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December 31, 2010

Coffee Creamer Delight

I have another favorite to share with you all.  I love coffee...especially when I can "doctor" it up with tastey creamers!!  Now, don't pass out when I tell you this but, I have never ever liked Starbucks coffee!!  I've tried, ya'll, I have tried!  I don't think I know anyone else who doesn't care for it.  Trust me, I've tried something different everytime I've gone in and I just can't find anything better than a fresh cup of coffee at home with a great flavored creamer!!

I've always counted down the days until they bring out the Pumpkin Spice flavors in the fall.  Now I have discovered another new one that is D-I-V-I-N-E and I can have another seasonal countdown!!  Are you ready??
YES!!!!!  Chocolate Mint Truffle!!!!  OH MY!!  Just looking at the picture made me want this!!  Now my 16 year old is addicted to the stuff as well.  I think I could just drink it out of the bottle....I HAVE NOT TRIED THIS BY THE WAY...but I want to!!  hahaha

Nothing like chocolatey goodness with a hint of mint aftertaste!  You can't beat it!  I have always been a coffee creamer snob and only ever wanted coffee mate but when I saw the picture and read the name of the flavor, it sucked me in!  I had to cheat! 

I am sitting here right now with my great longaberger mug and my coffee with this wonderful creamer in it typing this post.  Ahhhhh, I am almost ready for the day!  hahaha  Go get ya some!  You wont' regret it!




***This is not a review and I am not being paid in any way to write this blog post. I am just wanting to share with my friends a product I have found that I truly appreciate.*** ENJOY!

December 28, 2010

Tom, Oh, Tom My New Fave Shoes!!

So, for Christmas my daughter wanted silver glitter Toms.
You know about those right???  If not, please go to Toms website and read all about them here.  They are doing a wonderful work!!  More on that later.

I (like others) searched every store in the local area AND in the area 2 hours away from me!!!  Crazy!!  I did happen to find a store that was "expecting" to receive a shipment in on Wednesday before Christmas.  They were kind enough to put my name on a list and the size and color I needed was spoken for.  All I had to do was go in on Wednesday, pay for them, go home and wrap them up!!  DONE!

Weeelllllllll, wouldn't you know that the store didn't receive their shipment.  Do you blame UPS?  Do you blame Tom's?  No, I actually blame myself for starting late...haha!  So, this momma had to get creative and blow up a picture of the silver glitter toms she wanted and wrapped them up.  She was thrilled that I got them and was unbelievably pleasant about knowing she would have to wait a few more days to get them.

After finally receiving their shipment, I had slowly developed a great appreciation for these shoes as well.  Hmmmm...I don't want to run around crazy looking all over for these shoes myself soooo, I took a shot in the dark!  While getting the details set for my daughters shoes, I happened to ask if they had a black glitter pair in my size.  Won't you know they did!!!  YAY! 

I just went and picked them up.  When I put them on and walked, it was PURE HEAVEN!  They feel so great on my feet.  Kinda like slippers. 


Aren't they c-u-t-e!!??  I also found the silver ones in my size so I now own 2 pair! I have also had to confess to my daughter of my purchase and I have promised to buy her a black pair when I find her size! ha

As mentioned before TOMS does a great thing.  Any time a pair of TOMS are purchased they send a pair of TOMS to a needy child.  I have taken an excerpt from their website for you to read about this program.


One for One


TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Giving Is Catching On...

The TOMS mission of giving shoes has attracted other brands, resulting in unique and successful collaborations. Ralph Lauren sold co-branded Polo Rugby TOMS, giving a matched pair with every pair sold. Element Skateboards has issued limited edition TOMS + Element shoes as well as a One for One skateboard. With every skateboard purchased, one will be given to a child at the Indigo Skate Camp in Durban, South Africa. It is TOMS’ hope that as our One for One movement continues to grow, more and more companies will look to incorporate giving into what they do.

The TOMS Story

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

As of September 2010, TOMS has given over one million pairs of new shoes to children in need through Giving Partners around the world. 


Such great shoes and they are doing such a wonderful thing for the children of our world!!  Go look around at their website.  Find a store that sells these fabulous shoes, try them on your feet and see if you don't have the urge to walk out of the store with those on your feet!!  Trust me, you'll love them!

***This is not a review and I am not being paid in any way to write this blog post.  I am just wanting to share with my friends a product I have found that I truly appreciate.***  ENJOY!

December 9, 2010

Book Review - Blind Hope


Title: Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued
Author: Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Publication Date: July 20, 2010
Paperback: 208 pages
ISBN: 978-1601422804
Genre: Inspirational/Non-Fiction

From the Publisher:
An unwanted dog. An emotional rescue.

Two lives forever changed.

Laurie’s dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—the ranch of rescued dreams—where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her.

An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced from her ailing, yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog—and her own heart—Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all.

As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn’t see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God’s grace even for imperfect and selfish people—and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known.



About the Authors:
Kim Meeder is the cofounder and director of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, an organization that rescues abused and dying horses and pairs them with children in need. Kim’s first book, Hope Rising, propelled the ranch to win the national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award and launched her extensive public/motivational speaking schedule at schools, churches, and governmental conferences across the United States. She and her husband, Troy, have been married for twenty-five years and live in Central Oregon. The size of their family fluctuates each year with the number of horses and kids that they rescue.

Laurie Sacher is a team leader at Crystal Peaks Youth. Laurie graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2003 and taught English as Second Language in Spain before returning to her native California roots to pursue her passion for kids and animals. When she isn’t working at the ranch, Laurie enjoys running with her dog, snowboarding, hiking, horseback riding, and spending time in coffee shops with friends.

I received a complimentary copy of Blind Hope by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

 
My Review:
This is a story of complete unabandoned and unconditional love.  Laurie arrived at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch broken and hopeless.  She was holding strong to all of her emotions and not sharing with anyone while volunteering at the ranch.  While at the ranch she decides to rescue a dog, sight unseen.  Her thoughts and ideas of this dog were dashed on the rocks when she went to pick up the dog.  Struggling with whether to stick with this dog or give up on it, she realizes that this relationship was helping her in more ways than she could count.  Blind Hope is a very short book that is set up in conversation mode between Kim and Laurie.  The insights to this book are completely overwhelming.  There are moments of joy, laughing and tears.  You truly "get" the relationship and the love that builds and grows between Laurie and this dog.
 
Such a wonderful feel good story!!  This book is great for every age.

December 8, 2010

Not A Very Diligent Blogger

Oh my!!  I must apologize to anyone who reads my blog!  I have not been a very diligent blogger the past 1-2 months.  I have been sooooooo stinkin' busy that my head is beginning to spin!! 

It seems like after halloween was over, my life began a downhill spiral into the busyness of schedules that are almost too much for me to handle!!  First of all, it didn't help that I was in Africa from Nov. 7-11 and before that spent two days in Dallas preparing for our church's Ladies Christmas party that I am in charge of this year.  When I got home from Africa, I was kind of sick and jetlagged.  By the time I felt kind of back to normal, it was time to load up the family and drive home to Mississippi for Thanksgiving.  Another 5 days away from the house and then December was here on us.  With December comes all of the holiday parties, still working on finalizing the Ladies Christmas Party and BASKETBALL!!!!!!!!!  Did I mention basketball??

I have TWO children playing basketball this year.  My youngest (Andrew - 11) has been playing basketball for 3-4 years now.  It's so much fun to go to his games and watch them INDOORS (away from the cold).  Well, this year my daughter (Hannah - 13) decided she wanted to play basketball FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE!!!  So, we have practice schedules AND games that go on for two kids at the same time usually!  It's been trying but I know it's worth it!!

Just for giggles - here's a peek into what our schedules have been like:

MONDAY - Daughter has game (away).  Son has a double header (in town).  I have a meeting at the church.  All of this happens at the same time...what in the world!!!!

TUESDAY - Daughter gets in school suspension and has no game.  Son has another game (in town).  I have a Bunco Christmas party.  AGAIN, all of this happening at the same time!

WEDNESDAY - Daughter STILL IN ISS.  Church for all of us.

THURSDAY - Daughter has a game (away).  Son has ball practice (in town).  ME - NOTHING!!! except picking up children.

FRIDAY - Both kids go to their dads.  I have TWO parties to be at.  Guess my evening will be split up between those.

SATURDAY - Can I say I am being ABSOLUTELY LAZY!!!??  I do have ANOTHER  party to attend that evening but nothing all day!

SUNDAY - Church, Church, Church.  Plus have to be there early to finalize some things for the Ladies Christmas Party on Monday AND stay late to set up the gym for the party.  WHEW!

Ya'll!!!!  I am exhausted!!!  That's just schedules that's been going on.  Not to mention LIFE that happens whether you're tired or bouncing off the walls excited!! 

I am SOOOOO ready to get back to a normal life.  Just another week or so more and then I can chill out!! HA!  I do hope everyones Christmas season is going well!!

Ciao!

December 1, 2010

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
That GETTING THINGS would not be the main focus this year.  My children truly need to wake up and realize how privileged we are as Americans! 

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?
Open presents first thing!!  I like to have an overnight Christmas rolls waiting in the fridge to pop right in the oven so we can have warm, gooey cinnamon rolls.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
A swimming pool.

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
It took me a while to think about this one.  I guess I would truthfully have to say that I don't believe there is anything that I do to make the holidays special without spending money somehow.  OBVIOUSLY, the decor makes it special but it was purchased with money.  Not necessarily this year but previously in the future. 

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
None.  I was an only child and my family didn't play games.  If I played games it was with other families.  I LOVED hungry hungry hippo and I played Mr. Hand a lot by myself!

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
Still like to open ONE present on Christmas Eve.  That was something I anticipated as a child and I still do that with my children.

7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?
New York City would be nice.

8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
#1 - Kinect games.
#2 - Call of Duty - Black Ops
#3 - DSi XL


SERIOUSLY MOMS, if you have a child in your home that is OBSESSED with electronics like mine are...CHECK OUT THE GIVEAWAY AT TODAYS MAMA THAT IS HAPPENING!!  It's UNBELIEVABLE!!
 
WE LOVE GAMESTOP!!!!!!!!