Two...Long....Years...

Wow! Has it really been OVER TWO years since I last visited my poor, lil' blog?  SO much has happened in my life that had changed my life permanently. Some good...some really, really bad. If I'm not careful, this could turn into a memorial blog! Ugh!

Let's start with the good in no random order all over the place!

Molly-Mae is an absolute blessing in our lives. She has quickly become Hendrix's sister & BFF. She was a rescue from the Harnett County Shelter....her "day" was the very next day after a friend of my sister's went and grabbed Molly-Mae and her brother out of there! Lisel saved their lives, no doubt!

Hendrix is doing great! Only I would have a pup with OCD!  The Prozac has worked wonders and life is good again! lol Go figure! He is my boy! 

Rich got another baby to love on. His best friend & his fiancee had Desmond a few months back. Sometimes I feel guilty because of how much he LOVES babies and kids and he never had the chance to be a dad...other than Dad #2 to Taylor and a furrydaddy to the babies. He really would have been an amazing one.

Rich & I had a good time this past Halloween being big kids! His was an 80s Rocker & I was his Groupie!

I donated 21 inches of my hair to Wigs for Kids in Memory of my Taylor. 

I was challenged by a friend of Facebook to post 5 photos that make me feel beautiful. The 5 I chose didn't necessarily highlight my "best" outer beauty, but to me, they represent the most beautiful things about my life: passionate love, great friends, inner peace and success/intellect/education.

Now for the not-so-good.

Presley Shane Passed away in March 2013 after a super quick illness. He was a tough little guy who didn't show pain. As soon as he started showing outward signs, we rushed him to the Vet and it was already too late. The doc thinks it was a tumor. He is missed so, so much by mom & dad, but even more so by his brother, Hendrix. 

In April, 2013, I held my beautiful, courageous, and very sick niece's hand as she left this world at age 17. Taylor was more like a daughter to me than a niece. She was also my best friend. She and I did everything together. Rich and I were talking and EVERY memory we have involves her in some fashion. I will be writing a separate post to not only explain what happened in or to raise awareness of proper blood collection procedures, but also to introduce to the amazing young lady. She will always, always have half of my heart. I am truly an incomplete person now. I have never felt this hollow and empty in my life. 

Taylor - Before her illness.

Taylor & Uncle Rich - the night she earned her Gold Belt.

Taylor & me when she was in the hospital.

Taylor & Mr. Williams - Earning her Black Belt 6 days before she died

I am going to try my best to breath some life back into this blog. I hope you will come along for the ride.

In Memory of my Best Friend: Lisa-Marie

This post is LONG overdue!  At around 3:30 am on December 26, 2012, I said good-bye to my very best friend.  Lisa-Marie was my furry baby, but she was also my faithful, loyal best friend.  Words cannot tell you how much I miss her.  My heart aches everyday.  I want to tell you about her, for those who never had the opportunity to meet her.  She was pretty fantastic!

My Beautiful Girl, Lisa-Marie

Lisa-Marie came into my life in September of 2003. She truly rescued me. Rich and I decided that Elvis, our amazing rat terrier, need a brother or sister.  He had been an only child (besides his rabbit sister, McKenzie) since we got him. So, we had been keeping our eyes...and hearts open to see who would choose us.

Lisa

On a Saturday morning, we decided to go to the SPCA of Wake County. I walked into the room with kennels on each side and began going down the left side.  I got about 2 cages in and dissolved into tears. All of these wonderful babies needing homes absolutely crushed me. Just to know that by not choosing a specific one, I was giving him/her a death sentence.  How is that fair?  Okay...I can't go into all of those feelings right now.  Let me just say before moving on, PLEASE SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PET AND DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SENSELESS KILLING OF THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS EVERY MONTH!!!! 

Lee-Bear

Anyway!  I played with a few through the cages and got lots of sloppy kisses.  The only thing we really had in mind was a dog who would remain under about 30lbs...just because Elvis was around 22, full grown. We made it to the end of the left side and started walking up the right.  We came to this kennel with a TON of brown fur snuggled up in the middle....with a tiny speck of black right, smack dab in the middle of the group.  Rich had just asked me what that was when that little black speck lifted her head and let out a huge yawn.  Folks, I fell HARD!  Her ears were full sized lab ears and her head was about the size of my fist.  I loved her. I wanted her. I had to have her. I didn't even know it was a her at the time!  We saw a sign on the cage that let us know they had all recently had surgery (spay/neuter). Rich asked me if I would at least like to hold her first before making a definite decision.  I told him no because i just knew that she would be my forever baby. I was meant to be her mommy...Rich was meant to be her daddy...she had, indeed, chosen us.

I'm going breeze through the adoption process because honestly, it was hell. Let's just put it this way, before it was over, a volunteer offered to hold "Satin", Lisa-Marie's name at the time, while I climbed the fence and put her in my car!  It took us 5 hours to adopt her and once I had her in my arms, I never set her down again. I could tell you SO many Lisa-Marie stories...I have tons of favorites so I am going to share a few.

Daddy making her cool!

Elvis hated his sister!  lol  He was a spoiled brat when she got home....I love that boy with all my heart, though.  Lisa-Marie WORSHIPED her brother.  She followed him around and wanted to just be with him. He finally came around, but her adoration for him was always apparent from the very beginning. Lisa-Marie grew like crazy, got into everything, and stole the hearts of her mom and dad in an instant! I wanted her to be a girly-girl, but she would never me one!  She was tough as nails, while being the biggest baby all at the same time.

Talking to Mama

  
Lisa-Marie slept with us from day 1.  The bed became hers and she would eat any furry critter that tried to think otherwise.  To be such a loving girl, she could also have a mood swing from hell.  Her and Elvis got into a few battles that caused both of them, along with daddy, to be put on antibiotics to prevent infection from teeth wounds.  Never anything serious, thank God! When Elvis had to go through Chemo treatments and had to be at the Vet all day, it was quite a homecoming when he returned. She would sniff him and kiss him all over as we tried to walk in the door. They were a great team, especially at the holidays. Elvis would open the gifts and Lisa-Marie would grab the toy and run!  She LOVED toys.  :)  Balls were her favorite thing in the world! I will never forget the first time she was given a squeaky ball! The way her eyes lit up when we held it in our hand and squeezed it was priceless. 

Snuggling with her brother - Lisa is on the left

Lisa-Marie was SO in tuned to my emotions. If I cried, she was right there making sure I was okay...all it took was a sniffle to upset her to no end. When my mom, dad, and sister each passed away, Lisa-Marie never left my side. That girl stayed in bed with me for hours, allowing me to cry until my heart couldn't cry anymore...she would press one cheek to one side of my face and place her paw on the other. Wow...I felt a huge tug at my heart as I typed those words. She had a profound impact on my life.

A VERY Happy Mama

When you would ask Lisa-Marie for a kiss, she would thrust her cheek to you for a kiss.  She LOVED to have her mom and dad lay their mouths against her cheek and making kissing noises while smooching her. She would give you a "high-five" with just a simple request. She could also turn the lights off on command. Her FAVE pastime was taking things back in forth to mom and dad. Daddy made a goof one day and gave her his phone and asked her to take it to mom...her brothers (Hendrix & Presley) were wrestling and tripped her. She almost dropped it so in order to get a better grip, she bit down a little too hard and it cracked the screen. She didn't drop the phone though!

Lisa snuggled in bed

Lisa-Marie had SO many nicknames and answered to ALL of them. Our pet sitter gave her the name, "Lee-Lee", Daddy gave her the name, "LeeBear" and "Ebony Princess", Mama called her "Baby Girl". She also answered to, "Bear", "Lee", "Boo-Boo", "Bear-Bear", and just "Lisa". The name Lee-Bear came from the grumbling noise she made when she was loving you.

Loving her Daddy

Lisa-Marie was called the "Miracle Dog" by Clayton Animal Hospital Staff. She developed a pinched nerve in her neck and was completely paralyzed for 3 months. She made a full recovery, thanks to her "Uncle Mike" who stayed with her while mommy and daddy were at work. She also had knee surgery that she amazed everyone after. She started "toeing" that same day and was walking the very next day. Mommy slept on the floor beside her on her twin-sized mattress for 3 months. We did this for the 3 years after she was healed because she wanted to sleep there and have it during the day.  Daddy soon got lonely shortly after she was better, so he went and got another twin mattress to go on the floor...this way we could all sleep together.  Whatever she wanted!

Receiving Treatment at Home During Paralysis

Loving on her Uncle Mike

Lisa's Pedicure courtesy of Uncle Mike

Lisa-Marie loved going for rides BUT she hated the Vet. She had to be carried in by her daddy and he held her the whole time.  Did I mention she was right at 70lbs?  :)  She was a big baby in that she sounded vicious when first meeting her, but if you ignore her for a few, within 5 minutes she was going to be bringing you a ball!  Lisa-Marie loved passionately...and fought passionately.

Pure Heaven

Lisa-Marie did things on HER terms...she could be a stubborn girl!  This included the way she died. It was on her terms. She had been getting a little "clumsy"...mommy noticed and was getting scared...this is how the paralysis started before.  Within a few days, she couldn't walk. She could move her legs, but it was as if she couldn't feel her front feet. We took her to the Vet and Dr. Beam came out to the car. She gave her steroids and we had pain meds so she would be comfy. We knew she couldn't go through 3 months of this again. It hurt her pride so badly last time...and aged her.  We decided that we would give her time to see if the steroids would help before making a decision. This was right before Christmas. Daddy took her to work with him...Uncle Mike went a couple days, Uncle Shea helped half a day, then Mommy went when I got off school for Christmas Break.  It took 2 of us to carry her outside to potty.

One of the last pics of my girl - at work with Daddy

Christmas Day, we decided that we weren't going to anyone's house even if that meant having Christmas with just out little family...Rich, the dogs, and me. That was the best decision we ever made. I was extremely emotional that day. I guess my gut knew what was coming. The days leading up to this, Lisa wasn't in pain. She was eating fine...get PLENTY of chews, and eating all the treats we would give her...even barking for us to give her one!  On Christmas Day, she wouldn't eat.  Each time she would drink, she would spit it up. Mommy and daddy started giving her ice chips a few at a time because steroids make you thirsty. She rested comfortably but wanted someone lying with her at all times.  I alternated between laying with her, kissing her head and her pushing back against my mouth to make the kissing noises and crying in the other room. She was so in tune to my emotions that I couldn't cry around her because she got upset. We would flip her over every hour so she wouldn't get sore (we had been doing this all along as well as the last time she went through this) and placing pillows between her front and back legs so she would be comfy. The last time we flipped her, it was around 3am. She had her head on the pillow and a pillow between each of her legs. She was nose to nose with her daddy and her brothers were at her head and feet. At around 4am, Rich told me something was wrong with Lisa. I asked what he meant. He informed me that he thought she had passed. I immediately got down on the floor beside her side of the bed and placed my head on her chest.  Our baby was gone. Her head still on the pillow, pillows still between her legs, and her brothers still lying in their respective spots beside her. She didn't make a sound...I could literally hear a little squeak from her and be jolted out of a deep sleep...that's just how I was with her.  My baby girl knew her Mama and Daddy had a hard decision to make and that was her last gift to us...she died in her sleep, with the people she loved...and loved her nearby. That is the only comfort I have in losing my baby. 

Mommy with her Labs

Lisa-Marie was so much more than "just a dog." It pisses me off to NO end to hear people say that.  I feel sorry for them because that means they have never known unconditional love...they have never been rescued by a furry critter...they have never known a love that could surpass any love felt by any man or woman...they have never experienced the sheer adoration that a loyal canine gives to his/her "Forever Person."  I can only pray that every single person in the world can experience this at least once in hi/her life.

Sitting up eating - Healing from paralysis

I have a huge hole in my heart...one that I don't ever think will be filled again. A part of me is with my baby and I will get that back one day when we meet again. Until then, Lisa-Marie, I will never, ever forget you...I will never ever forget the gratitude I feel in my heart right this very second for you having come into my life. I can only hope and pray that you got as much from me as I did from you.  If you did, your life was complete. I Love You, Lee.

My Very Best Friend

Sadness about Eggs...but with gratitude!

I have been getting my eggs from the same people for about the past 8 months or so.  I stumbled across their ad on a community website selling fresh eggs for a BUCK a dozen!  Regular, yucky, commercial eggs sell for more than that AND I usually pay about $3 a dozen for fresh eggs.  I hit the jackpot and had been buying 10 dozen at a time.  We use a lot of eggs because we both take them to work everyday for a great source of protein.  And according to the USDA, eggs stay good for MONTHS!  

Now for the sad part....they sold their chickens....sad, sad, sad.  I finally got in touch with them a little over a week ago and the guy said that although they have no more chickens, they still had lots of eggs and could hook me up.  These are two of the nicest people you'll ever meet.  He told me to come by that evening and they would make it happen.

All of my yummy eggs!

When I got there, they had my eggs (10 doz) ready to go.  As I tried to hand him a 10 dollar bill, he told me no, they're yours.  So, so kind!  That made me smile but I am still sad about the thought of having no more!  They had all kinds of breeds even Easter-Eggers which lay eggs in gorgeous hues of green.

Pretty, huh?

LOVING me some Purex Insiders and GIVEAWAY!

I became a purex insider quite some time ago!  They are the BEST!  I get free stuff from them all of the time!  I want to share the wealth!  I have 2 coupons for FREE laundry detergent!  With the economy in the shape it is, FREE is just my price!!  These coupons are for Purex's new detergent which I can honestly say works great!  I usually make my own laundry detergent, but when they sent me a coupon to try it for free, who could resist?  If you would like my recipe for detergent, I did a guest post here for Shopping Detox.  She's pretty funny!  Anyway....here's what you have to do to enter....

1) REQUIRED entry: Become a followers of my blog.  After you do so, leave a comment saying that you did!  If you already follow, just leave a comment telling me that!  Once you are following me, when I announce the winner, you will receive the post via email and be able to let me know that you acknowledge your win!  Then I can email you for your addy to snailmail the coupons!

2) For another entry, leave a comment telling me the top 3 things that you look for when purchasing detergent.

3) For a third entry, there is a contest going on through Purex Insiders. There is a $1,000 grand prize and fifty 2nd place winners will each receive $40 in gift cards.  As I mentioned I love this company and they are very honorable so I have no hesitation give you the link to click on to enter!  http://insiders.purex.com/soft-scrub?id=14227t Follow the link and enter to win for your third entry!  Leave a comment below telling me you have done so!

In all, you have THREE chances to win!  Since my blog is still in its infant stages, you have a VERY good chance!  lol You should be sure to leave a separate comment for each of the three entries.  I will randomly choose the winner using random.com at 10pm EST on Sunday, August 26, 2012.  Oh, and I just decided...if I have at least 50 entries, I will throw in a second prize of another coupon for free detergent!  Once I see some progress made with my readership, I will do LOTS more giveaways!  Tell you friends to enter!  I mean REALLY...what do you or them have to lose?!  :)  

Friendship Jar DIY Cheap but Chic Gift

I made a friendship jar for each of my friends who had surgery last year.  I had maybe $1.50 in the entire gift, but it was a hit with each of my friends as well as their families.  I was told by one of the family members that I was the most thoughtful person she had ever met.  That made me feel good. 

I enjoy giving gifts.  I always have.  Now that money is tight, I have to think outside of the box.  This can def be a good thing because instead of picking up something from the store to give to someone, 9 times out of 10 I'm gonna make it.  I can honestly say that every handmade gift I have ever given has been well-received.  I think the reason is the recipient knows more thought was put into other than shelling out a few bucks.

Anyway, here you will see original instructions and where I got the idea from.  I am going to post the directions to their original concept, but I'm going to tell you have I modified to fit my situation.

Both of my friends had gastric bypass surgery.  Having had the surgery myself in 2005, I know how much their lives are going to change.  With that being said, on each slip of paper I included in their jars I wrote a positive mantra that they could look forward to.  .
Here are some examples:

• Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
• Finding your size at thrift stores.
• NOT paying more for your clothing just b/c you can afford that extra cheeseburger!
• Fitting comfortably in a booth.
• Not checking the weight limit on everything you buy, stand on, sit on, etc.

There were many more that only obese or formerly obese people will get!  Anyway, each of my friends took the jar to the hospital to read the days after surgery when they were in pain.  They both told me that it helped them to get through the worst of it.  :)

Here's their original.

Materials:

• Decorative Jar with wide mouth I got mine @ Dollar Tree
• Ribbon or other embellishment
• Handwritten or computer generated positive words on slips of paper  I used small pieces of cardstock and decorated them with stickers
• Paper  See above
• Pen or Computer with printer  For above
• Scissors or Fiskars Personal Trimmer  I used the scissors that cut in the cutesy patterns-$1 each!

Instructions:

1. You can find fun jars at thrift shops and garage sales, you just want a wide mouth jar so it’s easy to put your slips of paper in and out of the jar. You can tie ribbon or embellish the jar with your favorites.
    
2. Handwritten messages: Cut slips of paper with scissors or personal trimmer. You can use one color of paper or use several, personalize this to the event or person getting the Friendship Jar. Write out positive words or statements. For example if this is for a special aunt you could write out all the things you love about her from her pretty smile to her fabulous chocolate chip cookies. Fold up the slips of paper and place in jar. I always recommend handwritten notes because the message and words just seem more unique written by you!
    
3. Computer generated messages: This is easy and quick, and if you are a neat freak using a computer will make you happier. Have fun and play with fonts and font size! Write out positive messages and words like described in Step 2. Print. Using your scissors or personal trimmer cut into slips of paper, fold, and place in jar!

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Gifts-in-a-Jar/Friendship-Jar/ml/1#46aCRl3v0PRSDGjL.99

Friendship Jar - Used from Favecrafts.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unusual and Frugal Uses for Peanut Butter

I have to start by saying...I LOVE peanut butter!  I can eat it by the spoonful straight outta the jar...Oh, and "fluffer-nutter sammies...HEAVEN!  ;)  Listverse.com has some rather "different" uses for peanut butter.  I would have to make sure I didn't eat it all before using it.  Have you ever tried any of their tips??  Check it out...

www.graphicshunt.com

• To lubricate things....GET YOUR MIND OUTTA THE GUTTER!  Hmphf!  They recommend using it on lawn mower blades that begin to get rusty.  I will say, even when I don't have WD-40 on hand, I promise I have PB!
• Giving your puppers meds.  We do this and it is awesome!  We started all of our guys young taking their meds w/ PB.  Now, it's a treat for them to get things like Benedryl!
• In place of butter in recipes.  It gives a yummy, background flavor!  Yummm!
• Bait for Mousetraps...it's a wives' tale that mice like cheese.  They will come for PB instead.  I have to say, I have a problem sharing my PB with the rats!
• To remove sticky tags from surfaces...like that price tag right on the front of the mirror you buy at the store of yard sale!  Ugh!  Just smear a little PB on the spot with a rag and rub off!
• To make your house smell good after cooking fish...yeah, seriously!  Put a couple of tablespoons in a frying pan and fry it down for a couple of minutes.  Of course, I would worry about playing hell trying to clean the pan!!
• To polish leather furniture.  You know, I LOVE PB, but I don't know that I want my couch smelling like it simple b/c my dogs would eat my furniture!  They say to mix a tiny bit of perfume oil in it to combat this...sounds like work to me...but anyway, wax on, wax off!
• As THE main ingredient for cookies...I know, when I first read this, i was like DUH!  But what they are referring to is a recipe using PB with NO flour...sounds good to me. Check it out!  I would add a splash of vanilla extract to this recipe...as a matter of fact, I may make these tonight for my niece in the hospital.  :)
• To remove gum from your hair or the carpet...this is great for moms!
• In place of shaving cream.  Pls make sure it is CREAMY and not crunchy..ouch!  They say the oils in PB actually soften the skin as well.  Try it and let me know.  lol

http://burnsidewriterscollective.blogspot.com

Have you ever used PB as something other than an edible?  Let me know!  

Octopus Bento...complete w/ seashells ;)

Yes, I know what everyone says about the effects of food dyes and such.  I refuse to live in fear over everything I enjoy.  We do eat relatively health as a whole, but there are certain things we do enjoy.  Life is too short to get rid of everything that makes you smile....so, I will continue to use my food coloring! :)

Okay...now that we have THAT out of the way...THE OCTOPUS BENTO!  This one was fun for me!  As I said before, I enjoy making them because Rich truly appreciates them!  So....without further ado....

Beginning on the top left: Homemade Tie-dyed cupcake complete with a hibiscus pick with whale crackers, below that is a boiled egg shaped as a fish, decorated with my edible markers, and yes, dyed blue!  In the large compartment is where all of the magic happens...LOL...kidding...anyway...I made a quick, homemade mac n' cheese using mini shell pasta, Parmesan and Monterey Jack Cheeses, and a little milk...I cooked the noodles w/ blue water.  On top of the shell ocean are 2 hot dog octopuses with faces frawn on w/ edible markers.  This is decorated w/ a parasol toothpick and a pink flamingo pick. 

The Cupcake

Octopuses...or is it Octopi?  Haha!

Oh My Stars! Bento :)

So, Rich's Monday Bento ended up lasting him through Tuesday because he has been SO busy at work!  I just finished making his Bento for Wednesday (tomorrow) and I like it!  Here is Monday/Tuesday's Bento, Oh My Stars!!

Beginning at Top, Left then proceeding clockwise:  Star and heart-shaped watermelon bites with a cute, sword pick, Vanilla Yogurt with a star-shaped dollop of my homemade "Kitchen Sink" jam (several diff fruits), Crinkle cut cucumbers and carrots (more about these is a minute) with a star/music pick, and finally a star-shaped boiled egg that I wrote on with edible markers.

 

About the crinkle-cut veggies...This past Saturday my family had a picnic get together.  One of the things I brought was a big bowl of fresh veggies with ranch for dipping.  I cut the veggies using my Pampered Chef crinkle cutter which made little wave-like patterns in the veggies.  I want you to know that the kids were all amazed by the veggies and 3/4 of them were eaten by the kids!  Some had only veggies on their plates instead of hot dogs and chips!!  Goes to show that we eat w/ our eyes FIRST!

How did you start off your work week?  What did you have for lunch??  How do you get your kids to try new things without a fight?

What's in Rich's Bento _ Friday Edition!

A little late here...sorry!!  My guy had a really sucky week last week so I wanted to make him an extra special Bento!  It drew TONS of comments on Facebook (he's cute bc he always takes a pic and posts it). Here is my guy's bento from this past Friday:

Top left: Watermelon from my sister's garden cut into heart and star shapes with a few pieces of a sprite melon underneath, below that is a bear-shaped boiled egg(Rich's daily staple). In the big section, he has a mini star-shaped ham and colby cheese sammie with a homemade peanut butter/choc chip/oatmeal cookie on top. Right beside that is an oatmeal/raisin pawprint. In back, is a mini cheese biscuit and beside that are 2 picks of black olives and colby cheese cubes, all topped off with an Mini Iron Man gummy! :) This is what he eats on throughout the day, hence the variety of things! I think he also brought a dab of homemade chicken orzo from last night. :)  He is holding up the note that I tucked into it the night before so he would find it when he got to work!

 

This made me laugh....

He posted this on Facebook and his caption said, "In case y'all are wondering, it was good!"  I like how he truly appreciates my efforts.  Makes me enjoy doing it for him!

What's in your lunchbox for Monday-Monday??

Guest Post at SHopping Detox: How to Make Your OWN Laundry Detergent AND GIVEAWAY INFO

Hey, y'all!  First of all, I have been told that "just because we don't follow doesn't mean we don't read."  I understand that, but I have been collecting lots of FREE STUFF to do a giveaway.  ALL I need is 30 people following!  When I do, I will randomly choose one of those following...maybe even 2 because I think I have plenty of "stuff"! 

Anyway, I did a guest post for Annabella over at Shopping Detox while she is on vacation.  It is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own laundry detergent!  EASY!  CHEAP!  a couple of pennies a load!  So, if you're here from her blog, WELCOME!!  If you come here first, visit her blog and check out my article...and the other posts as well!  She is a trip and writes like you are sitting there talking to her.

So...make you some laundry detergent to save some money AND get rid of funky chemicals THEN follow my blog....OR go ahead and follow first, then make your detergent!  Let me know how it goes!!

STARBUCKS FREEBIE Friday, July 13th

July 13, Noon to 3 p.m. 

 

Enjoy a free Tall (12 fl. oz.) handcrafted Starbucks Refreshers™ beverage at participating stores. No purchase necessary. Limit 1 per person. 

 

Love me some FREEBIES!

Bananas:  Love 'em or hate 'em!  I LOVE them!  Did you know there are TONS of things you can use them for besides eating??  Bananas are so cheap so this intrigued me! After reading an article on Care2, I chose my fave ones to tell you about!

Bananas can be used to treat dry, damaged hair.  For the scoop on how to do it, check out THIS article

Who doesn't want whiter teeth?  Bananas are a natural whitener!!  Rub banana peel on your teeth for about two minutes every time you brush! 

This time of year, bugs are out full force!  Rub some banana peels on the bites to alleviate the itch.

Potassium also helps with the healing process for cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

Splinters stink!!  I'll have to tell my splinter story one day that ended in an ER trip (thanks, sis)!! If you press banana peels onto the splinter, the fruit’s natural enzymes will work to get that thing right outta there!

Bananas are a perfectly safe, healthy treat for your furrybaby!

To save on the hips when you have an ice cream craving, simply blend a frozen solid banana in a food processor or blender. You’ll be surprised how much it tastes like soft-serve ice cream!

 

Dried and ground banana peels make an awesome mulch for seedlings and new plants.

There are TONS more tips for using bananas in your daily life! Did I miss any really good ones?  What things have you used bananas for besides just for eating?

FREE ZonePerfect Bar

This is totally FREE!!  Limit ONE per person, THREE per household!  Go HERE and simply fill in your mailing info and choose 1 of the 3 flavors.  FREE is always good!!

Thursday's Bento...a Day Late!

Yep...I'm late but what can I say?!  Rich had a pretty simple bento yesterday.  He is a tad bit picky so it's tough at times.  I love him no less, though!!  Hubby took the pic at work so I apologize for anything you can't see very well!  Here we go....

Starting in the large compartment in my $1 lunch container with built-in utensils on the lid:  Heart and flower shaped cukes with a cute heart pick in the white silicon muffin cup (Dollar Tree - huge pack for a buck), a Tony's Ham & Cheese stuffed Sammie (I wrote his nuking instructions on it w/ marker so he'd know), bunny rabbit-shaped boiled egg.  Filling in the spaces around it all are 2 Hershey's Kisses and a handful of mixed nuts.  In the smaller compartment I put a cut up Gala Apple (sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning - and it held up nicely from the previous night when I made it) and a little container of Cookie Butter underneath to dip the apples in.  All topped off with a cute flag/star pick from a big pack of stuff from Big Lots!  Cheap is good!  Rich loves to have a boiled egg each day....I'm happy to oblige because it is great, lean protein!

There ya have it!  :)  Oh, I'm going to include a cute pick from a couple of weeks ago.  My niece, Taylor, and I decided to try our hand at homemade sushi.  I really wish I liked it!  Tay and Rich thought it was yumm!

It's pretty, though!  It had avocado, cucumber, and red bell pepper in it (if I am remembering correctly)!

Have an awesome weekend!!  Oh, btw, my birthday is coming up on Monday...know what I want for my bday?  More followers!  Help a sister out!  :)

Peace!
Joy

What's Rich's Bento??

I crashed Tuesday night!  Hendrix (my youngest lab) snuggled up to me and we were out!  I woke up at around 4amish and realized I had not made Rich's bento!  Being the wonderful wife I am, I got up and made it so he would have it for breakfast/snack/lunch!  Check it out!  I am always, always looking for new, simple bento ideas...please lend me your creativity in the comment section!

Large section: Cute lil' guitar container w/ 4 Hershey's kisses in it, a Teddys Grahams soft paw cookie/muffin thingie with a mini homemade granola bar underneath, homemade flour tortilla half with ham and cheese inside. The smaller sections: top- a few GINORMOUS grapes with heart-shaped cucumber slices underneath.  And finally, a homemade blueberry/cream cheese muffin. I Used the last precooked boiled egg yesterday (which Rich usually has in these for protein), but I am boiling more today! ♥  I try to boil 8-12 at the beginning of each week to use for lunches.  I didn't this week bc I still had a few leftover from last week...there are more now!  They were mint and olive green eggs!  These are laid by Easter Egg Chickens!  ;)

FREE Stuff for What you would do anyway???

So, I am a SKEPTIC!  When I first heard about SWAGBUCKS, I was in COMPLETE denial that folks would give me something for not doing anymore work.  I am SO glad to say that I was WRONG!  Here is a list of things I have "purchased" through Amazon.com using ONLY gift certificates used that I earned FREE from SwagBucks:

Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio Digital Recorder (Rich's Christmas Present)

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $119.95 Shipping & Handling: $6.58   ----- Total Before Tax: $126.53

Sanyo HPS-SG3 200-Square-Inch Electric Indoor Barbeque Grill, Black (My Birthday Present)

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $39.99 Shipping & Handling: $10.30 Super Saver Discount: -$10.30   ----- Total Before Tax: $39.99

Honeywell 16216 HEPA-Type Replacement Filter for 16200 Desktop Air Purifier

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $9.00 Shipping & Handling: $4.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $13.99

Sinus Rinse Refill Packets 100 Ea

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $11.09 Shipping & Handling: $4.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $16.08

On a Dollar a Day: One Couple's Unlikely Adventures in Eating in America, Christopher Greenslate, Kerri Leonard

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.85 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.84

The Scent of Rain and Lightning: A Novel, Nancy Pickard

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $2.46 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $6.45

The Tightwad Gazette III: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle, Amy Dacyczyn

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $3.48 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $7.47

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table (Random House Reader's Circle), Ruth Reichl

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $3.65 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $7.64

For You Mom, Finally, Ruth Reichl

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.06 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.05

Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.01 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.00

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, Dave Ramsey

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $7.65 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $11.64

Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It, Participant Media, Karl Weber

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $1.21 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $5.20

Before He Wakes: A True Story of Money, Marriage, Sex and Murder, Jerry Bledsoe

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.01 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.00
HOLY CRAP!  I didn't realize until I just did all of that copying and pasting from my Amazon account that I had earned that much stuff!!  That's right at...what...$300 of stuff that costs me NOTHING!! 

Here's how it works:  You use the SwagBucks search engine like you would "google" or whatever one you use, and you are awarded sporadic bucks for searching whatever you normally would.  This could be 7 bucks or 30 bucks a pop!  They have a store online where you redeem your bucks for TONS of stuff (kinda like earning tickets at the arcade) for various "prices".  The only thing I EVER buy are $5 Amazon gift cards.  They costs me 450 bucks and I buy them, wait for them to appear in my SwagBucks account, then I copy and paste the card number into my Amazon account.  I save up for various things I want.  Right now, I think I have around $30 in my Amazon account that will NEVER expire!  If I can STOP buying books, my goal is to earn enough for a new Keurig coffee maker!  NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!  I even added the SwagBucks toolbar to my internet window so I always have the search box available.  I never type in web addresses...I use that search box so I can earn bucks!  There are tons of ways to earn more as well.  I usually have Rich logged in on our home computer because he signed under me and when his account earns bucks for searching, I earn them too!

SPECIAL RIGHT NOW:  sign-up code “SummerSocial” for a 70 Swag Buck bonus upon registration.  This will allow you to start out with 100 Swag Bucks already in your account – 70 for the sign-up code and the 30 everyone starts with.  This code is only good for NON-MEMBERS and expires Thursday, June 28th at 5pm PDT.  The link below will allow me to earn bucks when you earn them for searching which helps me reach my goal.  I have been a member for probably a year and a half and I wish I would have known about it sooner!  If you have questions or question the validity, please asks me!!

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/PirateGirl342

NEW Look and Need some Inspiration...Giveaway??

Hey, y'all!  Just wanted to take a sec and brag mention my new look.  I am proud of my work because I usually SUCK at this sort of stuff!  I kinda like it!  The only thing driving me CRAZY is the fact that the logo is off-center and blogger will not cooperate with me to fix it!  sigh....

I need your help!  I know I would update more frequently if I had more followers...I have lots to say...ask my hubby!  lol  Anyway, I truly appreciate those of you who have subscribed...makes me smile!  Anyway you can pimp me out to your friends??  I may be coerced into to doing a first-ever (for me) givaeaway if I can hit...umm....maybe 50 followers? 

Along that same note, hubby and I had to switch around some internet stuff and I lost ALL of my bookmarks.  I am SO dependent on my bookmarks.  One of the very first blogs (maybe even the first) I started reading is by J, who I kinda feel like I know!  Now, I can't find either of her blogs!!  J, if you read this, could you PLEASE send me via email or via comment the link(s) to your blog(s)?  Please and thank you!

Now, get to pimping me out!  LOL

Summer Bento Blog Hop Inspiration....I LOVE the Beach!

SO, I was inspired today by a Blog Hop that went on today among the Bento Bloggers.  Since today is the first day of summer, they decided to have a hop around that theme.  I was VERY impressed!  My fave item was a bunch of miniature marshmallows on sticks (pretzels) that the artist had actually roasted over the gas burner on the stove!!  How cool!?

Since I LOVE summer...for obvious reasons (I'm a teacher), I figured I would create one for Rich using the same theme.  He has had a Bento every day this week, but I must say that they haven't revolved around a theme.  I am excited to show mine off to you!

Starting at the top left and going clockwise, we have the ocean which is made of blue vanilla yogurt, a starburst sun, a Werther's Chewy SeaGull, and cookie crumb sand.  Next, there are 3 Beach Balls made out of circle I cut out of bread with the top of a medicine bottle.  Then I used edible markers to color in the triangles.  These are Cookie Butter sammies.  The middle consist of a tiny red chocolate candy that I dug out of a jar of misc sprinkles.  These are accented by an orange Hibiscus Flower pick and a mini umbrella!  Below that you simply have some "Whales" which are Dollar General's brand of Goldfish.  Aldi carries "sharks" as their brand.  Finally, you have a little fishy boiled egg.  Hubby was impressed!  I also had a pink flamingo pick in the whales but it disappeared before the picture!

A close up of the ocean scene and beach balls.

You should try "bentoing" because if I can do it, anyone can!  I had a CRAPPY day and I just focused my energy on this for a few and believe it or not, it helped!  Whatcha think of my creation??  I also need some theme ideas. 

EASY, Frugal Replacement for Canned Cream of Soup

Have you ever read the ingredients on a can of Campbell's Cream of....Soup?  I hadn't until today...Wow!  Lately I have been paying more attention to WHERE my food comes from and WHAT unnecessary ingredients are in it, in other words, what words can I pronounce??  According to the Campbell's Food Service website, a can of Cream of Chicken Soup consists of:

Chicken Stock, Water, Vegetable Oil, Modified Food Starch, Wheat Flour, Cream (Milk), Contains Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Dehydrated Cooked Chicken, Soy Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutamate, Chicken Fat, Yeast Extract, Flavoring, Beta Carotene for Color, Chicken Flavor, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oil, Butter (Milk).

I started by trying to figure out what some of the ingredients were that didn't sound like stuff I eat!

Modified food starch is a chemically altered food ingredient made from starch. Because many starches may contain gluten or have been contaminated with gluten, be on the look out for this ingredient in many of the foods sold today if you are eliminating gluten from your diet.

How It's Made

There are numerous ways that food starch can be modified; the method varies based on the starch itself and on what it will be used for. These are some methods of producing a modified starch:

• Treating it with acid
• Roasting it
• Treating it with sodium hydroxide
• Treating it with potassium hydroxide
• Adding a positive electrical charge
• Treating it with emulsifiers
• Treating it with starch ether 

What the hell??  Okay....moving along...Next...

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label. 

According to the truth in labeling, the risks associated with ingestion of (or even contact with) monosodium glutamate and other ingredients that contain MSG are simple and straightforward:

Brain damage

Endocrine disorders (obesity and reproductive disorders)

Behavior disorders

Adverse reactions      

            Neurodegenerative disease

Next.... 

Chicken Fat ...Umm....YUCK!!!  I throw all of that away when I cook and debone chicken!!

Next...

A known side effect of ingesting beta carotene is a yellow or orange discoloration of the skin. Commonly, this discoloration is found in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/528786-can-beta-carotene-change-your-skin-color/#ixzz1yG4ZymL5

Ummm...now I'm gonna turn orange (like Snookie) for eating soup??  OMGosh!

 

Okay, I'm done!  There are almost 20 ingredients in that can of soup, which I use to add to various recipes, so that would mean my casserole has around 5,967 (may be an exaggeration) ingredients?!?  This led me to wonder if I could just make it myself.  Literally seconds after typing "Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe" into my search engine, I had a 3 minute recipe for it.  I just made the equivalent of 5 cans of the stuff to throw in the freezer while I was heating up leftover chicken and rice for my (and the dogs') lunch.  I boiled a chicken Sunday to use for the dogs meals as well as some chicken and rice that I had been craving.  I always add the ingredients along with the chicken so I can use the stock simply because...I'm cheap, not to mention homemade chicken broth tastes SO much better!  I ended up getting 4, 3-cup containers of chicken stock and 5 "cans" (1.5 cups each) of Cream of Chicken Soup just by using what would have been thrown away from my boiled chicken.  I wanted to share my cheap and easy recipe with you...well, technically I adapted it from a recipe on milehimama's website.  Anyway, let me know what you think!  

Cream of Chicken Soup
Put 2 T butter in a pan.  Melt it.
Add 2 T of flour.  Stir it around until the flour is absorbed and it is starting to clump, about 1 minute.
Add 1 C of chicken broth/milk mixture.  A note about this:  I made a larger quantity than what this recipe makes so I ended up using 4 parts chicken stock to 1 part milk.  This is to your liking.  I did add a little more water as it thickened, but I think that's because it is in my nature to deviate from recipes! :) Whisk it in and heat until smooth. If you stir in a little liquid at a time, letting the flour absorb it, it helps to keep lumps from forming.  Cook and stir about 3 minutes, until smooth and heated through.  The longer you cook the thicker it will get.  Salt to taste.  You can add chicken bits if you like.  DONE!  How many ingredients did that use??  Butter, flour, water, stock, milk?  5??  We could even break the stock down farther but it would still be less than half AND they would be REAL food ingredients!  

Variations:
Cream of mushroom – cook up some chopped mushrooms in the butter, then sprinkle with the flour and proceed.  I'm making this sometime this week as well.
Cream of celery – soften finely chopped celery in the butter, then proceed.


I APOLOGIZE FOR THE FORMATTING!  BLOGGER IS LOSING ITS MIND!!