I Can Feel The Ocean Breeze Now...

It's Saturday and nothing exciting to report from here. I feel like I'm going through a blogging slump. I have things I'd like to write about and share but just don't have the energy to do it. I'm sure you've all experienced these slumps too right?

As much as I enjoy participating in the fun things around blogland, they take effort and energy. I always have the best of intentions but then don't follow through. Real life sure does get in the way of blogging doesn't it!

Plus, I'm without a computer! I'm using hubby's right now and believe me, he asks me at least every 10 minutes if I'm finished with it yet. As my friend Jill says, talk about a "groove buster!" My computer bit the dust and I'm in mourning big time! I loved my computer (probably a little too much). My favorites, my pictures, everything, gone. I'm surprised I'm not more upset, but really, what can be done about it now.

The heat doesn't help either. It has a way of draining a person's energy. It's been almost 100 degrees everyday lately so I think summer is here to stay. I came up with the idea to run away to the beach tomorrow for a few days to escape the heat and boy did hubby jump at the idea! So that's what we're doing tomorrow, we're running away to the beach! Old downtown Ventura has cute, quaint shops so I plan on spending the next few days browsing around shops and taking long walks for exercise. The only thing missing will be my fun shopping buddies, my daughter Courtney and sister Debbie. I love shopping with these girls but hubby will do in a pinch!

So yep, the groove buster, Jake, and I will be relaxing with the cool ocean breezes for a few days. Hope your first few days of summer are relaxing too!

P.S. I'll be picking a winner tonight for my 300th post giveaway!

It's Time For A Giveaway!

I reached my 300th post recently and I definitely think it calls for a giveaway! Wow, 300 posts! I specifically remember writing that very first one. After I hit "publish post", I sat there thinking "ok, what next!?" I was afraid and excited all at the same time.

Over the last 15 months, alot of my day to day feelings have been shared, my life has been opened up and shared, and I've made wonderful friends and memories in the process. I wouldn't trade it for anything! Thank you for being on this fun journey with me!

Blogging truly has become one of my favorite things to do so that is the theme of this giveaway...favorites! It will be fun gathering up some of my favorite things to share with you. Hey, if Oprah can do it, so can I! Everyone knows that Target is my all time favorite so a $25 Target gift card will be first on the list...the rest will be a surprise!

Everyone who follows this blog are my favorites too so Saturday night I'll pick a winner from my follower list on my sidebar. It's just a small way of saying thank you for being a follower. I'll announce the winner Sunday.

So with that being said, I better get shopping!

Hide and Seek

I went to work today after being off for a week so I knew it was going to be tough getting back into the swing of things...and boy it was!

My husband went out of town yesterday so last night I got the laundry room all ready in order to leave Jake in there while I worked today. I put blankets down on the floor, food, water, the whole bit. I also blocked off the door so that he couldn't escape. Although Jake doesn't like his wheels, he's now scooting himself all over...but only when we're not home! I'm telling ya, when you leave the house, you never know where you'll find him when you return.

Today at lunch I rushed home to express Jake's bladder. Many a days I've gone my whole 12-hour shift without taking a bathroom break but there's no way I'm going to have Jake wait that long. I'm sure he doesn't have the sensation of needing to go potty, but now he's prone to UTI's, so we're really good about expressing him regularly.

Anyways, I came in the house and went straight to the laundry room...no Jake! I went from room to room to room, calling for him, couldn't find the rugrat anywhere. He was nowhere to be found! I grabbed the phone, called my husband, telling him "I can't find Jake anywhere. The alarm was on when I got home so I know no one was in the house but Jake is missing!" He says "what do you mean he's missing. It's not like he's gonna get up and walk anywhere!" Duh, I know that, but in the meantime he's missing!

Just as I was going out of Courtney's room (clear across the other side of the house), Jake pops his head out from under her bed!

Here I'm so concerned about Jake and where the little guys disappeared to and hubby's only worried that Jake's gonna leave a trail of poop while he's meandering about the house. Well, truth be told, he's already left a trail of poop while meandering about the house...a few times!

Soooo, long story short, we've now discovered we can't trust a paralyzed dog! Well guess what, Jake's in for a little surprise! We'll soon be bringing out something from his past. Watch out Jake, the trusty old baby gate is coming out of retirement! There's gonna be no more escaping the laundry room now buddy!

If you just weren't so darn cute...

It's Friday

And I'm nosy...

So here's the question: Are you a follower of my blog? If so, be prepared, I feel a giveaway coming on! I just reached my 300th post!

Have a great day!

Thrifty Thursday

Thank you Leigh for hosting Thrifty Thursday each week. To join in the fun or to visit other Thrifty Thursday participants, click here.

Even though I'm fairly new to the world of thrifting, it didn't take me long to discover that it's "hit and miss" with thrifting. Some trips to the Goodwill are fruitful and some not so much. Lucky for me, my recent trip to the Goodwill was a hit.

I've got definite plans for the goodies I brought home...all of which are in the process of getting spray paint make-overs.


The 3-tier shelf was $3.79. It was off white and covered with rust. I washed it down good, sanded over the rust areas, and gave it a fresh new coat of paint. We'll be redoing 2 bathrooms soon and I thought this might be nice in one of them. For now, I've got it in one of the bathrooms, sitting on the back of the toilet.


Not bad for $3.79 wouldn't you say!? It's now a dark color and goes great with the dark new hardware that's already been put on the cabinets.

As far as my other goodies, I spray painted the candle holders black...thinking ahead for Halloween! The red wire hanger will soon be white. Won't it be cute to use for different types of ornaments for holidays such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine's Day! And last but not least, I've got some fun plans for the plate. I liked the plate because it has pre-made holes in the back so that it can be hung from ribbon. Believe it or not, you can spray paint plates and I gave it a once over today. I'll be sure and post a picture of the plate project when I'm finished.

So there you have it, my Thrifty Thursday finds. Hope your latest thrifting trips have been as fruitful as mine.

The Teachings Of Jon

Just wanted to share this touching clip with you. It's amazing to me how God puts just the right people in just the right families.

I think I've fallen in love with Jon.

I Have A Question For You...

Does anyone do this anymore besides me?














Ironing is a lost art I tell you.

My mom taught me how to iron at a very early age, grade school age. I've always liked ironing. I find it relaxing and it's the only time that I watch TV. I usually iron for a few hours straight, ironing 30+ pieces at a time.

I remember being in about 4th or 5th grade and doing my mom's ironing for her. She showed me how to dampen the clothes using a coke bottle filled with water. We had this little bottle stopper with holes in the top that fit on the coke bottle. I'd sprinkle the clothes with water, roll them up really tight, then stick them in the refrigerator. I'd take them out one by one and just iron away. I felt so grown up and I really was a good little ironer.

When I was in 6th grade, my uncle hired me to do his ironing for him. He was a single guy and he hated to iron. He wore large size dress shirts, which I starched and ironed. He paid me .25 cents for each shirt and let me tell you, I thought I was making alot of money. I was so disappointed when he got married because I lost my job!

As I got older and had kids, I continued to iron...and iron...and iron. Thinking back on it now, I was always ironing...but my kids sure looked great! I remember my good friend Carole telling me that her daughter said my son was one of the best dressed kids in their high school. I said, "yah, tell me about it. I'm the one buying and ironing all those clothes!"

And I still iron. I iron my shorts, pants, dresses, skirts,
t-shirts, tops, scrub tops, pants, and jackets. I even iron tablecloths and napkins.

I know what you're thinking...weird OCD menopausal woman here, and you're probably right.

But hey, if I should ever decide to abandon my nursing career, I could take up ironing for a living...but you better believe I'll be charging more than a quarter!