Free Chocolate!

What is better than free chocolate on Fridays? Thanks to The Mommy Files I get to share this with you.
Every Friday, through the end of September, Mars is giving away up to 4 FREE candy bars per household to the first 250,000 who register. Good Luck!

Another giveaway...see the post below this one or click on my "giveaway" tab above.

Book Giveaway....

I have something to giveaway. I received a book through GoodReads. As promised, I did a review on my GoodReadspage. Now, I want to share this book with someone. Next Friday, August 7th, I will pick the winner. You can enter once a day until the 7th. (Just leave a comment...let me know what kind of books you like, say hello, tell me a joke....whatever.)

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffen.

The cheating/hurting someone else thing has been done so many times, right. At first, I didn't like the idea of it...I also know that it can be played out in many ways, so with an open mind I started to read.

Emily Giffin writes like your best friend talks. Well, not everyone gets into the same situation as Rachel, (Let's hope not!) the main character, but her voice is one you have heard. There was very good character development and enough detail without the "babbling brooks" or "her skin felt like velvet", you know what I am talking about. Real feelings and attitudes. The good girl wins and loses, gains strength and feels the pain, most of us can relate. If you can't, I still think you'll enjoy the book.

To be honest, it was because of Emily's writing that I couldn't put the book down. I was totally sucked in from the start. 322 pages of small font and I wanted more.

Friday Foto Finish Fiesta

One of my phavorite phurry phriends....
Puppy Sam


Still a puppy, but not in size

peacock or peahen

Pizza

A normal post...

Last night after watching Revolutionary Road, (an emotionally perplexing 2 hours) I wanted to "talk" with my husband. I was hoping to talk through some of the emotions that the movie evoked. (Please tell me you felt the same way, wow.) A tender summer breeze was caressing our tanned skin as we snuggled on the couch. I turned to face the man I love. He wore a sincere smile. My heart went pitter patter....

Wait one minute, I know that smile. It's the smile he gets when watching, The Family Guy. Sigh. He was busted....I am exaggerating. (Insert giggles)

It was so funny. I really did insist on talking after the movie and he did agree. Some how the channel was changed and the catchy theme music for the show caused us both to sing along. (I am here to admit that I do watch the show to bond with my husband. I am often offended as well as entertained. You too would know the theme song if you had to bond with your husband this way. I am also pretty lucky that he will sit through some of my "girlie" shows in which he can sing those theme songs.)

It was around 11:30 and I was off to read in bed. He was off to the kitchen to make a pizza- WHAT. Yes, a pizza. My thighs got bigger just thinking about it. While my mouth was watering at the idea somehow the word "NO" came out. We went back and forth, if he baked a cheese pizza than I could have ONE slice, one and only one. If he baked a meat pizza I wouldn't be tempted. I though we had decided on my one piece of the cheese. Patiently....I began reading, all the while imagining the soft cheese being pulled from each and every bite I would take. I was going to eat it slow, enjoy every morsel of the One piece. I would have some remorse after no doubt, but who can say no to cheese pizza? Any, I did run earlier in the day and I had a lite dinner. (Say what needs to be said all in the name of yummy cheese pizza.)

The oven opens the smell of pizza fill every room. I think I hear the people in the apartment above me stir. (Not really) I hear him cutting the one piece for me. I hear him walking into the family room....wait that isn't the right direction.....Me- "Ummmm honey, could you bring me my piece". (My legs are not broken, I wanted to feel like a Princess.) His reply, "Ummmm hon, you do not eat meat...." Me- "Ummmmm h-o-n-e-y, what are you talking about we decided on a cheese pizza." Him- "Ummmm no we didn't. You said forget it." Did I actually say NO out loud? Plus, when did he start listening to me?

It was then that I rolled over, screamed into the pillow. I think there was a kick or two in that moment of fits. My husband who can eat a cow and nogt gain weight was sucking done a pizza and I was gnawing on a wheat-zucchini-raisin muffin.

One of those days.....

I was having "one of those days". They are usually difficult days when the sun makes obscure retreats at the most inopportune time. Or, when a cold breeze wraps around my warm body, while sayings something negative. A day of random thoughts.

This time I was questions things about myself. Sigh.... I made a comment to my friend...."I don't feel fun". Our conversation quickly ended with a slight tilt of her head and puckered lips...."You're kidding, right." I wasn't, but I guess that answered my question.

Later that day, I received a phone call, before I could talk I heard her (my friend) rattling off lists of "fun" things that I have said and done.

Less than a week later, (today) on a very gloomy day, (that I am enjoying) I opened my mailbox to find a handmade card, (insert a happy face here)... with a very special message reminding me that I am "Fun".


Although, that random thought came and went without a lot of brewing... I'm glad I said it out loud. Say something that you are wondering out loud today....see what happens.

Wordless Wednesday...the zoo

Umm, I think it's the lighting, but my arm looks huge, 1/2 fat and 1/2 muscle mania...as in lifting small cars huge. Not so puurrrty! I know it is Wordless Wednesday. I know what wordless means...can you blame me? Off to do some push-ups and log tossing. Better yet, how about a Slim Fast.

Focus on the giraffes! (I'll be stewing in the corner...you get to enjoy the photos.) Hee! Hee!

***CoGraTs to Jeanne for being the winner of "Orange Poppies" and thank you Rachel for the great giveaway!

Birthday party...

As the lights illuminated the dark sky, I grasped for all the air I could. Blowing out the candles as another year was being tucked away with memories, I remembered to make a wish. With closed eyes, I blew my desires in the air.

Old friends and new, family and loved ones decked out in 80's fashion danced the night forward into morning. Or, until the police came because the music was too loud. Rebels...

It was a great birthday!

( I was Jennifer Beals from "Flashdance".....In the photo: Homecoming queen 1989, Me/Jennifer, Madonna and Baby from Dirty Dancing)



Do you like to dress up? What was your favorite costume?

Wordless Wednesday...Freckles!

I heart freckles and the little girl who has them.


CLICK HERE for my "you pick" Little Bits of Heaven Print Shop giveaway!!! You will receive an extra entry today...just type W.W. in the comment box.

No Doubt... carrot or cupcake

Have you ever had someone dangle a carrot in front of you? O.k. a carrot might not be the right thing to dangle...let's change that to a cupcake. Have you ever had some dangle a cupcake in front of you? My sister, who lives 6 hours from where I am currently staying, invited me to the No Doubt concert.(Gwen Stephani)Tomorrow! (She talked about it on Sunday.) It was a very nice offer. It's playing the carrot/cupcake in my thoughts. Constantly. Did I mention the seats are within spitting distance of the stage? Not that I would do such a thing...I'm just trying to provide the agonizing details. Luxuries like this are rarely offered. I am only human wanting to go, right.

Mean while, I have looked into every type of ticket possible...... I am done. I just needed to talk about it. I think this will make me feel better. I hope this will make me feel better. It's not working just yet......

What carrot/cupcake has been dangled in front of you? ? ? I can not wait to hear your story.

Don't forget to enter my "you pick" photo from Little Bits of Heaven Print Shop . CLICK HERE to check it out!

Sunday

Happy Sundae....with a cherry on top!


CLICK HERE to enter my "You Pick" photo giveaway.

Smore (Some more) news....

The cottage.

Bartholomew Lake greeted us with small waves...big hugs and lots of love.
Bags, boardgames, badminton, books, boating and baseball filled the scarcely sun lite day.


Nightfall arrived with bangs and booms. Pyrotechnic displays of celebration litter the sky, bouncing off the water and into my dreams as I lay my head down. Restless or jolted to an aware frame of mind, I found this.......

The Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.


Happy 4th of July!



Additional words:
Celebrations then and now

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.
It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.
— John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776 (referring to the day before, when the resolution for independence was passed)

Quacking up....

Some outings are worth a photo....
Driving down the road the other day.