Paper Culture Plants a Tree in your Honor with each Order

My baby having days are long since past, but I still like to look at the baby stuff in the stores; I like to feel the softness of the baby blankets and wraps. I like playing with the new toys and other gadgets that were not around when my kids were babies. Sometimes I get nostalgic but other times, I just enjoy knowing that the times have changed and if anyone in my family has a baby anytime soon, there are Paper Culture birth announcements to buy. Why Paper Culture? Because they plant a tree in your honor with each order. Can’t go wrong with that.

Motorolla Phone Cases - Be YOU!

Everyone in my family has a cell phone. Overkill? Probably. The two youngest daughters used to share one, but the middle child goes to high school this year and that means a different schedule and no more walking with little sis. Heaven for her. Another worry/expense for me and dad. Regardless, we all have our own phones and in typical fashion, we all have our own motorola case for our phones. A case that identifies each persons’ phone, but our individual personalities as well. Who knew they’d grow up so vastly differently?

Backyard Paradise

You can even smell the orange blossoms. Photo taken 3/15/11

SSDI Benefits

When my step-dad had a stroke, at the very young age of 34, he had to apply for SSDI also known as Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI is a monetary benefit people may become entitled to based upon the amount of money they have paid while working via payroll taxes (FICA). Sometimes a person’s children may be entitled to collect a monetary benefit when his or her parent or guardian begins collecting SSDI benefits. There is a process for applying, qualifying and receiving the SSDI benefits and help is available from various sources for those who may need it to either apply or determine if they should apply for SSDI benefits.

Hydroponically Growing Plants

I was recently reading about hydroponics and how plants can be grown in nutrient rich water absent the need for soil. Apparently, lettuce and other green leafy plants grown well hydroponically. I have seen tomatoes in the grocery store that say they’re grown hydroponically but I don’t understand how that works exactly, especially with the weight and size of a typical tomato plant. I also read that flowers are grown easily hydroponically and I like the idea of being able to grow my own flowers and then put them in my office or around my house.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

My anniversary is coming up. It’s the big fifteen. Hard to believe when I look back that it’s been this long. But it has. And I only want one thing. A diamond anniversary ring. I have had my eye on one particular style for a while now, but the husband says he wants to have one made to match my wedding band. The wife says that will take too long. I’ve been looking at the Everlon diamond knot collection and I’m starting to think I could be swayed. Maybe.

Thursday's Sunset

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Scrubs of many colors

I have blogged many times about the new look that can be found in various nursing scrubs. I remember back when scrubs came in light blue or seafoam green. Then it seemed that scrubs were marketed toward children. So adults who did not work with kids were stuck wearing drab blue or green, or they could really get bold with sesame street characters or clowns.

Thankfully, now days scrub clothing comes in a wide variety of colors as well as designs. There are tan and sand colored, as well as more adult patterns of simple patterns. I am glad for this for a couple reasons; first of all, if I decide to move forward with a career in healthcare, my options just became many, many more; second, and perhaps more importantly, adults everywhere can wear scrub tops that are not simply comfortable, but simple and fashionable.

Sunset today

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The Love of My Life?

Guest post written by Fred Linton

It's strange to think that I just retired and I still haven't found the love of my life. I had a great quality of life, had a great career and made all the money I could have ever longed for. However, I never met the right woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I don't want to go my whole life without finding true love, so I am going to continue to search for that one terrific woman out there. I still believe it is entirely possible to find someone special at my age.

I am prepared to continue to go on dates as soon as possible. I feel as though I have everything I could ever need. The car looks great, my wardrobe is ready and I have just about everything I need to feel confident on a date. I would like a new discreet hearing aid, so I've been looking at Miracle Ear Prices. Besides that, I am ready to find the sophisticated woman of my dreams. I don't care to be alone anymore!

Identity Theft

As a past victim of identity theft, I have taken many precautions to protect myself and my family. I have looked at several programs, including IdentityHawk. The only real upside to my particular case, I did not face actual financial loss. Well, unless you count the education tax credit I am not entitled to because someone used my name to be arrested for prostitution, drug possession and paraphernalia possession. It is hard to convince a computer program that I’m not a convicted drug user when my name, date of birth and social security number is the one the person was booked under.

I believe that much in the same way people take out life insurance policies to protect their lives and family, in this day and age of identity theft, it is almost our duty to take precautions and identity theft protection measures. The desire to protect our properties, assets and good names should speak to all of us and prompt us to take the proactive steps to protect ourselves and our families.

Friday's drive home

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Healthcare Industry Jobs

I’ve made something of a decision. If this whole law school thing doesn’t work out I need to find work making what I make now, and I’m seriously considering looking at healthcare industry jobs not just as a change of pace, but because I would actually be helping people, which is what I have always wanted to do, but what I am not able to do in the capacity that I work now. In fact, I’m not sure I could ever do it at my current job, and that bums me out and makes me sad. It’s too bad teachers don’t make a better yearly salary. I could so see myself doing that too.

Life Insurance

I had a dream the other night. It was not a scary dream or one of any real definition other than the fact that woke up thinking that I needed to buy life insurance which is weird because we already have life insurance, but I could not shake the feeling that I needed to either buy more or increase my limits. I hate it when that happens because I over analyze and wonder why I think what I do and where the thoughts come from and oddly if it is karma or something like that guiding my way which then makes me more paranoid that I needed to buy life insurance. It’s a vicious cycle.

Tucson Lawyer

Tucson is only two hours away from where I live now. If I lived there, I’d be waiting for an acceptance letter to an entirely different law school. I’d probably also be working for lawyers in Tucson who work in the criminal law field rather than the field I work in now. In fact if you needed one, I could probably recommend a lawyer Tucson who could help if anyone needed one.

Fruit Boxes aren't just for Christmas

I am thinking of doing something a little different for my bosses this year on Boss’ Day. Usually I get them a bottle or six pack of their favorite beverage. This year however, I’m thinking of getting something different: Fruit Gift Boxes they look delicious and ship anywhere which takes care of my out of state bosses. Plus, the variety is great and I can sleep at night knowing I did not contribute to a divorce, car accident or someone having to sleep on the couch. Crazy but for me, it’s win win.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

When (and if) you eat Skittles, do you have to separate the colors before you can start eating them? Do you eat one color at a time? Am I the only one who does this?

It should be noted that I do NOT have to separate M&Ms or Mike & Ikes. Just Skittles.

I Love the Smell of a Good...

I might have mentioned this before, but I like the smell of good cigars and sadly, my husband doesn’t smoke; I don’t smoke; our families don’t smoke. The only time really get to smell a good cigar is when we are travelling. Las Vegas is a great place to catch a whiff, as is the members only lounge in certain airports. I don’t want my husband to pick up any bad habits, but man I’d enjoy the smell just once or twice a year.

White Gold Chain

My 15 year wedding anniversary is coming up in May. I have only wanted one thing for the past five anniversaries: an anniversary band. I have always wanted one but figured I should wait to ask for it until I hit a milestone anniversary if you will. I mentioned it once at my five year anniversary but I got candles that year. I brought it up again for the 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 years. Each year I got a different version of the same thing: a white gold chain with a trinket on the end. I know it’s the thought that counts, but I’d really like the ears to hear me count the number of times I’ve said Anniversary Band.

Silver Coins

In this economy, I’ve heard much banter about getting gold into my portfolio and various other ways to save money for my future. My husband’s uncle, he’s been in on a secret for quite some time. He routinely buys and collects coins. This is his retirement for all intent and purpose, even against my constant nagging that he needs to get some actual money into an actual account that earns interest, etc. Call me crazy when I laughed out loud because he said to me recently that what I needed to do was buy silver coins and use them to start saving for my daughters’ college funds.

Personalized Gifts

When I buy gifts for my friends and family, I do try to think outside of the box and get gifts that come not just from the heart, but also that are not the same as what someone else might buy. I am always considering creative birthday gifts that will leave a lasting impression on the receiver. Once I college, I snapped a picture of my best friend at every class we had that semester. I made her an album of sorts that set out the past few weeks chronologically. What we did not know at the time was that she was pregnant and I got on film the first sixteen weeks of my godson’s life.

Ten Things I'd Bring Back

10 Things I Would Bring Back if given the chance. I'm not kidding here. Not at all.

1. Welcome Back Kotter. God I loved that show!
2. MTV videos. I remember (this will date me) the PREMIER of MTV! Yes, I was 14 years old. I thought Martha Quinn Ruled! My dad hated that channel!
3. Leg Warmers in all colors and thicknesses.
4. Neon clothes. Remember the neon lime green? It made anyone look tan!
5. High top tennis shoes, two pair, each a different color. I had baby pink and pale blue and I wore one of each. I was the fashion queen!
6. Valley Girl Speak. Remember the term “Gag me with a spoon” – I said “Gag me with a chain saw”. I could totally talk Like, ya know, a Valley Girl, Umm. Yea.
7. Drive in movie theaters.
8. Leggins and big shirts/sweaters/skirts over the top.
9. Torn jeans and holy tee/sweat shirts.
10. 80’s big hair! (Okay, I’m kidding. I wouldn’t bring that back.)

It occurs to me now that I've written this, some of these things are back. My daughters, 11 and 14, got leg warmers for Christmas, 14 just bought an off the shoulder sweatshirt thing and I can't find jeans that aren't already holy.

Kamik Rain Boots

It’s a crying shame that we moved to the scorching desert six years ago because while I can say I honestly miss seeing the snow and the mountains, I do not however miss shoveling the snow, or driving in it, or even seeing it three days after a storm when it’s been driven through and it’s all black and ugly on the side of the road. I also can say that I honestly DO NOT miss the rain. I don’t miss driving in it or getting so cold that it takes a long hot bath and two pair of socks to get warm at the end of the day. However, that said, I may not have the dim view I do of rain if I’d owned a pair of kamik rain boots way back in the day.

It's Almost Father's Day Again

With Father’s Day right around the corner, I’ve been pondering the direction to send our children when letting them choose the gift they want to buy their Dad this year. He is guaranteed to receive the movie he asks for, and the car wash coupons I get him every year, but I try to steer the kids into rather unique father's day gifts each year so he can brag about them to his buddies at work. It brings him pride and something to remember each particular year by.

Horses are large animals

My first experience with a horse came when I was a very young girl, maybe five or six years old. A gaggle of us neighborhood kids went down our street, cut through the corn field, picked off the ear wigs and traveled through the next field to where the farmer kept his old plow horse. Some of the older kids climbed up on the fence to pet the horse. I was too afraid. I stayed in the back of the pen, starting up at the back end of a very large, very tall horse. One of the other kids did something and that horse kicked me square in the chest. I went down like I’d been hit with lightening. That was the last encounter I’d ever had with anything equestrian. My kids enjoy riding though. I bought them both equestrian helmets just to be on the safe side.

My heart dies a little each day

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Disability Insurance

I’ve been thinking recently that I need to take a fresh look at my insurance coverage. I’m not sure why, but I feel that I should reevaluate my life, health, dental and even disability insurance at this point in our lives. People don’t always consider disability insurance but they should because an injury at work is covered by workers compensation, but if a person becomes sick from a disease, that’s where disability comes in. We can’t all count on Social Security to be around when/if we need it.

Dehumidifier's Remove Moisture from the Air

If a humidifier puts moisture into the air, it makes sense that a dehumidifier would remove moisture from the air. However, living in the scorching desert actually lends itself to the addition of moisture to the air. Now when I lived in Utah, we had a dehumidifier that we used in our basement to help with moisture causing mold growth. I sold it when I moved here thinking I’d never use it. Then I rented a house with a swamp cooler. Let me tell you how sticky that summer was. I missed my dehumidifier and vowed to go central air when I bought my house.

Cypress Trees

Let’s talk landscaping. I have a good size yard. I have a pool. I have three daughters who spend all summer in said pool. I have no neighbor behind me. Yet. I have neighbors on each side of me currently. I want to plant something along my fence line that will offer some privacy for my kids while they’re in the pool. I was looking at doing a row of cypress tree but I just don’t know how long they take to grow up big and strong. They need to mature before my kids do!

We're made for each other

I was doing my homework on Wednesday while the husband was mudding and taping the new entertainment center he built me. I was reading about divorce and marriage and the following conversation took place. We were made for each other:

Me: Did you know the average duration of marriage in the United States is just over nine years?

Him: So we are done next year then?

Me: No. We've passed the nine year mark already. I officially own you.

Him: Yea. Well, we don?t want to over do it.

Me: Too late. We've already over done it. We can?t go backwards.

Him: Hmm.

Me: Plus, the divorce rate has gone down.

Him: Because the murder rate has gone up.

Exercise Equipment - pull up bar

Speaking of stainless steel isn’t that what most heavy workout equipment is made of? I don’t know because well, workout equipment and I are not exactly friends. And I wouldn’t know the first thing about using a pull up bar or the benefits thereof. I will have to take someone else’s word and assume that workout equipment is good, healthy and should be used regularly. Not stored under a bed like mine.

Stainless Steel Drums - multipurposeful

I’m going to be honest here, when I think of stainless steel drums I think of hiding dead bodies. Yeah yeah, I know there are legitimate reasons for a steel drum, but my only encounters with them come via television and movies about serial killers. Sure they’re great for storage and transportation of stuff, and they might even be good for shipping regulated and hazardous materials, but I can’t get past the deviant usage. It’s the way my brain works.

Nursing is a possibility. Maybe

So did I tell you that I’ve been giving serious consideration to what I will do if I don’t get accepted into law school. The idea of not working in law is frightening, since I’ve been doing it for nearly 20 years, but the fact that I can’t get a decent LSAT score is really killing me and I don’t want to be a glorified secretary for the rest of my life. I have a paralegal degree but here that’s basically a glorified secretary. I considered getting my teaching degree, but the idea of working with kids, other than my own, does not really appeal to me. The country does not need a queen. I thought about nursing, because I’d make good money but the idea of wearing a nurse uniform every day? Blech.

Sunset from the Patio

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Headphone Reviews

My daughters have mp3 players. They listen to music so much that I am certain at some point the ear buds will actually grow to their ears and will need to be surgically removed. I have been reading headphone reviews in an effort to find something better for them. I would prefer a headphone that sits on their ear, rather than in it. And I want some wireless headphones to wear when I’m working late into the night, so I don’t disturb everyone while I’m jamming out to my tunes.

And Roadside Assistance Too

Speaking of cheap insurance, I do need a program that offers me roadside assistance because my husband works nights, I work days, we work 70 miles from each other, and if I get a flat tire or dead battery, I have no one to call. I miss the days when we owned our own towing company. But, that was like a whole different life to the one we live now. I prefer the present.

Cheap Insurance Quotes

I just made my last insurance payment for the first half of the year. I am considering, in my quest to lower my monthly bills and save some money, reevaluating all my bills and providers. No better place to start than by getting a few cheap car insurance quotes and seeing if I can save some money there. In this economy, I am certain that every little bit helps.

Comfort food

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Trophies aren't just for the ahtletes

What I never knew as the mother of only girls was how important sports trophies can be. Way back in the day, our girls all played soccer. Well, two played soccer, the other stood down by the goal post and watched the clouds or picked in the grass for bugs. Regardless, they all got a participation trophy at the end of the season. They only played one season each for different reasons, like one being afraid and ducking every time the ball came her way; the other deciding soccer was simply NOT girlie enough; and the other, well, she was really into picking through that grass. So fast forward ten plus years and I was cleaning out the attic and came across one of the trophies. I put it in the trash pile.

You have no idea who much drama that caused! Holy cow. You’d have thought she won the Heisman or something. Oy!