Mailbox Madness, I mean Happiness

I am BEHIND (Not: I am a behind) on posting about a few mailbox treats. I really never thought about mail until I left home. My mom has always been my heaven sent postal fairy. "Good Mail" didn't find me until last fall while nestled into a hillside deep within the Boise National Forest, surrounded by ponderosa pine and elk.

I recently joined a few swaps. One was for Valentine's Day to conquer my heart phobia. Diane my swap partner sent me a box filled with love-ly dove-ly, pitter patter, yummy in my tummy Valentine items. LOVED IT. Big thanks with x's & o's.



Then, Dandelion Wishes (such a fun blog) hosted a "Favorite Things" swap. This is where I met my cool, sassy, creative and super generous friend Scrappy Sue from New Zealand.
She sent me a lot of her favorite things that are now a few of my favorite things. My eco friendly bag was already come in handy. My lips sparkle as I leave for work. I have had the best chocolate treats for breakfast the last two mornings. THANKS Scrappy Sue and Dandelion Wishes for the mail box fun.



I received a very sweet card from a friend at home! (Thanks P.L.) Jill at Creative Musings & Such, sent me a card with a photo of the gift I sent her. Crafty and cute- Thanks Jill. Love the happy hot pink envelope....


Lots of loven to my mama who sent me some hard to find food that I like and some other goodies. Nothing says love like Combos and Zataran's- Red beans and rice.


Side note:
Get yourself some purty feet...Click here to be a part of my give-a-way!!!

Later gators......

Freebies, Give-A-Ways and Good Stuff...

I am really excited about my bloggy makeover.
Let's celebrate this fun occasion with a giveaway.

As I have mentioned before I am an at home sales consultant for The Body Shop. One day I inquired, twelve later I received three boxes full of products and training materials. Within a few weeks, I set up a "girls night out" (GNO) with a few friends. Sitting outside with 5 ladies I made money.... yup, that easy. I started small and stayed small, but the sky really is the limit.

This Body Shop giveaway is a step in the right direction.....

Get those winter toes ready for spring by soaking them in Peppermint Foot Soak. This 7.0 oz container makes for many soothing and deodorizing spa experiences in your own home. Once you have soaked your feet they are ready for the large pumice stone. Sluff away months of "boot feet", dry them, then lather them with Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion (8.4 oz.) This is a customer favorite for the last fourteen years...a must have for summer. All these items fit nicely inside the roomycanvas cosmetic bag.

How do you win:
Tell me....after The Body Shop items work their magic what color nail polish would you put on them?
For an additional entry, just start to follow my blog or you can just stalk me. Whatever tickles your tootsies.
*Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

*Semi important stuff.
This Annonandon sponsored gift-a-way is open to United States and my new Canadian homies. The final day to enter is Sunday, March 22, 2009. I will then e-mail the lucky winner. You will have only 3 days to claim your prize before I move on to the next person.



If you are a little curious about becoming an at home consultant let me know. I will email you the info, you can read it and if you want to know more, email me again. You control the situation.

New...New...New...

Welcome to my new blog!!! (This is my Friday Photo Finish Fiesta...)

The audience is on their feet clapping fervently. Arms full of roses. I cast my eyes down and bow to show appreciation. A quick tap on the microphone..."May I have your attention? I would like to thank Sara. It is her creative mind and patience that has produced this crafty blog. I am so excited and hope all of you like it." I step away with a smile on my face while happy blogging thoughts swirl in my head....

Sara at Subjective Beauty....is amazing! From the first conversation to the final product she has been open to all my ideas, even when they made no sense at all. She fit me into her busy schedule and made me feel like I was her #1 priority.
If you are thinking about changing your blog big or small, I promise you she can do it.

I will have a new blog kick off tomorrow afternoon! You will not want to miss this "Grand Opening"......

*Thanks again Sara.

Cafe Babylon

A friend invited me to a Stitch & Bitch. Let us remember the last time I picked up knitting needles they ended up in the wall of the Idaho mobe. Refresh your memory here. Now, add French. For obvious reasons I am enjoying the wireless internet, while casually casting evil eyes at the talent surrounding the table. For all they know I have bad eye sight and need to squint....with daggers. (Sinister laugh followed by an honest sad sigh.)

The top of my tights are digging into my ample mid section creating unusual rolls both on top of the elastic and below. I am one sexy kitten. Meow! Gag! Casually I tucked my tummy under the table. My thoughts drift to accidentally breaking my P90X cd's. I know it hasn't been very long and I am not 100% consistent (90% is close), but I honestly thought I would see some improvement.

I am attempting to speak in French tonight. (A chorus of crickets have started chirping at my end of the table.) The waiter played along with my unforgiving French. I thought (key word) I ordered a glass of white wine and a Pellegrino. Tipping the tray upon his arrival I had a healthy serving of vodka on ice and a glass of vin blanc (white wine), a Pellegrino and a bottle of wine. Hummmm.... maybe I shouldn't order in French, ever again!

After getting over that ridiculous error and my cheeks started to return to their natural color. We held our glasses to celebrate our gathering, three people said sante' and one said "salud". I sunk lower into my chair. A nervous giggle (in English...hee hee) squeaked through my trembling lips.

I really wanted to order a dessert, but refrained. I would most likely end up with a medium rare steak.

The exposed brick walls adorned with local art, the cabinet filled with novels, the wood floors historical to sight and the miss match chairs filled me with French delight...

The waiter caught my eyes and an encouraging smile crossed his face.

SPT= Self Portrait Tuesday

EIGHT is GREAT!

The assignment: each tuesday of march, your challenge is to feature the number 8. you have free reign each week to decide how you will include the number in your post. the only rule is that the numeral itself must be part of the photograph!! so get out there and search for 8s!! i bet you can find them everywhere. If you would like to join in click HERE for Amuse-Bouche.

2008 Taxes......sorry for the reminder.




On a sweeter note... I am pointing to an 8 on the nutritional chart. Thank goodness I read it, written on the box are instructions to eat 8 because there are only 8 calories in each one. (Smile)



Don't worry the toothpicks will come out to alleviate a student getting impaled.
(I use them to keep the saran wrap from sticking to the frosting during transport. We have to make the most of each calorie, right.)

Sunday

The bells from the church across the street are ringing his praise. My mind is still. The wind carries the fluttering birds. The room resonates a puppies snore.

We fall back, yet today we spring forward to shorten the savored Sunday. I give thanks to the shining sun.

I know at some point I should stick in the tape to lead me down the road to "thinness". I loath the thought. I recommend changing the channel when infomercials come on promising a beach body. My husband eats Combos while I gnaw on a celery stick.

I know within hours my house guest will leave and an energy will go with her. She has defined meaning and need with consequences. The 10 blocks to her home will be worn with my foot prints. Yet, a wave of relief has also surfaced.

Blow out the candles...

Happy Birthday Mona....



.كل سنة و انت طيبKul Sana wa inta/i tayeb/a!(Modern/Standard Arabic)



Tavalodet Mobarak!(Farsi)

I think I said "Happy Birthday" in Arabic and Farsi. Yes, she is beautiful and smart. While I am trying to learn one language, she knows three.



Mona is a wonderful friend. She is kind, giving and always there when you need her. She makes the most of every day and loves to have fun. We can be in the same room and not talk for hours or talk until our husbands (husband to be) ears fall off.



Maybe not the most athletic,


but always excited to try new things. Hee! Hee!


She knits, makes jewelry and is a fabulous cook. One bite of her curry and nothing will ever compare.



She has opened my eyes to a new world. I trust her. I believe in her. I marvel at her strength. With open arms and the biggest heart she will make you feel welcome the first time you meet her. I never knew there where people like Mona out there. I am lucky and proud to call her my BFF. Love you Mona!!!