I'm still thinking of you....

Dear sweet blog....Here's what I wrote on my Xanga: "Dear Xanga, This is not a break-up letter. I have not forgotten you. I just need to figure out how to work you in. I am sorry. I still love you. I will write more...in 2010. Or figure out...where we stand. "

OMG...This is EXACTLY how I feel about you, dear WISEGAL. Stay tuned. I will figure something out in the next two weeks. It's just that Examiner is a paying gig. I just need how to earn money from YOU. That sounds HORRIBLE doesn't it. I really like you better. I have no restrictions/ no parameters/ no rules. It's just you and me.

Oh the dilemma. God will show me. Maybe at Faithwalkers. I need to have a man to man with God. He needs to guide me. Until then...Your ...i'd like to say 'faithful' friend, but I haven't been that....so....your friend. Friends by faith.

WiseGal, so sorry....

WiseGal, I'm so sorry I've neglected you. I'm not breaking up with you. I just have my priorities conflicted. Christmas, Christmas Examiner, WeightWatchers, Family, Lifetime, Family, Evergreen, Growth Group, ChrisKnoxPhotography...Oh, the dilemma. I will come back. And I will figure out a way for us to continue our relationship. Keep looking out the window for me. Love, Your Friend

Bright Smile/ Premium White

Don't buy this! Don't be an idiot like I was. I fell for this gimmick. WISE GAL...SOME WISE GAL I AM! My husband just lectured: "if a deal sounds too good to be true, it IS too good to be true."

I am sick to my stomach. I will never fall for a ploy like this again. I am 59 years old. I should have known better.

CHRISTMAS EXAMINER

Hi my friends, and Happy Holidays! Thanksgiving is coming, and guess what I'm happy about? I snagged a writing gig, as the "Christmas Examiner" for EXAMINER.COM. I get to write my little heart out, covering all things Christmas. You can subscribe to me, and help me build my readership! And let me tell you--I'm not going to get rich on this. But I will get writing experience, and will learn lots of neat, techy things, so it will be highly challenging, fun, and rewarding. Drop me ideas if you want me to cover a certain topic. However, I have about 30 great ideas already. Hopefully, I'll get a new post written today...and tomorrow...and the next day....God bless you, and God bless ME!

Cheap, easy downloaded Music

I just joined Netted...a site that tells you about all the new, cool websites sprouting up out there. They send you a daily email [which may be more than I want...], and my very first one is very helpful. Read on and enjoy Netted.

Easy Listening
The Simplest, Most Affordable Way To Buy (And Store) Music Online
The most frustrating aspect of buying music online is the inability to listen to a complete song or album before you purchase. (Even Nickelback is palatable in a 30 second snippet).
Lala.com is changing the game by allowing users to listen to any of the 8 million songs on the site for free, in their entirety, in an ad-free environment.
Granted, you can only listen once. But if you like the song you can buy a web version of it for a mere 10 cents.It's then saved in your personal library, accessible from any browser, including the one in your phone. Your music is on the “cloud” whenever you want to listen. MP3 versions are available for an additional 79 cents (yes, that's cheaper than those other guys who sell tunes). These are loaded straight into iTunes and, because they are DRM-free, can be played on any device you have. Lala.com, one of the providing partners for the newly launched Google Music, has agreements with the four major record labels and more than 170,000 independent labels and distributors. This means all the music is licensed (and legal). In other words, your days as a music pirate may be over.
Visit Lala.com

Getting the jump on Christmas

We Minneapolitans have been blessed with a virtual Indian summer the past two weeks. Days of 50 degree weather and occasional sunshine mean one thing in mid-November: Christmas decorations! It's time to put up those Christmas decorations before the weather turns on us again and starts snowing!

Why wait until after Thanksgiving? The weather's perfect for putting up those Christmas lights (who wants to wait until it's 10 below/ and snow flurries are whipping your face). Start digging out your arsenal of Christmas decorations from up in the attic, or under the stairs. Do your inventory. What's passe, broken, or boring, and what do you need [want] to buy, replace, or think about.

The superstores' ad circulars are a great place to browse. You might even want to take a 'window-shopping' stroll around some of your favorite store's Christmas aisles.There are wonderful items out there and great prices. The stores want to get you in their buildings, and they’re having lots of great sales. The superstores like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards are having an abundance of price-beating sales. The craft stores like Michaels and Jo Ann's not only have sales on things like trees, and ornaments, but they have classes and contests appealing to the handmade/ homemade craftsmen and entrepreneurs.

Don’t forget Martha Stewart and all the Home shows on TV and in the magazines. You can read the magazines, and watch the TV shows, and then go to the local shops to duplicate the ideas for cheaper prices and less ‘foo foo’ directions. How about the gingerbread house tree? Go to MarthaStewart.com and learn how to make the swag decorate the house and the tree. Or you can go to Michaels and do it on the cheap Martha style!

But whatever your style or budget….now is the time to ‘seize the day’ and get out there, and organize yourself and do your planning and shopping and decorating, while the weather is great and while the sales are going on and while you’re still in a wonderful, festive mood. Fa La La La La!!

I can't believe I just did this

Have you ever fallen 'victim' to some unbelieveably great claim on Aol News, that pops up every morning when you turn on your computer? Well I...[sheepishly she said]...just did. I fell for the claim: "Don't Break the Bank: A Mom's Trick to Whiter Teeth!" advertising the two-punch jab of teeth-whitening miracles using DAZZLE SMILE and Premium Whiting. I FELL for it! But I'm only out $3 for both, if they don't work! But if they work, I'm the WINNER! [They're REALLY for my husband. My teeth are ridiculously white (she lied.) ] I just hope it's not some big computer scam to get my credit card number. Stay tuned for further reports on ridiculously whitened teeth for only $3! Woo Hoo!

THE BEST HALLOWEEN COSTUME

Will the REAL Brent Knox please stand up!
Which is better? To GO as 'Brent Knox' or to BE 'Brent Knox?'
When did 'Brent Knox' BECOME a COSTUME?
Is it TRUE that you attain CELEBRITY status, when people start being 'YOU' at Halloween parties?
Cool! Brent! You've attained.
This rates right up there with Jim Carrey going as the Geico Caveman. Funny stuff.

A Few of my Favorite Things...I mean, People!

Some of my favorite blogs/ and writers/ and people.

My son Nate: http://knoxesque.wordpress.com/

His girlfriend, and my friend, Sarah: http://minnesotakitsch.blogspot.com/

My niece and special "Pick" partner, Casey: http://teenfashionista.blogspot.com/

Who? Who?

November 2nd, and my thoughts turn to...well, surfing the Net trying to find deals. Today I found this cute little pillow at Urban Outfitters. Check out their sale section. It's a lot of fun. Very old school, 60's, hippie.

TONITE'S DINNER

You know how much I enjoy cooking. Well....that's not really true. I enjoy EATING good cooking, and I'd MUCH prefer someone else doing the cooking. At times I coveted Oprah's personal cook, Rosie, thinking that'd be the life, to have your own personal cook. I'd be REALLY FAT, though, if that was the case. I digress...back to tonite's dinner. I'm going to try morphing two delicious sounding recipes together, that I found on KITCHN's website. I'm going to morph Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan's version of Jamie Oliver's Chicken in Coconut recipe with Jaimie's original recipe. Chicken in Milk, and do my WeightWatcher's magic on them. I'm going to lighten them up, and lower the 'Points' value. That's been the thing that's benefitted me most as a 'Lifetime' member, for 9 years. I just hope this is going to be as fabulous as Faith Durand swears!

OCTOBER IN MINNESOTA

Today is project day. This was the first summer in years that I haven't gotten my windows washed. So today, it's on my 'to do ' list, with many other things. Here's my 'to do' list.

1. Wash windows with my new Oxo squeegee. You can use this for your windows, then transfer it to your shower. It's the BEST. It will squeegee off EVERY drop! Yay Oxo! I love their products.

2. Arrange my newly cut and dried hydrangeas. You can even buy pre-arranged, already-dried hydrangea bouquets on Ebay.

3. Take care of my sick boy. I was originally going to go buy 'cold' ingredients for a cold. Now we think he has swine flu. He has ALL the symptoms: body aches, fever, cough, sore throat. Because of our crummy insurance, I asked the pharmacist what the cost of Tamiflu is. 10 tablets cost $100. So...guess what. Sonny boy, is going to get lots of water, rest, juice, rest, and mother-care. No Tamiflu for this patient.

NATE THE GREAT

This is my cutie pie son Nate the Great. Nate just graduated from college. Pray for him to get a job. If you own your own firm, or know a firm that is hiring writers, journalists, PR or marketing people in the MPLS area....give me your info and I'll pass it on to Nate. The Great!

Exercise Clothes

Help me, anybody! I need to buy some exercise clothes to wear to the 'club.' Lifetime. I LOVE MY LIFETIME! But I need to wear some REAL exercise clothes. And I don't know where to begin. Nothing really looks quite right. I think that's why I swim. I KNOW what to wear in the water. But I'm clueless on what to wear doing the elliptical, or the weight machines, or the bike. I'm freezing when I go/ but then I get to hot when I'm exercising. Oh the dilemma. Someone help me out!

Red Flats

A while back my niece, TEEN FASHIONISTA, asked her readers for their opinion on cute red flats. Then I received an Eddie Bauer catalog, which I only casually peruse. They had some cute things in there. Comfortable Born boots for winter. Some cute Yoga Wear And then I spotted them: RED Eddie Bauer Buckle-Toe Flats. Check these cutie pies out. Now only if I could try them on in their store...

HORSE SOLDIERS

I just got HORSE SOLDIERS from the library for my hubby to read on vacation. However, being on the bestseller list/ the reserve list was greatly backlogged. Vacation is over, he has no time to read. And they'll only let us have it for 2 weeks. Then on to the next person on the reserve list. So I started it/ just to see if it was any good. And Doug Stanton had me at "Trouble came in the night." It is a suspenseful thriller, believe you me. But it true/ and is still happening in Afghanistan. It's a bit like THREE CUPS OF TEE, but all about the military efforts in Afghanistan, by our precious boys, 'the HORSE SOLDIERS.' I can't tell you anymore cuz I'm only on p. 28. Gotta read faster. Only 10 more days, and ticking fast. Gonna have to go to Lifetime and play like I'm biking, but I'm really reading! I wrote my brother and told him to buy it on 'tape' and listen to it. Bet it's great that way. It reminds me of the TV show THE UNIT, but in book form. Here's to Horse Soldiers and high blood pressure!

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!

My dear friends: I am so sorry I've been absent in my writing. Something threw me for a loop. My son, not meaning to, influenced me negatively, by criticizing my writing and my blog. It totally shot my confidence. I wavered. Tottered. Went totally insecure. And the fruit? The consequences? I stopped writing. Darn him! I'll never listen to him again. I'll just throw myself headlong into my writing, and if no one reads me...and nothing becomes of my blog, THAT'S OKAY. So I'll be back. I just need to compose myself, organize myself, find my voice, find my audience...and START WRITING AGAIN. With that said...I've got to go on my newfound love....BIKE-RIDING AT SUNSET POND! Adieu, mes amies.

Microcotton Towels...mmmmm

We have three weddings we are attending this August. We have also been talking alot about weddings around this home. It makes me start thinking, "If I were to register for my bridal gifts...what would I register for?" One of the must-haves on my registry list would be
Macy's Hotel Collection "Microcotton" Luxury Towel Collection. We have two of these in our home. Four people fight over the two. They're the best towels I've ever used, and I'm 58, so try to beat THAT! I'm going to use my sale coupons, and buy a few more, in different colors, so no more fighting, and everyone will have their color-coded towel. Mmm...which color should I select? Basil? Twilight? Aegean?

CHERRY PITTERS UNITE!

Yesterday at WeightWatchers we talked about how to get more fruit into our lives. We talked about freezing berries and grapes, and eating them, instead of chips and crackers. One of my members freezes cherries...pit and all. Not me. I'm gonna get one of these nifty Oxo Good Grips Cherry Pitters, for $12.95, from Amazon or Target. Used like a little hole-puncher thingy, you just clamp and spit! So...for a frozen treat to die for...or to include in your KITCHN Back to Basics Cherry Pie recipe...line up for your cherry picker. Behind me, excuse me!

Save the Children re-useable shopping bag

I ran into T.J. Maxx to pick up a wonderful, cozy blanket as a thank-you gift for the friends who loaned us their 'up north' cabin for a relaxing vacation. As I was walking up to the cashier, I saw these adorable re-usable shopping bags, for only $.99. I can't resist these bags, even though I ALWAYS forget to bring them along when I shop. But the resourceful woman that I am, I told the cashier as he was pulling out yet another plastic bag to bag my items, "You can just put them in there, and save yourself a bag!" [Yippee! Good for me!] When I got home, I kept admiring the unloaded bag. Then, when I got ready to bag up the blanket for my friend, I thought, "Gosh, for 99 cents, this is a cheap gift-wrapping bag/ plus they get a secondary gift of a re-useable shopping bag." I think I'm going to run back up to T.J. Maxx and buy a LOT more, and use them for the up-coming weddings we have yet to attend! It's the perfect size for those bigger, wedding gifts. Plus...here's the kicker: The bags are designed with Save the Children original children’s artwork, and for each bag purchased, T.J. Maxx will donate one basic item such as; socks, underwear and backpacks to Save the Children’s U.S. programs, up to 25,000 items. Isn't that cool! So you too can go buy these bags....if I don't beat you to it, and buy the whole kitn'kaboodle.

Heinz Catsup

I love Heinz Ketchup. My parents were Brooks Catsup brand-loyalists. I have carried few brand-loyalties from them. Heinz is an example. I just like it better. That was until Heinz designed the new, stand-on-its-head, cap. Cute idea. Bad execution. First off, it's too bulky and heavy to hold. Second of all...it squirts on and splatters all over....you, your plate, the counter. Boo Hiss. My adult kids hate the bottling too. And so do all their friends. I decided to complain about it. Evidently other people are complaining too. I hope it results in a change. One thing it did result in was some coupons. They want to make it right. They better. They don't want me turning to Hunts, now, do they? P.S. Notice the "Splat your friends with the world's favorite ketchup?" And they think 'Splatting' is a GOOD thing?

THE PERFECT COFFEE/ TEA 'TRAVEL' MUG

I have been on the hunt to find the 'perfect' coffee "travel" mug. It's been a challenge. You think you've found the perfect one, and then you discover that it's either non-dishwasher-able, or non-microwaveable. Those are ABSOLUTE requirements in my book. Plus they have to be big, cuz I like my coffee! And of course, being cute would also make me happy. Well...I found THE PERFECT COFFEE MUG. At the PERFECT STORE--my local SUPER-TARGET. I heart Super-Targets. Doesn't EVERYONE? Well...anyway...back to my mug. It's made by Aladdin [of course...the genie in the bottle story, and all that....or was that a magic carpet? oh well, nevermind!]

The mug is called the Essential Infuser. It holds 12 oz.s and it comes in cute colors: fuschia, steele blue, and lime green. I bought the lime green one. It can hold your coffee, or you can make fresh coffee or tea in it, with its own built-in infuser. What a clever, cool, creative idea. Aladdin. Gotta have one.

NEW 2010 IKEA CATALOG COMING SOON!

I just opened up my link to Apartment Therapy/ KITCHN and discovered the MOST EXCITING NEWS! The new 2010 Ikea catalog is coming soon. Drool, drool! I heart Ikea. Apartment Therapy lists their top ten fave items. I'll do mine someday. But for now...just wanted to inform you of the good news. See you there for their sweet/ cheap scrambled egg breakfast. And they have leather sofas you can curl up on, instead of uncomfortable stainless steel dining furniture. Ouch. Did I tell you, I heart Ikea?

USB Port and Fan...gotta get one!

I want this, even if I don't know what it is, how to use it, nor am I a MAC user. It's just CUTE! It looks like something from Sweden....Something Ikea would sell.

Anne Lamott: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

I am so bad about finishing books. The Ladies 1st Detective Agency is sitting on my end table, looking at me, hinting, "Hey...I'm over here. You're not finished with me yet!" On my search for a good book to take to the cabin...I got very A.D.D. perusing Amazon book reviews. I got thinking about future Christmas and birthday gifts. Since I am a Molly Wizenberg fan, and love her column in Bon Appetit, I decided to buy her book, The Homemade Life. Then Amazon did one of those, "If you like THAT...then you will like THIS!" things on me. They nudged me in the ribs with Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, 'some instructions on Writing and Life.' Let's just say they got me at 'Writing.'
My book arrived yesterday. I decided just to read a sentence or two, to see if my judgment was still good. I got hook- line-and sinkered. I ended up on my deck after dinner, reading 4 chapters, dirty dishes, waiting for me , feeling abandoned.
So, Anne Lamott is now my new friend. She and I think alike. She is a writer, I am a writer [but not as good as Anne Lamott.] I am not really a writer. I am a blogger. I bet Anne Lamott would like blogging. It's fast, and gives you the same kind of thrill of 'getting published.' Well, a blog is NOT EXACTLY getting published. But KINDA. Here's what Anne [I call her Annie...] says about writing: "It provides some sort of primal verification: you are in print; therefore you exist."

Loeckens: 100,000 Good Deeds!

These guys used to go to Evergreen. Jay used to be the worship leader. Then they moved to Atlanta. Beth took up modeling, as a side-line job. God blessed her with great beauty, but an even more beautiful heart and spirit and faith. Read about what they and their family are doing today. http://www.lhj.com/volunteering/volunteering-road-trip/They are a modern-day example of Romans 12: 9, NLT: "Don't just pretend to love others. REALLY love them!" Keep shining, Loeckens!

Minneapolis Weather

God and I are going to have to have a little talk about this September-feeling summer we're having. I don't know exactly what I think I about how cool it's been. Do I like it? or do I be-grudge that we're not having nice, hot, sunny days? I AM thrilled that there has been nairy a mosquito so far this summer, and it's July 22! How wierd is THAT! Yes, I'm thrilled. I've been sitting out on my deck in the evenings and READING and none of those little critters have bothered me at ALL! Hallelujah! Just had to express this, the weather girl that I am!

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

My friend 'Book Lady', I mean Lynnie Pooh Bear....recommended I read THE NO. 1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, by Alexander McCall Smith. I am loving it. It's captivating [shouldn't EVERY book be?], and full of reflective, pensive, quotable quotes. Like: "There was a school run by an old Anglican priest and a white woman whose face had been half-destroyed by the sun." [I saw at man at Target the other day whose face was like this!]. Another great quote about homeland: "....every man has a map in his heart of his own country and ... the heart will never allow you to forget this map." Oh...that touched me. And then a spiritual element: "Not a day passes, though, that my mind does not go to God, and to thoughts of what it will be like to die....So I think of God and wonder what he will say to me when i stand before him." And this one killed me: "To lose a child, like that, was something that could end one's world. One could never get back to how it was before. The stars went out. The moon disappeared. The birds became silent." Like I say...that one pained me.

But please, don't let my pain, deter you from reading this book. It ranks up there with Fried Green Tomatoes, and The Shell-Seekers. Contemporary classics. Enjoy

On to other things

The Tour de France. Hmmm....think I need a new bike helmet...maybe a new bike, definitely new bike shorts, and cool sunglasses. Plus a water holder for my water. Think I'm covered. Now just for the legs. And France. And the Alps. I HEART FRANCE. And I really like Lance Armstrong. Show 'em what you got, Lance! Your twitter friend, Mary. P.S. I heart twitter too!

Housekeeping....

We're having people over today. That means cleaning house, prepping foods, and other such sundry stuff [eloquent, aren't I!] I've discovered several cleaning items i LOVE. First off...I'm a firm believer in using 'generic' store brands....like instead of buying Glad Wrap...I buy Target's brand of glad wrap. You always save about a dollar...and Really...can you find ANY difference? I don't think so. This week...I was impressed with SHOUT! fabric stain remover. My son was in charge of grilling burgers at Padilla for the company grill-out. During the time, he got charcoal mess all over his new pants. He complained that he was going to have to buy all new pants. But SHOUT! came to the rescue. Totally removed the two stains. Then I used the Target brand of carpet stain remover....It's a miracle product. Spray it on a carpet stain...rub it around with your fingers...and voila...in a few hours, the stain is GONE, GONE, GONE!

Bird by Bird...a book on Writing. I like this. I found this on Molly Wisenberg's blog [blog: ORANGETTE, and author of Bon Appetit articles, and her own 'cookbook/ book of prose': A Homemade Life. Molly recommends this book by Annie Lamont....And Molly is such a good writer...I'll read ANYTHING she recommends.

Visions of ....dance in my head

Going to bed, after a full day of WeightWatchers, interesting members, some weighing in, some staying for meetings, some not. Then a LOVELY walk at the Edina Centennial Lakes Park. It is my most favorite walking park in the cities. http://www.centenniallakespark.com/content/facilities/centennial_lakes/attractions/index.htmAfter that, a great time and a good haircut at Rocco Altobelli's. I had the most beautiful, most fun, and interesting hair stylist: Laura, from Rochester and Santa Monica. She has a 14 month old daughter named Lila. I think I'll start praying for her, and invite her to church. She was so beautiful. She looked like a mixture of Heidi Klum and Gwyneth Paltrow. Gorgeous. In my head I was thinking, when she asked me what I wanted done, I'd reply, "I want you to make me look like YOU!" HA HA. Well, good night, my pretties.

TOUR DE FRANCE

I am getting my Francophile fix by watching the Tour De France! I love seeing the castles, the small towns, the farm fields, the sunflower fields. Oh, and I like watching the race too![Here: you can follow it too! http://www.versus.com/tdf ] It's so interesting! But not the crashes. Watching the TDF makes me want to go to France more than ever! And the Alps are coming up soon! I want to go to France ! [tantrum!] Vive la France!

Pee Gee Hydrangea: MY FAVE

I am looking out on our lovely yard and gardens, thinking about what I want my gardener-hubby to plant next. I often ask for a new plant or flower for our garden, for my birthday or Mother's Day, or Anniversary, or...well...you get the picture. My next request is going to be for the Pee Gee Hydrangea. Do you ever see a creation of beauty, and it just does a fireworks explosion in your heart emotionally? That's what the Pee Gee Hydrangea does for me. And not only are they beautiful in your yard, but they are lovely to dry and use in dried flower arrangements. So perfect! So easy! Discover it, and fall in love with it yourself!

KITCHEN SCOOP: old Desperation Dinners

My friend Nicki introduced me to DESPERATION DINNERS, by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross. It's MY kind of cooking. Fast, easy, cheap, delicious, creative, modern. But for whatever reason, they changed the website to Kitchen Scoop. http://kitchenscoop.com/recipes/amazing-steaks/ Look for the Amazing Steak recipe on their website. I am SO grilling that this summer....er...or...should I say BRENT is! Happy Grilling Season!

I HEART APRONS!

I got my first apron as a wedding gift. It was a handmade apron by Vicki Botkin. Very old school, retro, hippie. I used it as a kitchen decoration at first. But then I started wearing it. And I've been wearing aprons ever since. Going on 30 years.

Why do I wear aprons? I wear aprons to keep my clothes clean. If I so much as step one toe into the kitchen, food spatters jump at me, and glom on to my pretty clean clothes. I wear aprons to protect myself.

It all came together in my head when I took the boys on a Living History field trip. The female 'actors' for the Living History Farm were all wearing aprons. They explained it so: "We wear aprons, because we only do laundry once a week. This way, our aprons get dirty, and not our clothes. " It made sense to me!

But EVERYONE would wear aprons if they could wear aprons from Anthropologie. Anthropologie sells the CUTEST aprons. Here's a link for their apron page. http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp?popId=EATING&navAction=poppushpush&navCount=26&pushId=EAT_APRONS&id=EAT_APRONS_FULL And here are some pictures of cute aprons. I can't decide which I like the best. I guess I'll just have to buy them all!

JULY 7TH...WHAT A DAY!

I start this post with the phrase 'EEE GADS!!!' Do you ever feel like a day's going to be so challenging that all you can do is scream, "Eee Gads!!!!!!!!" That's today. In a few hours, my seester Katie, from San Diego, who's visiting family in WI, is coming here for a 24 hour visit. We'll hit the pavement running. Mall of America, exquisite dinner on our gazebo-ed deck, watching Michael Jackson memorial coverage...yes...that's what Early's do... So...you won't hear from me for a while, for I am too ...well...running around! But I just HAD to post my quiet time today...even if it means my house isn't spectacularly cleaned for Katie's arrival. She'll understand. It's Michael Jackson's memorial day. Who has time to clean when you've got your eyes glued on the Staples Center. [just kidding...I've tivo-ed it, for later enthrallment.] My quiet time: way better than anything on TV.Psalm 37: Living Bible...first many verses: " Never envy the wicked!.Trust in the Lord instead.Be kind and good to others;then you will safely here in the land and prosper....Be delighted in and with the Lord. Then he will give you all your heart's desires.Commit everything you do to the Lord [Yes...even your day with Katie...yes...even your dinner, and therapy, and shopping...and cleaning...]Rest in the Lord! [boy did i need THAT!]Wait patiently for him to act.Don't fret and worry. [boy did i need THAT!]Those who trust the Lord shall be given EVERY BLESSING.All who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing and shall have wonderful peace. 'oKAY...was that not the BEST! Hope you are as blessed by it as I was. So...gotta run...carpets, toilets, therapy, Aldis...you name it...I got to do it. Peace! [And pray the whole world watching the MJ events, will be brought closer and closer to the Lord, via this man's life and death. "It's better to go to a house of mourning than a house of feasting, for therein lies wisdom. And the wise should take this to heart." Ecclesiastes.

This is such fun

Son Nate just taught me how to post pictures with my blogs. Get ready for some fun up ahead. Peace, and thank God for Independence!

Sanuk Shoes

Sanuks. My son Nate bought these nifty, cool, new, comfortable shoes. Very casual, beater look. Every rock star should have them. Check them out on Amazon. They have all the styles, colors, vibes. Too cool.

BENEFIT AUCTIONS/ Event Planner

Need a Benefit Auctioneer? an Event Planner? These are the gals for you!http://www.sjbenefitauctions.com/aboutus.html

First off, the adorable auctioneer is Sarah Whitson. Secondly, the Event Planner is her adorable mother Trudi Whitson. They come from an extraordinarily talented gene pool. Contact them for all your auction and event needs. You will NOT be disappointed! P.S. Not to toot the Knox horn, but the photos were done by Chris Knox Photography! [who's that? ]

3rd of July

Hubbie and I are getting a taste of the 'empty nest.' Our sons are at the 3rd of July 'Bloomington Fete!' Hubbie is at church; I am at home, doing home-ly things: laundry, dishes, etc. Today I am trying some new domestic products. Product #1 : SMELLY WASHER.COM CLEANER. I read about this in the STARTRIBUNE about a year ago. I just got around to buying it today. Its selling points: removes washer odors, removes towel mildew, up to 24 treatments for under $20, easy to use, all natural. Who can beat that! I'll tell you in upcoming posts what I think of it, and if it works. Google it at above .com address!
The 2nd product I'm trying is DRYEL . In this bad economy, I thought I'd try to save money and skip the drycleaners, and try drycleaning, myself, at home! $6.99. Not a bad price for 4 bags of drycleaning! Again...I'll let you know, soon, how it goes.
And lastly...Kiwi Select Sport Fast-Acting Cleaner. What you use to make white leather sports shoes WHITER! Son #2 gave Husband #1 [one and only!] his old white sport shoes...scuffs and all! So...when Hub #1 gets home, we'll give it a try.
p.s. As always, I welcome comments and advice from the 'peanut gallery.' Peace

4th of July

You all know, tomorrow is the 4th of July. I was planning on grilling these great sausages I got from Sam's club. Unfortunately, they were so good, we ate them all! So...what kind of friend would I be if I didn't tell you about them? I don't know the company: but here's the description: Chicken, spinach, Asiago cheese sausages. They are already cooked, so all you have to do is grill them for a few minutes, to warm them up. They are only 3 WW points! And SO TASTY...so SPICY! The PERFECT 4th of July go-to food! Put it on a 1point Village Hearth Lite Hot Dog bun, and there you have it! Enjoy! I will make a watermelon, feta cheese, basil salad. And a lightened up BLT pasta salad. No dessert planned. But who will miss that!
So...I wish you a very independant 4th of July! Have fun doing whatever you're gonna be doing. I will be cleaning, getting ready for my SanDiego sister to visit.! Love my sister! Rock on!

Arnold Select: Sandwich Thins

And now...for my first tip, just in time for 4th of July, and all its grilling thrills and challenges. Need a bun? A piece of toast? Try Arnold Select Sandwich Thins...100 cal, 1 fat, 5 fiber, and voila! 1 WW point! And they're good and tasty! Us WW members gotta love it! One day this week I ate a tuna salad [ tuna, chopped eggs, onions, FF mayo] sandwich 3 times! Breakfast, lunch, dinner...each time on my new Arnold Selects! Sam's Club, baby! http://arnold.gwbakeries.com/product.cfm/upc/7341013548

My purpose....

My purpose with my blog, is to help YOU become the best, most fulfilled, creative, frugal, satisfied, emulatory [one who others want to emulate...did i just make up a word? i don't know...did i? ] home&family maker-builder-developer you can be. I have been a thrilled and satisfied and excited woman/wife/ mother/ friend/ fully-devoted-follower of Jesus Christ, for over 30 years. And my passion is to help YOU become THAT too! So this is the place to check out on a regular basis, to see how and what the God of all creation inspires me to say and do! It'll be a neat exploration together! On with the journey!

Hello new friends

Hello new friends. I am SO EXCITED to be an official blogger on Blogger or Blogspot or whatever we call it. I have been 'xanga-ing' since September of 2005. I decided it was time to go BIG, and join the REAL WORLD of BLOGGING. So here we go....and HERE I am.
A few things about me. i like to write in small caps. is it easier? yes. is it faster? yes. am i lazy? no. i just need fast and easy.
So stay tuned...I have lots to say. Lots on my mind. Lots on my heart. I look forward to you and i becoming fast friends.
Peace out...and I'll see you soon. Same time, same place. Here. Hasta manana!