Set Up a Gmail Account for your Baby

I just read an article online.  In it, the dad said he set up a gmail account for his newborn son.  Throughout his son's life, he's going to send him funny stories, pictures and keepsakes of his life.   What a great idea!!!!

Me and the Lady Who Fell

The other day, I was in the Government Center, heading downstairs on the escalator.  I noticed a blind lady riding the up escalator.  She had her hands full with her lunch in a styrofoam container, her walking stick, her purse and a large drink.   I passed her on my way down, her way up.  Another girl was riding down at the same time I was.

As I got off of my escalator, I heard a loud sound from upstairs.  I looked up and didn't see the lady I had passed.  I thought, "she must have fallen."  I jumped on the up escalator and saw her laying at the top. The girl that rode down with me looked up, saw the lady laying there and walked off.  I couldn't just leave her laying there.

So, I rode up and got right up next to her.  She was in my way so I couldn't get off and the escalator kept moving pushing me into her.  I couldn't reach the button to stop the escalator, so I almost fell on top of her several times.  Finally another woman walked over and was able to stop the escalator.  Thank God!

I asked the lady who had fallen if she was ok.  She was still laying there.  She didn't answer me.  I asked again.   (the lady who stopped the escalator was just standing there).   I looked at her and said, "I don't think she can hear me."   I noticed she had hearing aids so I got down closer to her and said louder, "Are you alright?"  She finally answered and said she was ok.   Her lunch (chicken wings, greens, bread and a huge cup of water) was all over the floor. 

She was able to get up from laying flat and was feeling around on the floor trying to find her lunch.  I asked if her knees were ok.  She said she wasn't hurt. I told her that her lunch was all over the floor and she said, "I know."  I said, you can't eat this.  I'll clean it up and throw it away.  I kneeled down and my knee got all wet from her drink (and God knows what else).  I cleaned up the mess and told her I was sorry she had fallen.  She said she was ok and thanked me for helping her and wandered off.

I felt sorry for her. I'm sure she was so embarrassed that she missed the top of the escalator and that she dropped her lunch everywhere.  I'm not sure why she didn't take the elevators, it would have been much easier for her and the elevator bank is right by the escalators.  So, who knows why she made that decision.  I was just glad I was there to help her. 

Japanese Pens, Erasers and other Cool Stuff

In my never ending quest to find cool pens, paper, pencils, office supplies and such, I found the motherland!

One night I decided I needed to find one of my all time favorite pens, the Pentel Tradio Stylo Fountain Pen.  I had owned one years ago, drained the pen dry and cried myself to sleep for nights and nights after.  I never was able to find that pen in stores again.  But I never forgot it.  Knowing I'm not alone in my obsession over pens and office supplies, I set out on a quest to find my beloved Tradio pen online.

I googled the pen name ...and guess what I found?  JetPens!!  My life has never been the same!  Finally I found my kindred spirit!  A website for people who love pens, office supplies, erasers, etc., as much as me!!!  What I discovered was much more than just my beloved Pentel Tradio pen, I found they offered all kinds of cool Japanese pens, erasers and supplies for artists, illustrators and aficionados like me!

I started following JetPens on Facebook and Twitter and began reading their blog, all in a quest to try and stay current on what they were offering and what was new and hot!  One day, my dream came true!  They offered their readers a chance to review a product offered on their site and write a review on my very own blog about it!!  So of course, you know I signed up!!

GUESS WHAT!  I got the chance to write a review!!!!   I received the CUTEST little Iwako Elephant eraser.   He's so cute and happy and makes me (and everyone around me) smile.  Just look at his cute little face!!  You can buy just the elephant or you can buy a menagerie of Zoo animals!  These are some of the cutest Japanese erasers I've come across.   Some of the other erasers Iwako offers are sushi erasers, donut erasers, bento box erasers!  They are too cute!  I know there are a lot of kids who collect erasers.  This is THE place to get unusual, unique erasers normally only found in Japan!

If you're searching for some of the best art supplies from Japan, JetPens is your source!  I've spent a ton of money with JetPens, mainly because they offer unique and unusual pens - and hard to find Japanese supplies - without having to pay expensive shipping costs from Japan!   In fact, if you spend $25.00 - you get free shipping from JetPens - and you know I always spend at least $25 bucks!

Some of the Japanese brands they offer are Saki, Kuretake, Akashiya, and Tachikawa.

Get over to JetPens now for everything a pen addict craves!

Quite Possibly My Favorite Poem of All Time

Walk with Me

If you have learned to walk
A little more sure-footedly than I,
Be patient with my stumbling then

And know that only
as I do my best and try
That I may attain the goal
For which we both are striving.

If through experience, your soul
has gained heights which I
As yet in dim-lit vision see,
Hold out your hand and point the way,
Lest from its straightness I should stray,

And walk a mile with me.

What is Pinterest?

Back in the old days, I can remember when people used to ask "do you have email?"  As the internet started evolving and more and more people became addicted, various sites became the "it" thing and the above question evolved over the years.

 

The newest and hottest thing is Pinterest!   So I have to ask, are you on Pinterest?  If you're not...um, what rock do you live under????   My Grandma is practically on Pinterest!  (Ok that's a lie, but believe me she would want to be if she knew what it was....and had internet access!!)

Ok so maybe, like my Grandma, you just don't know what Pinterest is.  First of all, lets start with how it's pronounced.   It's the word "Interest" with a P tagged on the front.  I've heard it pronounced every way from Pin-terr-est to Pin-turst.  Nope, it's much easier than that, "Pin-trest."

So what is this phenomenon that's sweeping the world?  Well, think of it this way.  It's like a virtual bulletin board, where you can collect cool things that you find on the web.  Rather than having a list of bookmarks with sites and stuff and pages listed, Pinterest lets you build "boards" that you can categorize and organize all of your favorite things.

You'll need to understand some of the terminology before you get started:

• Pinner - A pinner is someone who is pinning things to their boards
• Pin - When you find something you like, you can pin it, add it, to a board and save it there forever
• Board - A board is where you pin things you like.  Most people have multiple boards, with various names, to organize all of the things they pin
• Follow - Click the follow button on any board and you'll see new things added to that board as they are added
• Follow All - When you find one of your friends on Pinterest, you can choose to follow just one of their boards or follow all of their boards
• Like - when you see something pinned on a board, you can "like" it to let the person you like what they pinned
• Repin - You can repin something you find on Pinterest and select which of your boards to add it to so you'll always have it

Pinterest is fun to use for planning things like vacations, parties and weddings.  You can also use Pinterest to find new recipes, new clothes, the latest hottest things and just cruise around looking at what other people find that's cool!

So let's say you want to redecorate your home.  Here's a cool Pinterest site that you could use for inspiration:  http://pinterest.com/ohjoy/la-home/

Love nail polish as much as I do?  We've got you covered there too!  http://pinterest.com/agalleg/nailed/

Are you planning a wedding?  If so, here's a board that has lots of interesting things for weddings:  http://pinterest.com/nicolas/favorite-places-and-spaces/

It's winter time and might be hard to keep your kids energy levels down.  Here are some ideas for kids crafts that will keep your little one busy for hours and hours:  http://pinterest.com/amandasmith33/things-to-do-with-kids/

 I really want to travel to Europe for 2 weeks, so I've got a board that is dedicated to the places I want to see when I get there:  http://pinterest.com/anneakay/2-weeks-in-europe/

Hungry?  Here's my board dedicated to delicious things!  http://pinterest.com/anneakay/deliciously-delectable-dishes/

Hopefully this will help you newbie pinners understand the world of Pinterest.  I do need to warn you.  Once you jump on the site, you'll be hooked.  Prepare to spend hours and hours roaming around this site!  It's very addictive.

Happy Pinning!!

Welcome to Indy, Superbowl Fans

After so much hype and talk, finally, it's here.  The 2012 Superbowl in Indy. 

As I have mentioned in the past, KS is providing staffing resources to the Superbowl, so you can imagine the flurry of activity over the last few weeks as our recruiting team nailed down all the people needed to greet and assist Superbowl visitors coming to our great city! 

For me, I've just been excited for all the hustle and bustle.  Anyone who knows me, knows, if there's action going on somewhere, I have to get in the middle of it.   So.  Of course I had to stick around downtown one night this week to check out Superbowl Village and all the goodies around it.

There's lots of excitement in the air.  Everyone I saw was smiling and friendly and looked like they were enjoying themselves.  The volunteer corp is HUGE....no.....HUUUUUUUUUGE!  There are hundreds of volunteers throughout the village and on every corner, all wearing blue and white scarves, so they are easily identified. 

Superbowl XLVI is going to one of the greatest yet - if the Superbowl committee, volunteers, temp workers and citizens of this great State have anything to do with it!

Get out and enjoy it!!

Superbowl Jobs in Indianapolis

Are you interested in working at the Superbowl in Indianapolis?    Knowledge Services is hiring!!


Here are some of the roles for which we are interviewing:


Concierge/City Ambassadors
This role is a good fit for individuals with a  high energy level who like to interface with high end clients. Ambassadors are responsible for interacting with the teams’ families, well-known global company executives who are involved in the NFL, and other football teams who are sending representatives to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl.

Administrative Assistants  
These individuals will assist and provide support for Gameday Management and their clients at the Super Bowl in a wide variety of tasks throughout their stay in Indy! Since responsibilities can vary greatly, this position may require one who has lots of energy, flexibility, and the ability to interact different types of people.

Shuttle Bus Coordinators
The role of a Shuttle Bus Coordinator is very important.  Many visitors will need to use a variety of shuttle bus systems in order to navigate Indianapolis, which can be tricky if one is unfamiliar with Indianapolis. Therefore, shuttle bus coordinators will be trained to act as liaisons for the shuttle bus network and to help event attendees reach their destinations throughout the city.

Parking Operations Coordinators
As one can imagine, Indianapolis is going to be PACKED during all of the Super Bowl activities.  This big event is more than just a 1 day show! Lots of people will be visiting our city throughout the weeks before the big game.  Parking Operations Coordinators will be responsible for assisting in parking, ensuring vehicles get parked correctly, helping to answer related questions, and  acting as a liaison for our city.

Overall , know that each of these roles is important.  Those individuals who fill them will interact with visitors to our city and will leave lasting impressions of Indianapolis.

Which position is a good fit for you?  You now have the ball.  Run with it – straight to TouchdownJobs.com!

Get a Job at the Indianapolis Superbowl

Recently Knowledge Services and BC Forward partnered together and won the opportunity to fill over 600 jobs with the Superbowl.

The jobs will vary from administrative, hospitality and parking duties.  Anyone who lands one of these positions will receive a fleece Superbowl jacket and baseball hat.

If you're interested and want to work one of these positions, please visit www.touchdownjobs.com

Recipe for Olive Garden's Pasta e Fagioli

They say women who are pregnant start the "nesting" process as they near the end of their pregnancy.  Well, we all know, there's no way that I'm pregnant but I definitely feel the need to nest as the colder temperatures roll in.  My nesting process may be a little different than those of a new/soon to be mother. 

My urge to nest consists of bringing down all my warm and cozy sweatshirts, fleece jackets and pullovers and of course stocking up on my beloved turtlenecks.  I also love to start cooking and baking when the weather gets chilly!

Last weekend I made Pumpkin Bread and Chili.  This weekend I made Pasta e Fagioli.  My recipe is a copycat that I found online - which tastes just like what they serve at Olive Garden!

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
• 1 large carrot, julienned (1 cup)
• 3 stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
• 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can red kidney beans, with liquid
• 1 15 oz can northern beans, with liquid
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 12 oz can V8 Juice
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt (I usually don't use this much)
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 lb (1/2 bag) ditali pasta

Brown ground beef in large stock pot, drain most of the fat
Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute for 10 minutes
Add remaining ingredients, except pasta, and simmer for 1 hour
At about 50 minutes, boil pasta in a separate pan until al dente
Add pasta to soup and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Bread

When the weather gets cold, I always want to start baking. Last week, temps dipped down into the 40's at night, I vowed I would make something with pumpkin in it this weekend. I could have chosen pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies or a pumpkin roll/log. But I decided to make my "old faithful" recipe. Pumpkin Bread. It's super easy so I'll share the recipe with you!

You'll need:

• 4 Eggs 
• 2 Cups of Sugar 
• 1 Cup of Oil
  
• 2 Cups of Flour 
• 1 Tsp of Baking Powder 
• 1/2 Tsp of Baking Soda 
• 1 Tsp of Cinnamon 
• 1 Tsp of Salt 
• 2 Cups of Pumpkin 
• As many nuts, and any variety, that you desire

 Preheat oven, 350 degrees.

Combine Eggs, Oil and Sugar. Slowly add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth.  Butter and flour 3 loaf pans or one bundt pan.  Bake for 45-60 minutes.  I usually bake them a little longer than 60 minutes, but that will depend on your oven and elevation.  Insert toothpick in the center of the loaf, if it comes out clean, they are done!

 

Enjoy!!

 

Optional :
Cream Cheese Icing
1/2 Box Powdered Sugar, sifted
1/4 to 1/2 Cups of Finely Chopped Pecans or any nut
6 Ounces, Softened Cream Cheese
1/2 Stick Butter
1 Tsp Vanilla

Beat all ingredients together for 7 minutes.  Frost cooled cake.

9/11 Memorial in Indianapolis, Indiana

I've been watching the 9/11 Memorial go up on the north side of the Government Center in downtown Indianapolis. There's been lots of construction around it. It was done and ready to be unveiled for the 9/11 anniversary. Since then, there have been many visitors to the memorial. I hadn't made my way over to see the memorial, though I could see the eagle and beams from the walkway leading from the Government Center North building.

Today, I decided to wander on over there before heading to my car. There were a few people around, but not the crowd that had been there. It was pretty moving. To think the beams that now stand at this memorial were part of the World Trade Center is pretty awesome. The carved eagle, atop the tallest beam, was designed and built by an Indianapolis fire fighter.  As I walked up to the beams, I swear I can still smell smoke on them. It was interesting. I wasn't sure if it was my imagination or if I really smelled that "fire" smell.

Of course I had my camera in hand and snapped a few shots to show you what you're missing and and inspire you to make a trip downtown. The massive marble wall contains a quote from George Bush, President when the 9/11 attacks took place, and quotes from other people as well.

The beams are visible from the Government Center North building. Here you see both beams and the Government Center in the background.

The eagle is a beautiful piece of artwork. I was able to get a few shots to show the detail.

These men were sitting on one of the marble benches at the memorial. They both stood up and looked at the beams and quotes on the wall. The man in the blue t-shirt put his hand on the beam next to him and patted it several times. I knew he was thinking of all those lives lost. As he walked away, he wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. I wanted to say something to him, to let him know I felt the same way, but I left him alone and let him have that moment to himself.

As I was looking up the beam to the eagle, the sun slipped behind the beam. I thought to myself, even in this terrible tragedy and when you think the worst has happened, there is always light and hope. This beam and eagle represent that to me.

I'm proud our city can share this with our visitors and the people of Indiana. If you haven't made plans to stop by and see the memorial, you definately should. It's just east of West Street on Ohio, next to the fire station and right on the canal.

Don't Over-Sweetie Me

So I'm at the McDonalds drive-thru in Fishers for lunch this week. I am greeted by the automated, "Hi would you like to order a fruit smoothie, order when ready." I place my order. The actual person working repeats my order and says, "is everything on the screen correct, sweetie?"

Sweetie? Ok, I suppose that's cute. Yes, I reply. "Ok sweetie, pull up to the first window" she says.

That's sweetie #2. I'm on the verge of being over-sweetied at this point. I want people to be nice and I believe 100%+ in great customer service, but this sweetie business, it seems a bit over the top to me.

So, I drive on up to the window. She greets me, "That's $3.60 sweetie." Oh. No. She. Didn't.

A third sweetie. Quit it. Seriously.

I pay her and anxiously wait to see....will she?????

Oh you betya. "Thanks sweetie, pull on up."

QUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT IT!!!!!!!!! No more sweetie. So I couldn't resist. I said, "thanks a bunch sweetie, see ya next time."

I'm sure she didn't catch my sarcasm but she needed to.

Life's Unexpected Moments

Cutest little older woman in the grocery store with her daughter stopped and said Hi to me tonight. I said Hi back. She said, "you look really nice." I said "thank you, you do too." Then she opened up her arms and wanted to hug me. So I gave her a hug. Her daughter then said, "OK, mom, let's go." Daughter smiled at me and her mom smiled bigger. Sometimes life surprises you in unexpected ways.

What is Your Purpose in Life?

Ever feel like you're wasting your life? Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing what I should be doing. I don't mean am I working where I should be. I love my job, the people I work for and work with. I know what I'm doing for my client and the people we give jobs to is very important. Not only from the point of the client who needs a person to fill a job, but also for the person who needs to make a living to support their family.

I guess I'm wondering, is there MORE I should be doing?

I recently watched a TV show called Serving Life.



Yes, it's a prison show and all of you know how I love prison shows. Usually I love them because they interview cold, hard killers who you can look straight in the face and see the "crazy." I find it fascinating how people can commit horrendous crimes and have complete disregard for other people's feelings, lives, families, themselves, etc. Maybe I should have been a psychiatrist so I could delve in the minds of these people?? Yeah, probably not.

This show featured prisoners who had committed terrible crimes, spent years and years in prison, yet most of them were still very young - but had turned their lives truly around in prison. The prison is in Angola, Louisiana. The warden of this prison works very hard to rehabilitate the men in his care.

This prison has a hospital, as most do, and a hospice unit. Prisoners can volunteer to work in the hospice but have to go through a rigorous interview and training session to be accepted in the program. The show I watched showcased 4 men, most of them had committed Murder 1 or 2, who asked to participate in the hospice volunteer program.

Volunteering in this program means these prisoners will have to do things they probably never imagined doing in prison. Cleaning up another man who can't do it for himself. Caring for bedsores, wiping their behinds. It also means as these dying, sick men come to the end of their lives, these volunteers, and fellow inmates, sit with them in 4 hour shifts so they don't have to die alone.

Watching these volunteers, most of whom had taken someone's life, hold a bedside vigil while a fellow inmate passes on was amazing and inspiring. These men had already come to grips with the crimes they committed, they live with the guilt every day, but nothing hit them quite as hard as watching another person, whom they have cared for in very intimate ways, pass on.

I sat and cried my eyes out, not only for the men who passed, but for the men who sat vigil and watched them. One of them said, "hospice is helping live life with love." Exactly what God wants from each of us.

So I'm sitting here thinking, "is there more I could do?" I've gone through phases in my life where I thought I should be volunteering to help children, volunteering to help the elderly but I haven't done anything with it.

I think I need to pray to figure out what this calling to help others inside me really is and how I should use it in my life. Honestly, I'd love to sit with those dying prisoners and help them and learn more from the inmates who care for them.

Stay tuned.

The Casey Anthony Verdict

Right now I feel like cussing a blue streak. Maybe even make up a few really awful yet awesome, filthy cuss words of my own. But in reality, I'm at a loss for words.

Very rarely am I caught up in "current events" but I couldn't help but get completely wrapped up in the Casey Anthony trial. It was riveting at times. Her web of lies was unbelievable.

The stench of a dead body in Casey Anthony's car, after she and her daughter have been missing for weeks, I guess that's not enough.

Her complete lack of concern for her "abducted/drowned/missing" daughter.

Not Guilty.

Wait. What did she just say? Not. Guilty?

How? Why? What about that little baby girl, thrown in a swamp, duct tape over her nose and mouth and thrown in a trash bag.

Only a few, non-family related events have left me stunned, angry, sad, shocked, numbed.

• The obvious, 9-11-01: Nothing will ever compare to that day and I hope to never see another day like that in our country in my lifetime.
• 8-31-97: The day Lady Diana died.
• 7-5-11: A not guilty verdict in the Casey Anthony trial

Of course, I would never minimize the affect 9/11 had on me by comparing that day to the day Lady Di died or when Casey Anthony was found not guilty.

There is no comparison of these events, except for the way these events knocked me off my feet. Made me sit, stare blankly, with no words.

I'm dumbfounded. Confused. Silent.

I just can't explain it. And all I can do is think about that little girl. Caylee Marie Anthony.

This may sound completely sick. But I believe Caylee is the winner here. She's with God. In Heaven. Away from a mother who may have loved her at one time, but surely never loved her enough.

The Will to Live - The Story of Joan Simmons

I was thinking about my beautiful Grandmother today. I reflected on her life from a young girl who lost her mother at a very early age in life, to being one of the youngest of 10 kids, living through the depression. Her family nearly starved during those times. Once she told me she ate coffee grounds, but now she says that never happened. (Hey, I'd block that memory out too!)

She was tossed from home to home - being one of 1o kids without a mother, the kids moved from relative to relative - just looking for someone to care for them when they needed it.

One of many heart wrenching stories she told me was a time when she and her sister Hannah were staying with her older sister Jean. They went off to school and came back to the sister's house to find they had moved. They didn't tell the girls - "oh when you get out of school, we won't be here anymore." They were just gone. No trace or note. My Grandma and Hannah were just kids - where were they supposed to go?? They walked all the way across town to a lady they knew and she helped them for a few days until they found somewhere to stay. Anyone else may have never forgiven that family member - but not my Grandma. Even at her young age, she understood.

I wonder what her dad was doing all this time! I know he had a lot of kids, but is that any excuse for not knowing where your kids are or if they are ok?

There are lots of stories of hardship in her life, but she has always laughed at the circumstances of her early life.

She talks about good times too, singing with her brothers and sisters. They could all harmonize and play piano. I can just see 10 kids standing around a piano singing their hearts out.

There's a story of her brother jumping from a bedroom window and landing on the roof of a car...I think it may have been a convertible and he went right through it - I'll have to have her tell that story again.

She laughs about sleeping with a brick that they put in an oven, which was how they stayed warm during the night.

Even the stories of Christmas - getting an apple as her present, or just a piece of candy, she can still laugh about that. Heck they were just happy to still be alive and together!

She met my Grandpa when she was just a teenager - and was married at 17! My Grandpa loved my Grandma. You could see he was crazy about her. He really must have wanted to rescue her from her circumstances, not that he had much more than she did, but he was making a living as a golf pro at the American Legion Golf Course in Kokomo and had a car. He probably seemed really rich to her back then. He always spoiled her and gave her whatever she wanted. She drove a big Cadillac Eldorado, bought her clothes from Talbots and LaMode (in Kokomo).

In her middle years, she was a hard working lady. She worked around her house tirelessly and raised 4 kids, sometimes without her husband there - he was off building golf courses in some other state or country. When my Grandpa was the golf pro at the Kokomo Country Club, they lived in a tiny little house on the golf course. They moved to Houston, lived in the Bahamas, on Ile Bizzard, Quebec Canada while my Grandpa built the Royal Montreal Golf Club. She got to travel to Europe, Hawaii and all over the U.S.

She's not a saver and she threw everything away to keep her house neat and clean. On one hand that's great, but I'm sure there are treasures I would have loved to have and save from her life.

One time she was moving her washing machine (God only knows why, probably to clean behind it) and dropped it on her little toe!! She nearly cut her toe completely off! Crazy thing. That may have slowed her down but sure didn't stop her!

She and my grandpa survived a terrible car crash in North Carolina (not Florida as I originally thought.)

My mom and I drove to Houston with my Grandma and Grandpa when I was 16. It was a fun trip. We stopped in Kansas to drop off golf course plans then traveled through Arkansas on our way to Houston to see Aunt Jan & fam. That ride though the mountains in Arkansas was comical. My Grandpa driving 90 miles an hour around hairpin, mountain curves. Getting lost and ending up in Noel, Arkansas - where everyone in town looked at us like aliens - we were obviously not locals! My Grandma sat in the back seat with me and made fun of me hiding on the floor and putting my head between my knees when my grandpa's driving got a little too crazy!!! She was used to that maniac, cursing out everyone around us and driving way too fast.

As she's entered her later years in life, her body has slowed, her arthritis became more of a factor, even though she had been diagnosed with it it as a very young woman. She just can't do as much anymore. Her mind is still really sharp and her sense of humor is fully intact. She laughs at how old she is and how she's cheated death a few times.

My Grammy still loves getting a new purse and getting her hair done on Friday's. She loves to look at the Talbots catalog and she's reading the Bible, all the way through again, that's at least the second time, maybe third. She wouldn't think of missing a golf tournament when Tiger Woods is playing and Judge Judy? Well let's just say, don't drop by, call or even think about my Grandma when Judge Judy is on!

So here she is, 93 years old. As beautiful as ever.

In the last few years, she's had a couple of scares and we almost lost her.

As ready as she probably is to go to Heaven, that sense of survival always kicks into this gal when her body is in crisis. Her will to live is strong and she pulls through even the gravest of health scares. I really think it's just instinct, at this point, from her earlier years. After all she's been through, it just comes natural for her to be a fighter. She doesn't know anything else.

God didn't know what he created when he made my Grandma. He never thought how tough it would be to get this girl to enter the pearly gates. Thank Heavens for that instinct she has - otherwise, I probably wouldn't have her right now.

I feel so lucky to be 46 years old and still have a Grandma. How on earth did I get so lucky to have her in my life?

If there's anything my sweet and funny Meemo has taught me, it's to keep a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances, fight, fight, fight and never ever, ever give up. But more than anything, my Grandma has not only taught me, but also showed me, laugh your way through life and you'll live a very long, happy one!

She's a special person and I'm very thankful she's my Grandma!

Mackinac Island Blog

So last fall, we went on vacation to Mackinac Island, Michigan..as you know. Don't remember? Well, let me refresh that moldy, old *smile* memory of yours with a few images of the trip!


Ohhhh there's lots more where that came from, but I digress!

Anywho, so after visiting this little island from the past, I began to wonder, what's Mackinac Island like in the winter. I found a couple of webcams that you can visit here and here, to see Mac live and in action. There are several other webcams on this site. Check em out.

So I watched Mac Island move from summer, to fall, to winter, to spring and now approaching summer again. It's almost as good as being there.

As I searched for webcams, I ran across a couple of really interesting blogs. This one is written by a teacher who lives, year round, on the island and teaches at the island school. She shares stories of her life and explains what it's like to live on an island, completely isolated during winter months. Interesting to read!

The blog I really enjoy reading is written by Bree, a southerner who spends her summers on the island and recently returned from the south to her northern paradise. She knows everyone on the island, enjoys meeting her blog readers as they visit and introduces her readers to the people, places and all things Mackinac.

Check out her blog, it's really interesting and if you get to Mackinac, like I want to again, this blog will help you plan your journey north. Thanks Bree!!

Enjoy!!

Ink on my Seat

So I had a meeting downtown today. I always leave a little early, get downtown ahead of my meeting time, so I can catch up on email, chill, stop thinking, take a much needed breather - and the list goes on.

So I'm sitting in my car, enjoying the sun and people watching, doing a little work too. I'm writing notes on some documents and with my pen in my hand, put the papers in my passenger seat. What do I do? Swipe the pen right across the upholstery on my seat. Yes, the light tan colored upholstery in my car (the interior color of this car almost made me buy a different one - but I wanted white and when you buy a white Honda they give you blue or tan interior - I got tan).

Now anyone who knows me, knows I'm a fanatic about my car. I "guy" park everywhere I go to avoid door dings, I yell at people who sloppily eat in my car, etc (yeah it needs cleaned out right now but let's not bring that up).

So I'm ticked OFF!!!!!!! No let me correct that. I'm TICKED OFF!!!! P.O'd!!!!!!!!! Plenty of other expletives also describe how mad I am! I grabbed a napkin, spit on it (isn't spit supposed to be clean?? haha) and tried to blot out some of the blue gel ink. Nope. Didn't do a crappin thing to the stain. Now I'm really ticked. I called mom to Google removing ink from upholstery cause I didn't feel like googling on my phone and I needed a little therapy to keep me from hitting some innocent person. Mom finds a few options mentioned online:

1. Blot alcohol on the stain followed by blotting the stain with a paper towel. Repeat until stain removed.
2. Put hairspray on it and wash it off. Repeat until stain removed.
3. Use rubbing alcohol on it. Repeat until stain removed.
4. Use nail polish remover on it. Repeat until stain removed.

Sitting in my meeting, I'm thinking, that stupid stain is settling in my seat downstairs and I'm envisioning all kinds of trouble trying to get it out - all while concentrating deeply on the subjects being discussed in my meeting, of course.

So I come home, do my own bunch o'googlin' and decide I'm gonna try hairspray on it, since I've got an abundance of the stuff around here.

I spray the stain with hairspray. Let it sit there a minute, then using a white soapy washcloth, I blot the stain. I reblot and reblot using various sections of clean washcloth.

IT WORKED!

The stain is gone!!

Where are the pictures of said stain and now unsaid stain? Oh no. I took no photographic evidence of this frightful event in my life. Who'd want to remember this????

The Perfect Cereal Bowl

OMG. Who likes soggy cereal? I don't. No. I really don't.

The Obol solves the whole problem. It keeps your cereal and your milk separate! Hello!!!! The answer to my prayers! Check it out. This thing keeps your cereal all tucked away, perfectly dry. Then just when you think all you have is dry cereal, you can dunk your spoonful o'cereal in the milk! LOVE!

Taking Pictures and Playing with Color

I took some pictures at Grammy's house this weekend. Her star magnolia was in bloom and I couldn't pass up snapping a couple o' shots. I don't like the shots as they originally came out, so I threw them in my photo editing software, cropped them down and livened them up a little.

Original #1

Retouched and Recolored


Original #2

Retouched and Recolored


Original #3

Retouched and Recolored

Original #4


Retouched and Recolored Version 1


Retouched and Recolored Version #2

So the point of this whole post is, you can be an ok photographer, but learn your favorite photo editing software. You can turn mediocre shots into something a little more special!