STRING BEANS GIVEAWAY!

Check out Orthodox's Mom blog contest for some string bean items! http://www.orthodoxmom.blogspot.com/

So here are the rules:

1. Re-post the String Beans Inc photo and contest info on your blog!

2. Leave a comment telling Sylvia what you like best about String Beans Inc.


3. Get ready to win!

See how easy?? I'll be giving away one grand prize and 3 runner-up prizes, so there's lots of room to win! Contest will end Fourth of July at midnight! Be sure to check out her Etsy shop!I really like this, this and this. What are your favorites?

Week 2 for my AeroGarden

These pictures were taken at 2 weeks for my aerogarden. As you can tell the herbs are coming up strong! Yay! I'll keep you updated!

Celebrating my 4th Anniversary

Last weekend, Phil and I went to Cleveland and spent the weekend enjoying each other. We went on a dinner cruise on a boat called the Nautica Queen for dinner and dancing. We arrived in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon and checked into our hotel called Hyatt Regency Cleveland and the Arcade. It was absolutely beautiful. I love nice hotels! It look like a scene from the Titanic; there was a golden staircase and the suites faced out into the Arcade (not a game room but a two story shopping center). The center of the hotel had golden lampposts, it was gorgeous and the rooms were very clean! I don't know what it is about hotel toiletries but every time I go to a hotel I have to take as many as possible. It's like an obsession. The target this time....the soap in the shower. It had little massage knobs and smelled like lavender citrus. So before I could snatch the one from our shower, Phil used it and the little massage knobs went away! So Phil did something bad...he took two from the hotel maids cart... oops! Anyways so now I have some for myself.

I began getting dressed for our dinner cruise and the weather advisory came on the TV and it was pouring! I was so mad, but after I tried on a little black dress I wore for my sisters engagement party like 6 years ago and it fit well enough to wear all my anger went away and I didn't care if we had to eat in the restaurant down stairs, I was wearing that dress! On the way to the dinner boat our GPS went down because, you guessed it, it was raining! I just prayed God would let us get there on time, and about 10 minutes later we were there. The boat needed updating and we were seated on the bottom level which didn't help me feel less seasick. But once the boat took off our lovely night began. We had a wonderful dinner, great dessert and even had our picture taken by a bunch of camera guys. (It cost us $20.00 to get our pictures but it was worth it!) The DJ played great songs and Phil and I danced to a few of them. We went to the top of the boat and watched the sunset on the water, a couple celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary and we even got to witness a guy propose to his girlfriend. It was a great night.

The next day we went shopping!!! Beachwood mall was our final destination! I bought a great pair of shoes from Bakers, a few makeup products from Sephora (I love this store), and those cool colored bracelets that glitter from Aldo accessories. I am loving life!

BOOK REVIEW

THE BOLEYN INHERITANCE
BY: PHILIPA GREGORY
The Boleyn Inheritance another really good book. I give it 3 stars (out of five). This story is a bit slower than it's predecessor. Philippa Gregory does another fantastic job portraying Henry and his remaining wives. The story continues from the story of The Other Boleyn Girl allowing you to see the continuation of Henry's vengeful reign.

This story is narrated by three women heavily involved in Henry's final years as king. First, Anne of Cleves who Henry marries by merely looking at a portrait (mail order bride). Anne leaves her tiny country which included her hateful mother, and her abusive brother and arrives at a court where she fears each day she lives with the king that totally and utterly despises her. Next, Katherine Howard, a girl so young and in love and naive that she would do almost anything she is told. The king lays eyes on her for the first time and immediately lusts after her. What awaits for this poor little girl? She should have learned from past experiences, especially from her late cousin, Anne Boleyn. Finally, Jane Rochford, a women who sat and helped seal the fate of her husband and sister-in-law. Gregory carefully constructs Jane's personality to where the readers can see that Jane is filled with malice, jealousy and twisted lust. Jane just wants what she rightfully deserves, that she receives.

Well, another great book to add to the shelves! What's up next.............

Joining Fit 4 Cleveland

I am trying to lose weight, and I am a very competitive person, so I watched a commercial featuring Lebron James #23 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he was promoting the 50 million pound challenge. I went on the website and joined the team Fit 4 Cleveland. I wanted to start my own team of members so if you are interested in joining the challenge post a comment here and we'll begin losing weight and getting healthy together!

Recycle!

Okay, I was wondering what I can do to help my environment, I began googling different recycling and go green ideas and I came across this website which I thought was a great idea! This website is called Crazy Crayons and they ask that you send in your old, broken and unwanted crayons! I wish I knew about this when I was teaching, how many crayons I threw away! They take the crayons and create new ones in funny shapes and colors! If you are interested in this great idea, check out their website: http://www.crazycrayons.com/recycle_program.html

It's a cool program and great for our environment.

My 4 Year Anniversary!

Yes, today is my 4 year anniversary! God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and a wonderful 4 years married! I have been with my husband for 8 years now and it still feels like yesterday when I first laid eyes on him! I was 15 and I knew that I was in love with him. Well I never published the story of my engagement so here it is:

It was July 4th, 2003. We had a picnic planned with my sisters family at the beach. We were enjoying our day when my husband, back then boyfriend, decides he has to run and go get something from the store. I wasn't too keen on him leaving me there but I figure how long can it take 15, 20 minutes. No, more like 3 hours!!! I was so mad at him! When he came back to the beach I swore I wouldn't talk to him. Later that night we went to my parents house and he offered to take me to this golf resort to go watch the firework display. I agreed, and we headed to the ninth hole of a world renowned golf course, where he worked at the time, and he pulled out a duffel bag and blanket and set it up on a hill in the most perfect spot to see the fireworks. As we were watching the fireworks, he pulled out these sparklers that were at least 3 feet high and encircled the blanket with them. At this point I thought, wow, he is really trying to make up for leaving me all day on the 4th. He lit the sparklers they were so bright and colorful and beautiful all around us! I was so entranced by them I didn't noticed that he was on his knee and holding a box that held the most beautiful ring in the world. He said the most heartfelt words, that now are a blur since the moment was a little too much to comprehend and proposed! Here we are 4 years later still living in the moment (at times).

So anyways, enough rambling for tonight... Goodnight!

Keepin It Real!

I have been tagged by Sylvia, my favorite and only sister to participate in this meme. The intention of this meme is to see how fellow bloggers, whose lives seem to be perfect, really are in their real life environments. I thought this was really fun, but remember NO PRIMPING THE PHOTOS! This means you cannot tidy up before pics!

1. The Fridge, All I have to say is "Old Mother Hubbard went to the Fridge and it was BARE!" Okay so I have to go shopping.

2. My Closet; Okay, I moved like 4 months ago and had to downsize about twice as small as before but I think I'm doing an okay job.... maybe

3. My Kitchen Sink; I just cleaned it before I received the tag! YaY! The burgers are for dinner.


4. Toilet; What's left to say........

5. My Favorite Shoes; I love these shoes! Comfortable at first but then they need to come off! They even have real fur like substance on them, I always tell people to pet them! Thank you Steve Madden!

6. My Favorite Room; Need I say more, the only place in the house that you can go to get some peace and quiet and privacy! 7. My Favorite Spot in the House; The chaise lounge! Very comfortable and relaxing, right in front of the TV!

8. My Laundry; Yes I have to do it! Now my husband has proof!



9. Next Room that Needs to be CLEANED; This room is being used as my craft room for my swap, my bags and paper clippings, and everything else is right here! Opps...

10. My Dream Vacation; Italy!!! I want to go!!! It seems so romantic and serene. I hope to hit the lottery so I can go, the only problem is I don't play.

TAG YOUR IT:

Kelly

Jennifer

Michelle

String Beans Inc.

I found the coolest new jewlery, taken to a totally different level then what I had seen in the past. This company, String Beans Inc. is using beans and beads to create awesome looking jewelry! Check out some of these pics:

Here is the myspace address, her etsy page isn't working it seems, but as soon as its back up I will post it for everyone!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=230789106

1 Month CHINA BAN! JOIN US!

Compliments of Marfa: http://thescrumptiouslife.blogspot.com/

Are we Americans as dumb as we appear or is it that we just do not think?While the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets, the media wrings its hands and criticizes the Bush Administration for perceived errors. Yet 70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chineseshould be suspended.Well, duh.....why do you need the government to suspend tradingprivileges????DO IT YOURSELF!!Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong), simply choose another product or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, however you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer.Easter is just an example, the point is... do not wait for the government toact. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!! Thedownside? Some American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreignstockpiles of inventory.* Downside?? Is there a downside?The solution?Let's give them fair warning and send our own message. We will notimplement this UNTIL June 4, and we will only continue it until July 4. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12thof the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.Remember, June 4 to July 4. You might try it for always.Send this to everybody you know.Show them we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out ofour lives,WE DE SERVE WHAT WE GET!Pass it on, America !!!

Summer Journaling Activities for your Little Writers

Being a teacher, I have come across websites and websites of information and activities for your little ones. I am posting a journaling calendar for June. Suggestions: Allow your child to pick out and decorate a journal that they will enjoy writing in. Next, pick the perfect time of day, like in the morning, after lunch or even right before they go to sleep to write in their journals. Finally, the most important thing, ALWAYS allow your child to share their writing, maybe it can be their bedtime story or their presentation before the whole family. Make it a BIG deal! Other Journal Ideas: Traveling Journals (great if you will be taking family vacations this summer), Nature Journals etc.

Here is the June Journal Calendar! It even gives them free days and a word list up top.

Mark off each day with a sticker or stamp!http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/worksheets/journals/jc_june.pdf

Here are some great journal ideas and supplies:

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10001

http://www.orientaltrading.com/application?origin=page.jsp&namespace=search&event=button.search&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntt=journal&N=0&Ntk=all&searchTerm=journal&BP=8944&Source=Yahoo&cm_mmc=Yahoo-_-OTC+SendTec+Social+Stationery-_-journals-_-journal

My Trip to Florida

Okay I know its been a couple days since I last wrote but the last few days were filled with loading, packing, cleaning, driving, unloading and not enough sleeping. My husband and I rented our home in Florida so we needed to make the trip to Florida to bring up our stuff. We'll we've been married 4 years and I loaded up a 26 foot truck! I had to leave 3 boxes behind though so I have to find a way to get them to Ohio too. On top of the $900 to rent the truck we spent $500 in gas!!! The cheapest for diesel fuel was $4.55 a gallon all the way up to $4.75. Anyways thats not the worst part of our trip. Yesterday we unloaded our truck in the storage unit and when my almost new, cherry bedroom set came out of the truck I noticed a scratch...and then more scratches! It is ruined! I cried and threw a lampshade at my husband because he loaded my furniture uncovered and facing out!!! It was our first bedroom set that we paid for with our wedding money and he has the nerve to say "who cares, we'll replace it with whatever you want" ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Men just dont get it!!