Ok.

Ooooo Kay.

In two days the bathroom remodel (that has been desperately needed for over 10 years) begins in full force.  Our cast iron tub will be demolished with a sledgehammer, our old parquet floor will be torn up, cracked sink thrown in the dumpster and the walls will come a tumblin' down.  I'm trying to focus on what the final product will be - not on the…

I am so disappointed in myself!

I started a blog in 2008 and found wonderful guidance through Mom Bloggers Club along with fantastic connections that created a few friendships that I still have to this day.  Recently MBC posted "Spruce Up Your Blog In 10 Easy Steps".  Really good tips and resources.  One I definitely needed, since my blog has been around for so long, was the BrokenLinkCheck.com.  When this service was finished with my free scan I was shocked at how many links I had to…

I started to let my anxiety and low self-esteem take over my mind this morning.  I really didn't want to feel that way so I fought to keep these emotions at bay and I fought hard.  It's been 3 hours now and, so far so good.  What did I do?  Let's see...

• I forced myself to smile.  Sometimes it turned into a slight grin, but a…

A few weeks ago I made a promise to myself that I would not go seeking negativity in the news or on social media.  I have a tendency to hold the sad stories I read in my head and heart and it hurts.  It's one thing to empathize with someone's sad story but it's another when you continue to mull it over in your brain.…

I have been blogging since 2008 and yes, there have been periods of time when I think my words are pretty much spent.  'I've talked about this before' or 'No one's commenting so is anyone even reading my words?' or, a thought that happens more often than not, 'I re-e-e-ally want to write out this experience but if the people I'm writing about read this I would be mortified.  I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings'.  These thoughts, and some others, have held me in what I thought was a blog…

As our family counts down the days of Summer time fun I have my eyes on ads for Back-To-School deals.  ’Tis the season to buy packs of pencils, stacks of notebooks, grand entrance tops and shiny shoes.  (My youngest loves anything with sparkles.)  Are you all set with your Back-To-School shopping?  Getting organized with spending is an…

I've been trying to locate Bloggers specifically in the Eugene/Springfield, OR area and it's actually pretty difficult.  I thought I would find many fellow Bloggers who would love to attend a party being thrown by See's Candies just for Bloggers.  They have a new store opening in Eugene and they are sharing chocolate tastings, store tours, party packs, prizes and more.  Sounds like fun!  But, where are my Eugene/Springfield Bloggers?  Or, Portland area?  Hmmm...  

If you are…

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Check it out here:  …

I've received great written guidance (from a fellow Mom Bloggers Club member :-> ) on how to transfer my blog from Blogger to Wordpress.org but I'm stressed about it.  I look at the instructions and I feel my brain swirl.  I intended to make the switch two weeks ago but I find "convenient" excuses and I just keep pushing it back.

Have you paid to have someone do the job for you?  How did it go?…

Sure, there are blog hops, and they are a wonderful way to be introduced to bloggers that you haven't "met".  But how about meeting bloggers and having a little party at the same time?  Back in 2008 I started the Virtual Girls Night Out and it's a great Friday night party-in-your-fuzzy-slippers kind of vibe and, if you choose, you can leave your blog link and fellow guests should…

I'm getting back into the swing of things with a party I started back in 2008 (I can't believe it was that long ago!)  Come join the fun at the Virtual Girls Night Out!  

I started this party on a summer night when my girls had friends over and I was in need of adult conversation and fun.  While my girls watched High School Musical I created my own party…

Truth time here - even though it's embarrassing.  I'm beginning to feel like a loser.  I've been blogging for a few years now and in the beginning I made lots of wonderful connections with incredible people. The connections were constant and terrific. Over the years my attention to my blog withered but I kept in touch with a handful of bloggers that I call friends.  Over the last couple of months I've felt the need to reconnect with the blogosphere and have been paying closer attention to my…

I'm in the process of choosing a new blog design.  While looking over my selections I see that if I want to include a blog button there is an additional charge, and I understand that, I'm just wondering how necessary it is to have a blog button.

In the beginning of my blogging experience I remember seeing 'blog button swaps', etc. but I don't see them much any more.  Is it important to have a  blog button?  Is it necessary?

Do you believe in ghosts?  Hmmmm....

Through Hotwire.com we booked Silverado Resort and Spa. This place is beautiful and can be spendy.  (Booking through Hotwire.com lessened the cost :-> ) The main part of the resort is a beautiful building, surrounded by a golf course, tennis courts, restaurant and spa across the street.  The rooms are not so much hotel rooms as they are, what they call, cabanas.  Each place has its own entrance, your own little home.  We were escorted to…

The decision by Susan G. Komen for the Cure to change their grant giving policy angered me. When they reversed their decision I was pleased however, the damage has been done to my spirit and I don't think I can get over the hurt and confusion they've caused. My blind trust that Susan G. Komen for the Cure wasn't political, that it cared for the health of all women, has been destroyed.

I support Planned Parenthood. I'm not being political, I'm being a woman who, when unable to afford…

Some days, while rummaging through the attic to find gift wrap or suitcases, I would rediscover this box of my history and start reading. I always felt embarrassed and a bit sick to my stomach. As the years went by, and my children were getting older, a panic would go through me, what if my daughters found my diaries?!?! I thought of getting rid of them, but would let it slide, knowing they were well hidden.

A member of the family passed away over a year ago and we needed to go…

At this weeks blog party - the Virtual Girls Night Out - I have found a delicious cocktail to share, the Champagne Mojito.  Please join us, raise a glass of what ever you wish, watch the cutest "singing" pets video and lets wish each other…

With almost weekly reports of children taking their own lives because they couldn't withstand the bullying at school or on-line I get beyond frustrated.  I hear the stories and cry and cry.  I feel for the child and for the parents having to deal with the enormous loss.  I hear of anti-bullying campaigns that include school assemblies, addressing the need for tolerance and appreciation for the differences that make us who we are. I keep hearing about various programs to stop the…