry-a-guide-to-reducing-everyday-anxiety-931863.html

~Relaxation Techniques for Anxiety and Stress
Brilliant article that includes a ton of techniques you can use to reduce your anxiety.

http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.aspx?Id=1205&xcntr=1

~The Positivity Blog-

Great down-to-earth advice (and a few fabulous quotes!) on ways to alleviate worrying.

http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2011/01/14/how-to-not-worry-so-much/

Hope everyone has a wonderful...worry-free....day!!! :-)

Yoga Does A Body Good.........

I'm really missing my yoga class.  I haven't attended class in almost 2 months and my bod is feelin' it!  My class is taught in 6 week sessions and I had decided to sit out this 6 weeks for multiple reasons...all too boring to mention here!   
My yoga instructor is an energetic 64-year-old named Mary.  She is truly an inspiration.  She's been practicing yoga for at least 3 decades now and is in better shape than most 20-year-olds!  Even though she could easily manage some of the more complex yoga poses, she lets us all go at our own pace.  Those of us who are beginners do the basic poses, while she encourages the more experienced to challenge themselves with more advanced versions of those poses.  She makes everyone feel totally comfortable and I don't ever feel intimidated or embarrassed (like I was afraid I would be when I first started her class).  She always has a smile on her face and an encouraging word for everyone.  I think that's what I've missed the most this past 6 weeks! 
So....since I have yoga on my mind.....I decided to share with you all some interesting sites relating to Yoga!  So....sit back, breathe deeply, relax and take a gander at the interesting yoga-related goodies I want to share with you.  
I encourage everyone to check out yoga classes near you.  When my next class session starts in 2 weeks, I'll be there, yoga mat in hand and smile on my face!  :-)






Quotes of the day:


A photographer gets people to pose for him.  A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.  ~Terri Guillemets


Blessed are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape. ~unknown


Sun salutations can energize and warm you, even on the darkest, coldest, winter day.  ~Carol Krucoff   (Aww....nice thought....especially since it's only 32 degrees here at the moment!)


What is yoga?


~This first site is great.  The article in the link below gives an introduction to the different types of yoga.  You might also want to venture further around the site.  It has lots of interesting yoga info!


http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/beginnersguide/whatisyoga.asp




Benefits of Yoga


~Wow...this article lists 77 reasons why I should get my behind back into class.....  :-)


http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/24/77-surprising-health-benefits-of-yoga/

Yoga Poses


~Here's an explanation of what is meant by beginner, intermediate, and advanced yoga positions....


http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/posesindex.htm


~Yoga poses for beginners.......weird stick figure illustrations here, but fantastic descriptions on how to form the poses and hold them.  Well...on second thought, those stick figures are kinda cute.....check 'em out!


http://www.yogasite.com/postures.html


~For the (way) more advanced yogis......fun pics!  Amazing what some folks have trained their bodies to do.  


http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/yoga/poses/extreme-yoga-poses/


Hope everyone has a zen-kinda day!  Get out there and stretch those bodies!

Love is in the air

It's time to get ready for Valentine's Day.  The countdown begins....only 11 more days!  I've got a great lineup today.  Romantic quotes and fantastic sites to help get you ready to have a fabulous time with your significant other and your little ones!  I've even thrown in a sappy love poem!  Enjoy!

Quotes of the Day:  


Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile.  ~Elizabeth Browning


You can't blame gravity for falling in love.  ~ Albert Einstein


Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear.  ~John Lennon


You know you are in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.  ~Dr. Seuss


We were given: Two hands to hold. Two legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find. ~ unknown


Gift Ideas for your Valentine:


~These are what I just got my hubby this morning...I think he'll appreciate them way more than chocolate or flowers....plus...they just look like a whole lotta fun!  I used the coupon code SRCHSave20 to get 20% off my purchase.  Not sure how long that promo lasts.  


http://gifts.redenvelope.com/gifts/get-lucky-dice-30001767-30001767?trackingpgroup=RecentlyViewed&tile=hmpg_tile_a&REF=REDSRCHgoogkwd_promotion+code+for+red+envelope_e_BRND&PRID=SRCHribbon20




~Here are some personalized gifts......


http://www.personalizationmall.com/StoreAllProducts.aspx?storeid=16&did=1375&wordID=6887240840&gclid=CLmnhsq17KYCFRVx5QodhWCFDg


~Various gifts...some edible...yum!  
http://www.gifts.com/valentines-day/nC0


I like the personalized guitar picks on this site too.  Although I purchased an engraved personalized sterling silver one last year for my hubby that I like a little better from this Etsy shop....they have wonderful customer service..it might be a little too late to order for Valentine's Day though, but you could ask...


http://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaBethBling


~ Threw this one in for fun!  :-)
10 Valentine's Day Gifts for the Special Geek in Your Life.....interesting stuff here...maybe not everyone's taste...but definitely unique :-)
http://mashable.com/2011/02/02/valentines-gifts-for-geeks/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29#84537-Tunes-for-2-Headphone-Splitter




Gift Ideas For Your Mini Sweethearts:


~I have two little girls (age 5 and 7).  I always go to the $1 section at Target and stock up on lots of little goodies there and stick them in pretty gift bags (that I can usually find right there in the $1 section!).  The girls LOVE the notebooks, pencils, lip gloss, etc.   I love that I can usually get them some really cool things for about the cost of a meal at McDonald's!  


~The Dollar Store usually has some great finds too at little cost...


~Candy and homemade treats are usually winners too!  Look at the links in the Easy Valentine Treats section below for some delicious healthy treats you can make for your kids (and yourself!).  


~More ideas...
http://www.gifts.com/valentines-day/top-picks/child/nC0hwXRpa


The custom book gift is my favorite!  Might have to get one of those for my little ones' birthday gifts....they LOVE books...


Easy Valentine Treats:


~Fabulous article.  It features yummy, healthy treats that are easy to put together!


http://notecook.com/desserts/cookies/valentines-party-idea-heart-themed-healthy-treats-for-your-valentines-day-party/?76677#comment-76677&reload


Strawberries dipped in melted dark chocolate....my mouth is watering already...


~This site has some great Valentine Treats AND Dinner recipes..not all are as healthy as the ones in the article above...but they all look delicious!


http://www.kitchendaily.com/valentines-day/?sem=1&ncid=AOLFOD00170000000016&s_kwcid=TC|11094|easy%20valentine's%20day%20recipes||S|b|7422867069


Fun Valentine Crafts:


~Tons of fun kid's crafts are listed here:
http://www.allcrafts.net/valentines.htm


~My girls and I will be making our Valentine's Day cards this weekend for the grandparents, etc.  We may be using some of the cute vintage sheet music hearts that I sell in my Etsy shop...

Or...if they are lucky...we'll use a few of these vintage French paper hearts I have listed in my Zibbet shop......these would be definitely only for the special cards that go to the grandparents, though...the  nearly antique paper I use for these is far too sparse to use for everyone!!! 

Sappy Valentine's Day Poem:

I leave you with a sappy little poem I published a few year's ago...

http://authspot.com/poetry/true-love-58/

Have a wonderful day everyone!  

READY FOR SPRING!!!

It's official!  Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow!  We'll have an early spring! Hope he's right!   After the snow, ice and freezing weather, I'm ready for it!!!  Here are some spring related thoughts to ponder and sites to wander while you are enjoying your coffee today......


Quote of the Day:  Spring is nature's way of saying "Let's Party" ~ Robin Williams


Isn't that true?  When the flowers start to bloom, you hear the birds, see the leaves coming back on the trees, it just feels like it's time to celebrate!   Nature, let's get the party started...quickly..... :-)


News Post of the Day:  This news/opinion blog post gives a little history on Punxsutawney Phil.  http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/115094764.html.


Fashion:  Check out the newest trends for spring/summer 2011 from the U.K Vogue.....They've got it all this year...animal prints, nudes, rainbow colors.....I happen to like the "modern craft" styles the best....
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/.


What I'm writing:  This is actually an article I wrote sometime back.  It is a great read to get ready for those outdoor Spring activities with preschoolers, though!!!!  :-)  I did most of the activities mentioned in the article with my two little girls in our backyard (except the art gallery).  These were SOOO much fun to do and really helped to boost my girls' creativity! 


http://gomestic.com/family/five-activities-that-encourage-creativity-in-preschoolers/.


Have a wonderful day everyone!  See you tomorrow...I'll be serving up a great Valentine's Day related post you won't want to miss! :-)

Turning the page.....

Here we go..."the first day of the rest of my blog"... :-)

New format folks....Here are some ideas to ponder and some places to wander around the world wide web while ya sit back and enjoy your coffee break!  :-)

Quote of the Day:  "To speak kindly does not hurt the tongue".  I believe this quote comes from the Bible.  It is part of a little book of quotes I was given after my great-grandmother passed away.  Some ladies in her church in Iowa put it together and had given it to my great grandma as a gift.  Some of the quotes are from the Bible and some are just plain good ole midwestern common sense.
Let us all go out and test this little quote.  Let me know if anyone's tongue gets injured in the process. :-)

Blog Post of the Day:  The first FANTASTIC "blog post of the day" to be featured on this mommy blog comes from a fabulous daddy blog.....Check it out!!  It features a French turn of the century (early 1900's not early 2000's..wouldn't be nearly as cool) photographer and his fabulous  photos of little street urchins during the WWI years. It's a little sad to think of kids playing the kind of games they are photographed playing, but it was a reality...and I always think the more real a photo is, the more meaning it has.  The pictures featured really bring the past vividly to life.   Here's the link...
http://daddytypes.com/2011/01/31/cest_la_guerre_mon_enfant.php

News Post of the Day:  Here's a link to a CNN blogger debating the impact the internet has had on the situation in Egypt:::  CNN BLOG

Fashion News:  Food + Fashion = Fabulous....Maybe....Check out this WSJ article and decide for yourself.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704405704576064340019008056.html.


What I am reading:  Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan.  Ms. Tan is one of my favorite authors.  I am currently on the third chapter of the book. If it weren't for the kids, dog, cats, hubby, housework, need for sleep, etc.  I would probably be finished with it!  It's really hard to put down!

There are two quotes at the beginning of the book that go along with its storyline....

The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding.  ~ Albert Camus

A pious man explained to his followers:  "It is evil to take lives and noble to save them.  Each day I pledge to save a hundred lives.  I drop my net in the lake and scoop out a hundred fishes.  I place the fishes on the bank, where they flop and twirl.  "Don't be scared, "I tell those fishes.  "I am saving you from drowning."  Soon enough, the fishes grow calm and lie still.  Yet, sad to say, I am always too late.  The fishes expire.  And because it is evil to waste anything, I take those dead fishes to market and I sell them for a good price.  With the money I receive, I buy more nets so I can save more fishes.
 ~ Anonymous

They really set up the book well.  It's about twelve American tourists who join an art expedition that eventually leads them into the jungles of Burma.  They encounter difficulties and end up disappearing.  If you read the book, be sure to read Amy's "a note to the reader"at the beginning of the book.  Her inspiration for the book is pretty interesting!

This book has published in 2005, so you may be able to find this at your local library.  If not, I've found it on Amazon for you....just click below for a wonderful read!

http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Fish-Drowning-Amy-Tan/dp/B002GJU418/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296585733&sr=1-1

That's all for now!  Have a wonderful rest of the day!  See ya during your coffee break tomorrow!

I failed......

Okay....I admit it.  I took the Ultimate Blog Challenge...and fell flat on my face!  :-)  The challenge was to blog for all 31 days of this month...every day...or at least publish 31 posts this month.  I did neither!  I don't have a real excuse.  I CAN say that I AM pretty busy.  I take care of my two little girls, my wonderful hubby, a house and 3 geriatric furry ones (2 cats and a dog).  I run my shops, try to submit at least a few articles a month to the writing sites I belong to, am learning guitar and piano, exercise, and try to spend a little bit of fun time with my family and friends.  But really, EVERYONE is busy in their own way.  I could have taken a few moments and written down my thoughts.  It's actually quite fun to blog!  Starting Feb 1st, I am vowing to blog once a day (Mon-Fri), no matter what.  I'll make the time to post...it's  very relaxing to me to write...and it's nice to sit quietly for a few minutes and just think about what to put on the page...not about how much laundry is piling up, the litter box that needs changing, the dishes in the sink.  So...tomorrow...IT'S ON!!  :-)

If anyone is interested in learning about the Ultimate Blog Challenge...check out the website...Ultimate Blog Challenge.
It's really quite inspiring and helps to kick start your blog. (Note:  I'm not gettin' any kickbacks from mentioning the UBC...I just believe it's a wonderful thing :-)  )

Mama Needs a New Pair of Shoes......Or 12

Hi everyone!  Hop on over to Facebook asap and "like" the net-a-porter page!  They are running a promotional contest...if you like their Facebook page, you will get the opportunity to win a new pair of shoes EVERY month for a WHOLE YEAR!  The contest ends tomorrow night!  Net A Porter  bills itself as "the premier online luxury fashion retail site"....and it lives up to that title.  Okay.....I have to admit.....I can only afford to window shop...but it's so much fun to look at all of the designer clothes and accessories!  I also LOVE to browse their online magazine and watch the videos of fashion shows!  The woman who started Net A Porter was a mommy-to-be when she began the website....read more about her in this WSJ article.

Good Luck to everyone who enters the shoe contest!  We can all use some free designer shoes, right????

Cause Happiness

I was just perusing through an old handmade book I inherited from my great grandmother.  In the 1960's, some ladies at her church in Iowa presented her with this book of inspirational/witty sayings.  There is a saying for every day of the year.  I used to read this every day when I was a teenager.  It made me feel closer to my great grandmother (she passed away when I was 8) and helped me get through some tough times (my family was in the military and we moved what seemed like a million times..not an easy thing to do!!!).  These sayings are so great...some are Bible verses and some are just plain wise midwestern advice.  One of my favorites was this one.."Some cause happiness wherever they go, others when they leave".  I love it because it's funny, kinda sad, and so very true!  It's also something that makes one think....what kind of impression do I leave behind?  I'm mentioning this today because "causing happiness" is one of my top resolutions for the new year.  I want to be that type of person.  I know...it's corny.  But as I get older, I realize that complaining and being a negative person don't get you anywhere.  You attract what you give out.  So.....I resolve to be a more positive mommy and wife.  Sometimes my family sees the worst of me.  I know I will slip up.  I won't be as patient as I should be all the time, and I might complain every now and then!  But I really do want to show my best side and be the best person I can be....INSIDE as well as OUTSIDE of my home!  Wish me luck!  Have a wonderful New Year everyone!!