How many times have we (our whole family) traveled through Kansas and thought how totally boring it is?  Well, I've been adding some content to the site (www.kansasbeautiful.com) and there are actually some pretty neat things to do and see there…never would have thought about it before this.

The area around Manhatten has a lot to see, as does Ft. Riley.  I also think it would be interesting to see the Eisenhower Library, may do that someday. 

I haven't gotten to the other areas yet but I need to since June 26th I am going to do a presentation to the Days Inn groups from both states trying to get them to advertise on the respective state sites.  The Regional Director for these states told me that the only way to get them to go would be to talk to them in person, they are a little different than other groups that listen to the RD.  Well, we were too when we had the RMA, it's their money and they should have the right to decide how it is going to be spent. 

Greg called a few minutes ago, he's on his way home from Chicago.  Long trip for him so I told him to make sure he wakes me up when he gets home if I'm sleeping.  Want to make sure he's ok, yes, it's like when the girls were growing up, wake me up when you get home LOL

I finally got another post on payperpost so now that this post is done I can look for more. 

Ok, so the courtroom war will begin between the big guy and the little guy.  Do I think that LifeLock has a chance to change a rotten system?  I don't know but sure do hope so.  I would love to see the credit card companies have to get permission before information is given to anyone, I mean anyone.

The thought of having my name sold to others is just scary.  It probably explains why we get so much junk mail and so many credit card offers!

It is like life lock is trying to change the system and I can't help but hope it works.  Who will win the multi-million dollar suit?  Who knows, let's just hope that all of us come out ahead because of the courage of LifeLock and their independent ownership. 

 

 

For Petey Ole Erickson's Sake, why is it that on Thursday the weather has to turn and we either have to drive home in a snow storm or, as last night, on glare ice!  20 to 30 miles an hour was the speed that blessed our trip from Des Moines all the way to Fairfield, then we got up to 40 a few times before we hit more patches of ice!

I posted our house on IB with a link to the realtor thinking that maybe that would help.  Since the house is on the National Historic Registery I thought it was ok, I have a number of other homes around the state listed that are on the Registery so I wasn't crossing any line (in my opinion) other than I put the link in it.  Now I need to let Holly know that I did it.

We love our house, it's a fabulous home with lots of room but it needs to go.  We need to get ready to move on with our lives.  I truly thought we would be gone long before this, didn't think we would spend this many years in Mt. Pleasant but it has been good.  Can't say it hasn't, just time to move on.

Greg is going to Chicago later today to a dinner for a classmate that is leaving for military duty.  Should be interesting to see everyone (or the half of the class that is going to be there) again.  He's not staying, just going in for dinner and then coming home.  Long trip but that's what he wants to do.

I emailed Deb and asked her about tying the quilt rather than stitching it since the stitching would warp the pictures.  She said she thinks that is the way to go so that's what I'm going to do.  Could hire it done, and I may, just haven't decided yet.  I may pull out a quilt that Kay Newville did and see how she tied it and if I think it looks logical I will go ahead and tie this one and get it out of here!  The one that Bobbi has (little one) that Great Grandma gave her is tied and has lasted all these years so guess it's ok.

Good Morning America is showing a program on how single women traveling overseas disappear, they are showing the one that went to Japan as a teacher.  Japan is supposed to be one of the safest countries to go to.  Geez, guess if you are going to travel by yourself you need to really be careful that you know where you are going and who you are going with, although the one that killed this teacher was a tutoring student.  Tragic!

It is supposed to get in the upper 30's here today and all the way up to 50 on Sunday, of course that won't last, but we can enjoy it while it is here.

The site wants oyster jokes…well, ok…What did the Oyster on a Half Shell say was his theme song?  Answer?  Slip Sliden' Away!

Ok, so enough of that!  Many years ago we were having oyster stew at our house when my daughter was told by her dad that the oysters looked like dead baby birds.  My daughter never missed a beat as she ate the next oyster and told him she liked dead baby birds.  Now, he about lost his dinner and it didn't bother her at all!

But you need to make sure that you know the risks involved with oyster consumption.  You can find out this information as well as healthy oyster enjoyment at Gulf oysters.  Taking just a few minutes to make sure that you are well informed can save you some slip sliden' experiences!

Happy oyster eating!

 

We have spent the last few months talking to vineyards/wineries all over the state of Iowa about advertising and have come to realize that each one wants their own private label with their design and name on it.  Makes sense that they would want to do this for their special product but where do they go to get the labels for hundreds of bottles of quality wine?  They go to Food Label

.The image that is presented is important on something as special as wine and when they want to present a great image they go to this company.  Now, this isn't for the home brewer that wants to bottle just a few bottles for thier own use, this is for the larger winery that needs a large number of labels.  The company will be delighted to work with you on your special design, contact them and begin the process of that special signature label!

 

Finally, a realtor that understands that most people want to look online for a home before they drive around, call a realtor or scan the newspapers.  This site is crisp, attractive and engaging.  More places should do the same thing and give the potential buyers the option of seeing the available homes in this manner, it should certainly drive business to their door!

FIND NEW HOMES NOW in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and move to the great state of Texas.  Not only will you see many homes, get the help you want in buying the home but you will also get 1% of the purchase price back at closing, that's like getting a real deal on your realtor fees!

 Take a look at the site, you'll be impressed with the quality and idea.

Press Release:

Ok, so I have taken this weekend to get the quilt for IAYM put together.  I thank Bobbi for her wisdom and help when she was home by laying out the quilt with me, determining how it should go together and then being wise enough to draw out a chart so all I had to do was tape it up on the wall in front of the sewing machine and put it together.  Now, that sounds like it should have been easy, and putting the right pieces in order was, due to the chart, but oh my, the sizes varied so much (and they were supposed to be the same size, that was the instruction given out) so that there was a lot of trimming and in one case adding fabric to the piece to make it large enough.

I asked Greg what was the problem with adults not being able to measure a simple 18×18 inch block!  Some were 18×8 some 20×21 some had the pattern all the way to the edge leaving no place for a seam, then there are those that used iron on pictures or words . . . they are hard to sew through and actually show little talent (other that some do have the members of the meeting which is kind of cool), but pictures of the church by itself is rather boring.  Then there is the use of a variety of different fabric weights, in fact, one was done on upholstery fabric, heavy upholstery fabric, which looks lovely but is totally different than the other pieces so it looks bulky, nothing I can do about that!

Anyway, I have the front and the back together so all I have to do today is to stitch the two together, turn it and get it to the quilter and I can get it out of my life.  None too soon although it's my fault that is has been here this long.

Greg worked on the new promotional information for the site, what we send out to prospects.  It looks so good! 

It was fun to see Peanut in his spaceman helmet, such a nut!  If you want to see it go to www.sweetmunkies.com and look at my adorable grandson.

My other grandson had basketball yesterday.  I haven't talked to him to see how it went but I bet with his new shoes he ran like the wind. 

Off to the quilt. 

 

 

I saw a headline today that talked about heroes and all the wonderful things that they have done.  I agree that there are those that do fantastic things that save a life or some other outstanding act that truly are heroes.  But, I thought, to me a hero is a person that does some of the everyday things that people just take for granted.

Let's think about them for a minute.  Isn't a Mom that takes care of a sick kid, loves them, spends the time loving them, taking them to the doctor or just making sure they are comfortable during their sickness a kind of a hero?  How about those Mom and Dads that spend time in the hospital with their sick kids (or with a friend or parent) just as big a hero to that person?  Or the person that takes the time (a boss or co-worker) to teach a new skill to someone to help them improve their life?

My point is that heroes come in many different shapes, occupations, sizes and contributions. We have Valentines Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day and so on, maybe we should have a Hero Day.  Not a big commercial kind of day, just a day when we tell someone that has made a difference in our lives or the lives of those we care about that, at least for that day, they are our heroes.  Just a thought.

Now on to a totally different, rather stupid, subject.  My fingers are covered with hangnails.  It has been so dry and cold that no matter how much lotion I put on they still get hangnails and are icky.  I'm seriously thinking about putting mentholatum on them before I go to bed tonight.  After all, that heals everything!

I need to go up and start working on the quilt, I'm going to finish the thing off this weekend so that I can get it to the quilting lady and have it ready to go to Oskaloosa and out of my life and house!  It won't take all that long to sew it together since Bobbi helped me get the pattern laid out, it's just that I haven't wanted to do it so I haven't.  Now, it needs to get done.

If you talk to Cyn you'll have to ask her about Sampson's adventure with the stick.  Unbelieveable!

Gas prices in DM and MP have gone way up.  Last week, in Des Moines, gas was 2.79 when we left it was at 2.97.  In MP it is at 3.17.  Quite a jump.  Greg said he heard that another refinery was down so it would impact the price of gas and I suppose with this stupid cold weather it is taking more fuel or something.  Geez!

 

Reading Heidi's blog today and her request for a link reinforced for me the need to be more agressive in the linking game.  I'll link to her site and she to mine but we both will need to be more assertive in getting the links out.

It is still so bloody cold here that I gave up, bought a crock pot and soup and we are eating in for the rest of our life LOL.  The staff thinks it is a great idea although Terry asked if we were now considered a "soup kitchen" and should we apply for a grant!

It is supposed to be up to 30 on Sunday so watch, we'll get 45 inches of snow with a rain storm first.

Oh, more of the story of my crock pot purchase, I went to Dollar General to get it this morning and they weren't open yet (had 5 minutes) so I went next door to the Flea Market.  I found 8 soup bowls (clear glass, actually rather nice in perfect condition) for a whole $3!  Now, that's the kind of price I like to find.  The guys teased me about being a Suzy Homemaker…..so, I asked them if they wanted to pass on the soup and just go out in the cold and get something.  Shut them up really fast LOL

Now, when you haven't read it yet you really should go go www.sweetmunkies.com and read what the life and tramas of our youngest and her family consist of.  Poor Peanut has about had enough of the sick!  Both he and his mom would like to be able to be back in school (especially his mom I think).

So, link on….and thanks.

When you know that you love the breaking waves in the ocean and the warm sun, fine sand, peaceful existence that is available in some of those favorite vacation spots (such as the Cayman's, Anguilla or Rocky Point) and then you drive into work and look at the snow that is in the shape of breaking waves and the temperature is 5 degrees F, there is just something wrong!

I thought I would share those beautiful sights with you today, just so you can see what we drove into work fighting this morning. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, if you try real hard you can see how this resembles the waves breaking…..it's just not supposed to be this way!!