What Not To Wear Conference

Tickets Available NOW!!
What Not to Wear – A Girlfriend's Guide to Glamour

Saturday, November 1, 2008
10 am - 2 pm

Hope Community Church

Join the Women of Hope Community for a half day conference of fun, fashion and self-image.
Nationally recognized speaker, Shari Braendel gets everyone involved in this interactive workshop.

She tells-it-like-it-is in a best friend kind of way, sharing practical image and style advice for all shapes and sizes. Uplifting, engaging and off-the-wall fun, Shari's passion for fashion will leave you wanting more. Invite all your friends and neighbors!

The perfect event for ladies age 18-99!

Conference includes 3 workshops, lunch, goody bags, door prizes and more.

Doors open at 8:30 for individual style and color consultations with Shari and her staff. Please arrive early for your consultation, then enjoy coffee and pastries before the conference. Early Bird tickets also collect their bonus before the morning session. $25 per person.
Click here to purchase tickets through Sunday, October 26th.

Purchase an early bird ticket before September
30th and receive a free gift from Clinique.

That is Today! Last Day!

I've got mine, do you have yours?

Now This is Funny

I was over visiting Rebecca and she did this little test to see what reading level her blog is.

So, I decided to give it a shot because, well, I have about a million other things I could be doing and this seemed like much more fun.

You have to know this is a joke.
Genius level?
Reeeaaally.
Maybe you would have to be a genius to figure out what I am talking about half the time!

But what does it say about all of you? You are all a bunch of Geniuses!
I always knew it.

K'NEX and Sesame Street Review

I remember when Sesame Street first appeared on television. I loved it so much because my Kindergarten teacher would wheel in a big TV and let us watch it once a week. I can still go to YouTube and scroll through vintage Sesame Street just to experience some old time nostalgia.

Click on this - It will take you back!

One character we did not have when I was younger was Elmo. I am not sure when he first appeared on Sesame Street but I feel sure I was not really watching it much then.

I just love Elmo. I was so excited to have children just so we could watch him! We had a Tickle Me Elmo, Elmo bath toys, Elmo beach toys. What a cutie that little red furry guy is.

It was pretty cool when a couple weeks ago we received a big box with the Sesame Street K'NEX in them. I ripped open the brown shipping box to see Elmo's smiling face on the K'NEX box. My son ran upstairs to get his other KID K'NEX that he received for Christmas last year and we had a fun morning just building all kinds of structures.

KID K'NEX Playground Pals

He loves the way he can make things turn and different "aliens", as he calls them, with all the cool eyes and ears in this new Sesame Street set.

The coolest thing about these new Sesame Street K'NEX is that they have chunky blocks with them, too. We were able to make Elmo into some really cool figures - even a fish!

And, of course, they come in a really handy storage box with at lid that you can use to play with also. Smart smart toy.

K'NEX building sets are perfect for engaging kids imagination and creativity and I strongly recommend them for any child. I love these Sesame Street ones for ages 2-5. My son is 4 and still really enjoyed them even though he doesn't watch much Sesame Street anymore.

The best thing is that you can pick one of these sets up beginning at only $11!

That is a great Christmas or birthday present. I think you get a lot of bang for your buck with these.

We played with Elmo's World and it is a $22 set but it is packed with 46 pieces!

Oh, and don't forget about the K'NEXpert 2009 Search contest - free college money is at stake here!

Happy Creating and thank you TEAM MOM!

Winner of Jewelry!

I got my really cute jewelry from VersaJewel this week. Fun stuff and such a pleasure to work with.

I gave one to my daughter who loved it!

Now to the winner!

I picked a winner with the help of Random.org.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:4
Timestamp:
2008-09-25 15:30:29 UTC

That would be my good friend Tatum! She is a great writer and has so many wonderful insights over at her blog For Such a Thyme.

She said this about VersaJewel:

I loved the blue flat flower square tile piece. What a creative woman. They
are all so cute.

Crunch 'N Munch

It is probably a good idea to eat something in the morning before you head to any kind of store where they carry food. I have heard this a couple times.

Yesterday, a quick trip to Wal-Mart resulted in a box of Fluffy Popcorn, Salty Peanuts and Buttery Toffee otherwise known as Crunch 'N Munch. It was right there as you walk in. You know - ON SALE - just tempting you to buy it for a snack later.

I forgot to mention yesterday that week three also makes me want to eat things I don't normally eat. And to eat a lot of them.

I started this box yesterday around lunchtime (when I got in my car after my Wal-Mart trip) and finished it before bed last night.

Note that it says Family Size. Except there was not much help from the family. It was almost all me.

The saddest part? Well, other than I consumed a million empty calories in one day, is that now there is none left for today.

A little Hormonal

I can be a little hormonal sometimes.
Up, down and all around.
Here, there and everywhere.

It goes something like this each month.

Week One: immediately following "that time of the month" ( for the guy readers)

I am extremely productive, happy, light-hearted, energetic.

I look in the mirror and think I don't look so bad.

My face is clear, my hair is shiny and I even feel somewhat slim.

Week Two: I LOVE my husband.
I mean love him in the way that I dream about him all day. Last week, I went to the bus stop and then came home. He had just left for work and I could still smell his cologne in the garage.
I swooned. I called him immediately just to tell him how I couldn't wait to see him later.

This would be the time of the month that babies are made.

Week Three: One day (this would be yesterday) I will just get this feeling. A feeling that overwhelms me. A heavy icky feeling.
I start to feel tired and snappy.
Okay, snappy is really an understatement.

If I cry or have an outburst of any type - it is ALWAYS in this week. It is seriously like I change personalities. I can be just downright mean. Not that I am proud of this, but if I need to be mean - this is the week I can do it.

Patience are at a minimum.

I look in the mirror and see zits, greasy hair and don't even get me started on how my jeans fit.

The kind of day when sticky doorknobs will send me into a complete rant of how my family does nothing around this house to help me clean one bit and I am completely under appreciated.

Over reaction to the max. I usually end up with asking for forgiveness from someone.

Week Four: the week. You gals know how this one goes. But honestly, for me - it is a relief. My personality comes back. The real me returns. I am tired and maybe a little bloated, but happy again.

I did talk to my doctor about 8 months ago about this and was diagnosed with PMDD. It is like PMS on steroids and only affects about 5% of women. Lucky me.

I take some medicine now to help me through week 2 and 3. I try to watch salt intake, drink more water, exercise and sleep more. I detest taking the meds. I really don't like taking any medicine but this one helps me stay sane and keeps my family happy.

I like that I can tell when my body changes. I can quickly determine if what I am feeling is real or just hormonal based on where I am in the month. I know if I need a nap, exercise, time alone, a friend to lean on, extra prayer or just chocolate.

So, I figure I got about one good week in me each month where I am normal. And even that is up for discussion. ;)

Is that your van? Again.

How about a little weekend update?

Because I know you are just waiting on the edge of your seat for me to tell you, right?



Well, it is one exciting life I lead.



The concert was AWESOME on Friday night.

It was the One.org (see bottom of my blog) Music Builds Tour. Which I was sooo excited to know once I got there. A portion of the proceeds went to One.org and Habitat for Humanity. I like both of those organizations. I think they do awesome work.

So the music was just great - I liked Switchfoot before the concert, but they really are great live. I was a fan. Now I am a big fan!


I love Third Day - this is my third time seeing them live (hmm third time seeing Third Day - weird) and I just love them more each time.


Of course, my friends once got us 3rd row tickets to see Third Day and the was my absolute favorite concert ever, but this was still good.


Free tickets for one thing just rocks. And sitting on the lawn with hubby on a cool fall night with a big ole' moon and plenty of stars wasn't such a bad deal either. Because Hubby is a snuggle bug.


Jars of Clay was really good as usual except that they didn't play that long. I was a bit disappointed about that because I really like them. We also saw the Robert Randolph and the Family Band which we enjoyed - kinda reminded me of some rock/blues type of music.



As you might expect, we were out late and by the time we got my kids from my moms and home to bed it was after midnight.



You may ask, "Janel, why not just let them stay overnight with your mom?"



That, my friends, is a very good question.

It's complicated, though.

Anyway it was a good thing I didn't that because my son threw up all night long.



When I asked him what he ate at Gramma's he told me this lineup:

pizza rolls,

mac and cheese,

rootbeer floats,

and popscicles. (note: plural - as in more than one)

Oh, and a salad.



Well, let me tell you - the salad only made the vomit all over his WALLS more interesting.



Anyway, he didn't have a fever or feel sick in the morning, so I figure it was just the meal of pizza rolls and rootbeer that made his little tummy send a reject message to his brain.



I was volunteering for a PTA event in the morning.



Hmm...Imagine that? I had volunteered for yet something else. Somebody please stop me.



Anyway, that took up our entire Saturday morning and then I headed to the grocery store.



About 45 minutes later with my grocery shopping done, I head out to load my kids and groceries in my van only to notice the back hatch to my van is open.



"Is that your van?" a nice woman asks me.

"Why yes. Yes, it is." I reply



She then says the hatch has been up the whole time I was in the store. Really? Now my thought is why didn't she put the darn thing down, but whatever.



My kid's bikes, a dress that I am planning to return, Crocs that I need to return and some DVDs, CD's all just right there.



Okay, so I must really make my guardian angels tired. I mean! They must be exhausted after a day with me.

Sunday Word

Taste and see that the LORD is good:

blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8 NIV

Being on my Computer has it's Advantages

Most of the time, I am the last to know.

I am late all the time and so this means I often miss annoucements or the on time door prizes.

However, I do spend a lot of time on my computer. Some of you already that.

So, because I feel lost without it when I leave home, I always check it immediately upon my return home.

And today.

Waiting in my inbox?

Free tickets to see Third Day, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay.

Tonight.

With a VIP parking pass.

First one to call the guy got them.

Me!!!

You see! Being on my computer all the time definitely has it's advantages.

AND my mom living 5 minutes from me - that too!

I. Am. So. Excited!!!!

Jewelry - Giveaway!

****REPOSTING FROM WEDNESDAY****
I think this must have gotten lost in your inbox because I am giving away JEWELRY and only have one comment. ;)

So, there is only one rule - go to VersaJewel - see link below - tell me your favorite piece of this very affordable jewelry.

I will extend the contest and pick a winner Wednesday 9/24.
*****************************************************

Jewelry.

It is a word that can stand alone in a sentence.

It is a word...that makes me sigh.

Who does not love jewelry? And homemade jewelry at that? Unique, fun and made with from the heart.

In my inbox this morning I received Robin's daily post from Life is Like Champagne. She was giving away something today - again. That girl is forever giving stuff away. Cool, fun stuff - really you should spend some time over there.

Anyway, today it was jewelry from the etsy shop VersaJewel.

The rule was to head over to VersaJewel, check out the site and then come back to Robin's with your favorite piece.

So, I went to the etsy shop.

Well, little did I know how AFFORDABLE and cute it was!

So, after spending some $$$ and some emails from Kami today (creator of VersaJewel), I will also be giving away one of her glass/Scrabble tile pendants on a black cord. She actually creates these cool pendants on a Scrabble piece.

And I am excited because this is as close to a Scrabble piece I will ever come.

All you have to do is...
1. Visit her site VersaJewel and come back here and leave a comment about which piece you love best.

2. Visit my friend Robin at Life is Like Champagne - because she is the one who sent me there in the first place and you can register at Robin's blog for another giveaway from VersaJewel! You can never enter too many contests for jewelry. I'm just sayin'.

3. Register by this Friday, September 19.

4. Have a US address. I will pick a winner Saturday and let you know!

Oh, if you happen not to like jewelry, which I know some of you actually don't. Be sure to still register because you can give it as a gift!!! Christmas is right around the corner, y'all

The Paper

I found this picture of my hubby's dad.

He was taking a nap when Hubby decided to cover the poor unsuspecting man in newspapers. When he woke up he was very confused but got a kick out of it.

I just get a kick out of the picture. They do have some fun with each other.

For More WW shots go to 5 Minutes for Mom

Is that your car?

Today was the beginning of my bible study/women's small groups at my church. I am the coordinator of this group. And I can tell you that this fact alone just shocks me. Simply and completely shocks me.

I often ask the staff at church why they let me lead anything. All I can say is that their trust, and mine for that matter, is in God only. Because, I sometimes wonder how I even make it through a day! Only by the grace of a mighty God.

So, here is the story of my morning.
After I pack lunches and get my daughter off to school.
Get my son dressed, force some breakfast down him and get him ready to go with me.

I thought by all accounts, I was managing just fine.

For weeks we (a team of phenomenal women) have been working up to this big kick-off morning.

With at least 90 women coming - we managed to get them all in small groups. Check.

We have childcare for their kids - God Bless those childcare workers and the childcare coordinator. Can I get an Amen? Check.

We introduced a fantastic new study on the book of Joshua that one of our women actually wrote! It is awesome! I truly feel to be such a small part of something much bigger there. Check.

Nametags, groups, women, chocolate, music, study books, room placement and a million other things I can't remember at this moment finally coming together this morning. Check.

I also had a friend stay with me last night who was in an accident some time ago and she wanted to come to the study. So, I managed to help her out as much as I could. She is doing incredible, by the way.

So, this morning, I needed to unload my van of all my stuff and to make sure my friend was near the front door.

So, I pull up underneath the awning in front of the church. Check.

Unload kid.
Unload stuff.
Unload friend.

Check, check, check

Walk inside.
Walk upstairs.
Start setting up.
Running around.
Greeting women.
Making copies.
More greeting.
Help get the music set up.
More greeting.
Check my boy into childcare. (actually another friend did this)
More greeting.
Checking in ladies.

Check, check, check and check.

About this time - maybe 40 minutes after I arrive at church another good friend comes up to me and asks if I know that my van is parked under the awning in front of church?

Hello, Janel! The van! Oh No! No check here! I forgot to go back and move my van.

She asks if she can move it for me.

Let me just stop here to tell you - I have the best friends in the world. They complete me.

Anyway, she asks me where the keys are and, of course, I tell her that they are in the van because the van is still running!

40 minutes.
In front of church.
Under the awning.
While I am buzzing around doing my thing.

You see? It is a wonder. Truly, if you think you don't have what it takes to serve God - just look at me. He picks the least likely of characters to fulfill his purposes.

Noel Elsa - Finally

I want you to meet someone.

Noel Elsa was born in the Cabbage Patch on July 26 and delivered and left on my doorstep in early August for us to adopt and love on.



When I was 13 years old, the Cabbage Patch Kids made their debut.


I desperately wanted one.


Any. One.






At the time production was limited and to get one you literally had to sell your car or your first born or something.


I did not get one of those first dolls, though. And not from lack of trying. Not even from lack of money which I am sure we had very little of. My mom usually went in to debt each Christmas to make sure we had exactly what was on our list to Santa. She was good like that. But this particular year, she could have hocked her wedding ring and not gotten me this doll.


They were simply gone.
No where to be found.
No eBay to buy one that someone bought up and then inflated the price.
All gone.


So, Christmas came and went with no Cabbage Patch Kid. Luckily, at this point, I did not find too much stock in the big guy with the white beard anyway, so I was just disappointed in my parents. Oh, God bless 'em.

Along the years, Cabbage Patch Kids were released in Preemies and even twins and I received several as gifts.


Amos was my preemie - given to me by a guy friend that I was "dating". Just look at that hair. His green eyes match my own hazel ones. I LOVED this doll. More than the guy. I kept the doll. The guy - not so much.




Then there were the twins (and I cannot remember their names) who were given to my by my very sweet little brothers. Look really close and you can see the one's front tooth!
My kids really love these guys.




As you can see, I still have them all and here they are to welcome Noel into the playroom.


My kids have had so much fun playing with all my CPK dolls and love Noel. She's been in the treehouse and even went to school for show and tell.

The best thing about Noel - she SMELLS like baby powder!!!


We got a new Cabbage Patch Kid a couple years ago and she was precious. Unfortunately, she was misplaced by my then 4 year old daughter.

It. Was. A. Sad. Day.


Anyway, I remember opening her and loving her but she did not smell like the original and she did not have the sweet round face of the original. She was a jazzed up, millennium version of the old.


These new 25th anniversary Cabbage Patch Kids are made from the same mold and materials as the originals when I was 13 years old. Just released at the beginning of this month, you too can have the one you never had then. Or to go with the one you did get.


They retail for around $30, you get a "silver anniversary" baby spoon with them, commemorative silver-stamped 25th Anniversary Birth Certificate and Adoption Papers.



Thank you Team Mom and Play Along! We love Noel and will take very good care of her.


Okay, so tell me your own Cabbage Patch Kid story and be sure to check out others and post there too. http://www.cabbagepatchkids25.com/ I am going there to post mine now!

Sunday Word

Each one has his own gift from God,

one in this manner and another in that.

1 Corinthians 7:7 NKJV

Remember

Robin at Life is like Champagne tagged me for this meme last week. Or the week before. Anyway - sorry it has taken me so long to get this up!

I thought today of all days would be good to pay tribute by stopping and just remembering.

This is not a cheery meme by any means, but it really is amazing how these events impact our life and this generation. I can think back to my mom saying how she remembered exactly where she was when JFK was assassinated and even John Lennon. Those events shape her generation.

We should remember the ones that help to shape ours.
The lives sacrificed.
The families that live on.

So, here's to remembering these significant events ...for those that sacrificed and for those that lived on.


Where was I when...
Princess Diana’s death - 31 August 1997

My brother in law's wedding reception. Someone came in and told us and I actually thought they were kidding. It was so sad to hear it was not a joke.




Attack on the twin towers - 11 September 2001 - 7 years ago today

Oh, I was in the house with my 1 year old baby girl. I was watching the Today show and talking with my friend Kelly on the phone. I thought is was a little plane that just ran into the building. The whole day played out so awful. I could not move from the TV.

I recently visited Ground Zero and prayed for the families and victims. When I got to this wall where children had written letters to their parents that were firefighters I absolutely broke down. The loss is just too great for my mind to even comprehend.



Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster January 28, 1986

In school, watching it on TV. It was so awful.



Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster February 1, 2003

Home. My brother in law lived in Dallas at the time. They called us as soon as they heard.



The Oklahoma City Bombing April 19, 1995

Living in Dallas at the time. I was selling real estate and driving to an appointment. I can remember hearing it on the radio like it was yesterday.

I also actually remember having to go to a federal building later that week and how high security was.

Your turn, where were you?

Linked Up - Calling Conservative Bloggers

I read this today over at Don't Try This At Home and she makes a very good point. I love to hear from both sides of this political craziness. I have said before that I do not like politics (and I don't) but I do enjoy reading what both camps say so I can make a good educated decision at the
polls. Anyway, she says all of this better than I can here, so hop on over there and read what she has to say.

No Reptiles - Wordless Wednesday

Sign on Beale Street in Memphis.

No reptiles?

Now you just know that someone brought their huge python to Beale street around their neck to listen to live blues music and drink too much. That would have been interesting to see for sure.

I am glad they have rules.

I'm just sayin'

For more Wordless Wednesday go here.

Blogger Slacker

Yup, that's me.

Okay, I just cannot keep up with my own life these days it seems.

Is it just me or is September the busiest month ever????

I think I am busier now than during the holidays. EVERYTHING has to be done THIS WEEK. Seriously, it's craziness.

We had a super time in Memphis. It was nice to get away with hubby and be involved in the business a bit. I think it is good to be on board with what goes on in his life every day. I used to be so involved because before we had kids we worked together.

Then I had babies.
Life changed.
Diapers and nursing took the place of sales and customer service.
Although, I do feel like I am doing that quite a bit around here!

Sales:

"Peas are great! Eat them and you will get this free ice cream!"

Customer Service:

"I can understand your frustration, but we just cannot go swimming in the
rain. We can, however, watch your favorite program on TV while I
blog."

You see...sales and customer service right here at home.

Finally Friday

Hubby and I are away this weekend.

SANS kids!

That is without kids. Nada kids. Not here with us.

This is actually our second weekend away without them in a month! While I am looking forward to my time alone with hubby, I do miss them.


I left very early this morning before they woke and I just stared down at the little sleeping angels. I wanted to kiss them but I feared they would wake. Bubby is such a light sleeper. I think that boy can smell me coming down the hall.

So, here we are. Memphis, TN. Home to Graceland and Beale Street. We might even take some time to go see those sights. We're here on business, so who knows how much time we will actually have for that.

I used to go on these business trips all the time until the kids came. We traveled quite a bit and it was always so fun to get away to a different city with him. Now that the kids are getting older I am hoping I can start going occasionally again.

Some fun highlights from this week:

Encouragement
I so appreciate some fun bloggy awards and encouragement that many of you have sent my way! It is amazing how people I do not even know reach out to me to just say they are thinking of me or praying for me. That. Is. Very. Cool. Thank you.

I am going to get them posted next week. I didn't bring my laptop and the hotel is charging me to be online. And it is sooooo slloooowww.

Sarah Palin: I don't talk politics too much here, so I am not looking for any kind of debate, but I like this lady. I actually for the first time in many years enjoyed watching a Republican National Convention.

Bubby starting preschool: He was so excited to get back to school. He loves his teachers and is thrilled they are having time on the playground first thing in the morning. He only wishes they could just stay out there all day. Who needs to learn anything for Kindergarten? It's just abc's, right?

So, anyway - I will be back next week. Have a great weekend!

I will let you know if I see Elvis.

Hello out there...

Wow, I can't believe it has been a whole week since I last blogged.
A whole week since I have even looked at another blog.

Whew. It has been a week. Let me tell you. Well, I can't really tell you the details, but I can tell you...it's been a week.

A life changing, messy, much needed, never gonna be the same, no fun, yucky week.

Keeping my family going was about all I could handle.

One of my friends saw me this early this week and she said this,

"You've got that deer in headlights look. You okay?"

Yeah, I'm okay.

So, sometimes life gets messy. It gets yucky and we just have to dig in and get through it.

A couple people that know my situation have asked, "How are you staying so strong?"

What else am I gonna do?

Life just happens.

Sometimes its all rosy and lovely.

Sometimes its all thorny and needs some pruning.

So, that's where I've been.

It's so much better now. I am good. The fam is really good.

I can say this looking back...

The week has also been full of God's mercy, love and protection. I have not been strong by my own strength (Philippians 4:13) It is not by any protection of this world that I find refuge (Psm 91:4-5). And yes, I am finding much joy and purpose in my situation (Exodus 9:16)

That is how I stay so strong. That is why I am okay.

Blessings to you all this week.

Hanging with the Big Boys

My little guy.

Outside our house one day just hanging with the big boys in the neighborhood.

For More A Thousand Words Thursday, hop on over to Cheaper Than Therapy.