Avon

So I've been going through an Avon period lately. For Christmas, I gave my nieces in law to be (K-older's fiancée's daughters) some mark lip gloss and perfumes. Since I was putting in the order anyway...*G*...I went ahead and got myself a few things. I'm currently in LOVE with their perfume "Always". Smells like lily of the valley. Delish. I also have "Tomorrow" which is a spicer oriental type. Nummy as well.

Anyway I've been out at the Avon site looking around and they have some great deals. If you want something, or you need to stock up, get out there and do it! I think shipping is free today!

Oh, and if you don't have an Avon lady, my friend Melody is the BEST! Visit her site at www.youravon.com/melodythomas She really ROCKS!!

Christmas time is...gone...

What a nice day yesterday. Seems that everyone was pretty relaxed and not wanting to "fight" or anything. Presents were all well received and the ones everyone got for us were excellent! Totally love my Trader Joe's gift card from k-younger and M-inlaw. K-Older and D gave us a card to a new restaurant that I've been wanting to try. Way cool.

K-nephew may have a job soon. He's been having trouble because of his record. But my friend J-hole works for a janitorial service and says that they're always looking for people who will work hard. K-nephew couldn't stop smiling after I talked to J-hole.

Other than that, it's been a very very quiet day here. I slept for most of it which was REALLY nice.

Tomorrow starts me getting back into the groove of things with the house and weight loss and stuff like that. I think I've decided to go back to WWers on Saturday. It just seems like it's what works for me and I can incorporate all that I've been learning from other diet books.

Bah Humbug?

I'm feeling sad. I don't know exactly why but it's just there. Hanging over my head like some evil anti-mistletoe or something.

M is sitting in the living room playing on his work laptop. He's addicted to some game called "NetHack". I don't understand it but...hey whatever! LOL He's also watching Deal or No Deal and laughing whenever someone gets a high case. He's so sick sometimes, laughing over the disappointment of others. It makes me wonder, from time to time, just what goes on in there. *head shake* I dunno. I pray that he'll eventually find himself in a happy place where he doesn't have to take joy in the downfall of others.

Everything is clean in the kitchen. I haven't stopped all day and I feel like just sitting down in the middle of everything and bursting into tears. But I won't. I'll just ball it up and deal with it after the holiday. Just have to wrap up Grandma's gift (a picture and a gift card) and I'll be completely finished with everything for tomorrow except the salami cream cheese rolls and the other little things I'll be "cooking".

K-sis was home all alone today. L was with her asshole of a "father". I really want to go and kick the ever living hell out of that poor excuse for a human. Mom said that K-sis was in tears most of the day. If I'd have known she was going to be home all alone, I'd have said something to M and seen if he'd take me down. (I mean, what's a 2 hour trip each way between siblings? *G*) I don't know what we'd have done, but I'm sure she and I could have thought of something.

Maybe that's it. Or perhaps it's knowing that the holiday is HERE. It's almost over and I'm already feeling the post-Christmas let down. You know, the "man all that work and it's OVER in 5 minutes...tops!" feeling.

Dad's sick too. He started to vomit this afternoon. He hasn't been sick like this in about 13 years, Mom said. I guess a part of me is worried...or at least more worried than I thought I was over him being sick.

Well, time to take dinner out of the oven. Maybe I'll actually feel better after eating something. Yeah...maybe.

Hey everyone!

What's that? What have I been doing since last we chatted? Nothing much at all except for the same old same old. I have everything wrapped and ready to go with the exception of Grandma's gift card from Kroger. I'll get that tomorrow while we grocery shop.

So what is Christmas going to be like this year? Will Dad get through the day without killing my Aunt? Will K and M help with dishes? Will the guys help? Will dinner go off without a hitch or will something burn? And will I actually be treated like an adult this year instead of having instructions spelled out for me? (Like "Strawberry, get the rolls out of the oven...and use the mitts! Like duh there Mom...I didn't know hot things were, you know, HOT. *sound of head smacking the desk*)

It's not really that bad. I love my family and all of the above actually gives us stuff to laugh about and tease each other about. It's frustrating at the time but, once it's over it's over. *G*

Anyway, now that everything is done Christmas wise (except for the noshes) I decided to be productive and roll the coins I've been saving for the past 6 months. (M has been stealing quarters for his "snack" so I'm down about $20 from where I would have been.) I've saved $152.50 in the last 6 months just from "harvesting" the coins that M leaves in his car, coat, pants pockets, bed ('cause you know, he can't empty them before hitting the sheets), bedroom floor...etc. Not a bad day's work if I do say so myself. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. I may hit the post holiday sales and see if I can't (finally) find a good inexpensive vacuum cleaner that won't freakin' lose suction. It'll be our 3rd in about 5 years. Or maybe I'll get that really cool steam mop or even a steam cleaner. Perhaps some new clothes or shoes or bras (all of which are desperately needed) or something totally frivolous like some Demeter Fragrances or books. (wait, books aren't frivolous!) Or maybe I'll be a Good Berry and put it in savings. Nah. :oD

Whatever I do with it, I'm sure it'll come in handy.

Other than that, I've just been getting things done around the house. I'm enjoying myself doing what I can, as I can and then taking frequent breaks so I don't have a flair or get sick again. I've been doing pretty well with that. Now if I can just cure the freakin' insomnia I'll be doing well. Have doctor's appointments all next month so I should (hopefully) get some answers. If I remember to ask the questions. *G*

Anyway, that's about it for now. I'm going to go read (Got Fangs? by Katie Maxwell for the umpteenth time) and try very very hard to fall asleep.

I'm an Edmontosaurs

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Ahhh...

Well, it's almost time for Christmas and, with the exception of some gift cards, I'm officially done shopping. Yahoo! I don't think I've ever been done this early before.

Of course, I still have things to send out along with my Christmas cards. I'll get those done tonight and off to the post awful tomorrow.

Check out my book review blog (over on your left...see it? WildDog's book review? yeah, that's it.) to see what's been occupying my time. Finished 3 books this weekend and have started on a 4th. That's really not a lot for me but I've been busy doing other things as well.

Last night, I was hostess for my Sunday School children's program. I didn't realize how much WORK that was...and most of it was done for me before I even got there. (Thanks J and girls!) And then I was cleaning up and one of the ladies came back and helped out by washing the dishes (thanks W!) and *poof* it was all finished and we were out the door. I didn't get to see much of the program but it was one of those "cutsey" things from Group Publishing so I guess I really didn't miss much. One of these days I'll write my own Christmas play/pageant and try and get the Church to put it on. I'm tired of the "we have to make it relevant for today" mentality that seems to be rampant in most of the Christmas stuff of today. I mean, does Christ's birth EVER go out of style? Really?

I've been doing okay with the "get the chore done NOW...don't wait" thing. It really is a good feeling to just have it done and not hanging over your head.

So now I'm waiting for M to get home so we can head out to Meijer so I can get kitty food (we're down to crumbs in the bags even though the kids have full bowls), litter, some coin rollers (I'm tired of looking at the bags of coins!) and a couple of books (because it's not like I have nothing to read or anything...lol)

Nothing more to really say today. Just a lazy day. Hope I'll be able to fall asleep tonight. It's been hell getting only a few hours of sleep each night. Although I've been enjoying listening to 700 WLW and America's Trucking Network with Steve Sommers and Bubba Bo. They've been fun this past week. Interesting too. I'd still rather have a full night of sleep though.

Busy busy...

'Tis the season and all that. Been hectic 'round here as I try madly to get back into the swing of things after a recent bout of ick. I need to remember that all my clutter and housework wasn't made in a day (except what M creates) and it doesn't need to get done in a day.

I am making progress with getting into a routine. Even if it is only a routine of cleaning the litter box. Still, that's something, no?

I think routines are important. They help those of us who have memory problems (thanks chemo!) they help us to feel in control even when everything seems to be slipping away.

So, I've decided to add to my routine. I just need to decide what to add and how much to add at a time.

Been reading several diet books in a quest to find intelligent answers to the questions I've been asking myself. One of the overwhelming statements in all of the books I've read so far is "change doesn't come easily...take it slow and let one thing become habit before you start to do something else."

Heh. Change doesn't come easily. No kidding. Especially not for a Lutheran. LOL But it is sound advice. Like the litter box. I used to HATE cleaning the box because it was...well frankly...disgusting. But now that I've been doing it everyday it's not so disgusting. It's easy and rather relaxing as well. Just knowing that that one thing is DONE, that the cats have a clean place to piddle and poo so they aren't doing it all over my "to be washed" pile of clothes. (note to self: get hamper. *G*) It's freeing to have that chore DONE and out of the way. Even if I don't do it until 4 in the afternoon. At least it's done.

I need to remember this for other areas in my life. Get the chore DONE when you think of it or when you're done with whatever you've been using. (like the dishes) Once you get into the routine of putting things away when you've finished with them, the rest is a snap. Why didn't I remember this earlier? Other than the whole "I'm dying from cancer 'cause I don't know I have it" thing. *G* I guess I was either stupid, stubborn or just flat lazy.

So, that's going to be my new thing. I'm going to get myself a routine and I'm going to work at sticking to it no matter what. Unless the whole death thing comes up again...then we'll have to see.

whee

Did I tell you about my cool new toy? The swiffer sweeper? OOOHHHH it's great! No more kitty litter on the bottoms of my nice clean wet feet. Ahh.

Plus it's rechargeable so I don't have to go plugging it in when I want to use it. It's already there and waiting for me to make the floor nice 'n clean.

Now I want to get this steam mop that everyone on my email list is talking about. The Bissell Steam Mop. Man. I so want this mop. Freaks me out too since I'm like the least likely person to be all het up about a cleaning product. LOL but I do...I so do.

Anyway, today's a nice boring day. Paid some bills...made some calls for the cookie walk at Church on Sunday...gonna play with my toy...er I mean sweep the floor...and clean the bathroom later. Nice lazy type day. Ahhh.

Best of all? No Bells tomorrow. What a happy thought!

'Tis the Season to be...an Asshole?

No really. I don't know why I fail to remember from year to year just how...nasty...people can be around Consumermas. It always amazes me to be out in a store and have people shove me out of the way to get to something that, had they just said "excuse me", I'd have been happy to step out of the way.

*sigh* Come on people! Remember the TRUE meaning of the Season...Christ comes to be born a man...be born under the law to fulfill the law FOR US! He is the true gift, guys. *sheesh*

Anyway, as you can tell, M and I went out shopping today. Actually, *I* went shopping, M was just the driver. *G* Works for me. I don't have him hovering over my shoulder glaring at me because he hates to shop, he doesn't have to do anything but sit in the warm car, listen to music and play the DS. Although, I know if he DID come in there'd have been a LOT less shoving. He's 6'8" and 290lbs. He's a big scary guy. Of course, people don't need to know that under the scary there lurks the heart of a marshmallow. *G* But still.

I found a few things on my list, gonna have to hit Amazon for some things that they didn't have. Got a Swiffer vacuum that I've been wanting for the kitty pan area. Tired of getting out of the shower and having kitty litter all over my feet. It's currently charging. (heh. no pun intended but that was good for a chuckle.) Hmm...some pretty Christmas paper, a few bath 'n body needs and cold medicine (will this stupid cold never go away?) Ooh and a couple of really pretty nice skirts for Church and Christmas. I'm looking forward to wearing one of them tomorrow for my FINAL(!!!!) bell performance. And I (finally) bought my Christmas cards...they're pretty.

Other than that, nothing exciting went on at ALL. Just the same old stuff. *G* But it was a fun day. I think I wore M out...even though he did nothing.

Off to surf and see what's new, place a dang Amazon order and then read before I hit the bed.

Bored

I'm bored. Just watched 4 episodes of Buffy and it's 11:30 pm. I should be getting to bed but...I'm just not tired.

I'd watch more since I'm FINALLY past the "Riley" bits. Ug he annoyed me. Figured out where M and I left off...Doublemeat Palace is the next completely new one for the two of us. Anyway, I'd watch more but I'm just tv'd out. After bunches of Buffy, Heroes and Robot Chicken, I'm just tired of tv.

But there's nothing good on my bookshelf. Well there IS but...I'm not in the mood for it. I'm currently rereading "Size 14 is not Fat Either" by Meg Cabot but...*sigh* It's a great book and I'm looking forward to "Big Boned" but...I dunno. I guess I just want something different. I don't know what though.

Anyway, Mom and I were talking business opportunities the other day. I'm thinking I'll be giving up on the hand made jewelry for now. Everyone's getting into it and at the last craft fair there were something like 8 different vendors selling their jewelry. I didn't see anyone buying it either.

So we were discussing what I could do. I brought up the fact that I love to read and Mom asked "K, why don't you write?" Seems she's been thinking that for sometime now. I'd LOVE to write but, honestly, I don't know what to write about. I think I have good ideas but then, they all seem to fall apart.

Eh. I don't know. Maybe I'll give it a shot. I mean, what could it hurt? Right?

It's cold season. *sigh*

So, if you've been wondering where I've been, I've been spending the days hacking and sneezing with a freaking URI. I get one every year around this time but I honestly thought I wouldn't this year. I mean, I just had one in October. And September. And I think in August as well. This one was the worst though...ick.

Anyway, because of the URI, there has been nothing exciting going on in my life. Nothing at all. Well, except getting some Buffy books and finishing season 4 of Buffy and starting on season 5. (mmm Spike in romantic mode) Been reading a bunch as well.

Speaking of which, if you like reading and enjoy book reviews, check out the book review blog that I help write. http://wilddogsbookreviews.blogspot.com/ Yep, I'm the Wild in WildDog's. *G*

Anyway, I guess I should get out there and do something interesting for everyone to read about. Or at least find some more pictures of James...huh? *G*

Hope

A friend recently asked “what makes Lutherans so HAPPY over the coming end times?” It brought about a discussion of how Lutherans seem to just “take things in stride” as opposed to other Christians.

With all I could have said on the subject, the answer really comes down to just one word. Hope. Now, being thoroughly Lutheran, I have to ask “what does this mean?” The online free dictionary defines hope as “1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation or the archaic use “To have confidence; trust”

We Lutherans seem to understand the whole concept of hope in Christ based on God’s promise of salvation and that promise is a “sure thing” as it says in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

And because we have that confidence, we also have the "modern" type of hope. We CAN look forward to Christ's Second coming with GREAT Confidence and Expectation! We can do so because, when it all boils down, Jesus did it all FOR us. As Luther said in the Explanation to the 3rd article of the Apostles' Creed: "We can not, by our own reason or strength, come to faith in Christ Jesus, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life."

Because of this hope, this complete confidence and trust we can have in God, we Lutherans should be nothing but happy and joyfully LONGING for the end times to come. It doesn’t mean that bad things will never happen to us, but it DOES mean that because of God’s boundless grace, His absolute love that gave us forgiveness through the death and resurrection of our Lord, that, even in the hour of our deepest need, we can have that hope, clear and true, that we are forgiven and we will see salvation.

Amen. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! Amen.

Great post by a great poster...

Want something to chew on while going about your daily grind?

Read the newest post from DogMom...

What I believe and What I realized

Amen, my friend. Amen.

More yummy James

So I found some more delish pictures of James. Mmm Mmm Mmm.




I mean, honestly, could the man BE any more mouthwatering?



I mean, great googlily moogily! Look at those CHEEKS...those EYES...



That smile...*swoons*



Oh HOLLY CARP...I do believe I'm gonna faint.



mmm and a new favorite...from his CD...



Have I mentioned that you HAVE TO GO AND GET THIS NOW??? I have? Well it was worth mentioning again. *G*

OH OH OH...look how cute he is here...LOL Adorable!



Okay, gonna go kill things on Guild Wars since I can't take out my...uh frustrations...any other way. *wink* Enjoy the pix! (and drop me a line if you've liked 'em! I'd love to know other James fans...and anyone else who reads this thing.)

ETA: Found another yummy one I had to share...



Heh. YUM.

Woo HOO

From James Marsters Website....

[11-6-07] James has been contracted to read his fifth book on tape in the Dresden Files book series. Although Death Masks is the next book in sequence, he will be recording Small Favor, which is the most recent in the series and, according to the Dresden Files website, due for release April, 2008. James will be in the studio later this month to begin the project. A new publishing company, Penguin Audio, has been hired to release the book. More details to be posted when available.

If you haven't read the Dresden Files books...GO NOW!!! Run to your bookstore and get them all.

And then go to Jimbutcher.com and see what else is out there. Because Harry rocks.

Review: James Marsters "Like a Waterfall"

There aren't enough words that mean the same as "fabulous" in any language to describe how wonderful this album is.

James has done it again. LaW is a bit more bluesy than Civilized Man, but still has that Rock/Pop/Dance edge to it that I love in CM. He has more of a "Rest in Peace" feel to the album than he did in CM.

I won't go into a description of the songs...yet. I want to listen to it a few hundred more times before I can give a totally honest review.

But seriously folks, if you like James in Buffy, Smallville, Without a Trace...give him a try as a musician. You will NOT regret it.

Excited

Like A Waterfall just came in the mail. I haven't even opened the cellophane yet and already I love the cd. GREAT pictures of James on the front and back of the cover.

*sigh* *drool* *sigh*

I know it's going to be great. How can it be anything BUT great? *G*


Okay, opened it. No more pix on the inside but there is a wee little note from James that is sweet. No, I won't tell you what it is. *G* You'll just have to buy it and see.

Can't wait to hear it. Gonna go plug in the cd player and get busy!

Review later.

After 2 am...

M and I just got back from an emergency trip to the store. He broke his glasses and I couldn't find the super glue. *sigh* Luckily, he can see with my glasses so he did that to drive and I ran into the store and got some super glue.

It irks me on many levels that this has happened. M desperately needs new glasses but he keeps putting them off. "They're too expensive" *sigh* I guess now that he works for a company that actually MAKES the frames and OWNS the stores that sell them (at least on a contract to hire basis) it sort of makes sense to wait until he's hired full time. But still. It's a bit of a pet peeve.

Then there's the fact that I KNOW we have super glue in the house but I couldn't FIND the super glue. Oh where did he put it after using it the last time? Needless to say, I have no clue.

Hence the 2 am trip to the grocery.

Now it's almost 2:30 and I'm wide awake (it's freakin' FREEZING out there!) and I have weight watchers at 9 am. This I don't want to go to but I must. I've gained so much back in the height of my dramallamaness (ie: the depression) that I fear I've almost reached the starting point...again.

Feh. I really want to know who came up with the stupidest phrase of all "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels" so I can glue his or her lips shut with the super glue I just bought.

I mean, honestly, if thin REALLY felt better than any food on the face of the planet, would we REALLY have the obesity problem that is so prevalent in the world, especially the USA, that we have? Get with it folks! NOTHING feels as good as that damn Cinnabon tasted last night. *G* Well...maybe a nice lip lock with one of the two guys I currently adore...one for real and one for imagination time. *wink*

But I wouldn't have this problem if food didn't taste good. And it soooo tastes good.

*sigh* I remember I promised to write up my "reasons to take back control" and post them. I guess I forgot in the midst of that cinnamon stickiness. I'll get right on that...after I hit the sheets and dream a little dream of James...

*G*

Payin' the bills

Wheest. I'm glad that's over for the next 2 weeks. I'm still learning the ropes of how M wants everything paid. I'm glad, though, that I can do this for him. Takes the pressure off of him and saves us from those pesky late fees!

Need to go back out to Jamesmarsters.com and re-order a copy of Like a Waterfall. Wanna buy it for yourself? Go to the Merchandise page. I'm so excited. LOVED Civilized Man. I'm still listening to it every night before I head to sleep. Of course, there are some of the tunes that make me want to dance right out of bed...LOL

I'm on Shelfari now. Since I love to read and will read anything I get my hands on, I thought it would be cool to catalog it so others can see what I've been reading. Look for me by the name WildStrawberry. Add me as a friend if you'd like!

Willow has been warming up to me lately. Let me snorgle her a little bit while I was in the tub. She's a silly little girl but she's growing like a weed! She came to us at 1.5 lbs and in the first week doubled her weight. I'm curious to see how much she weighs when she goes for her spay next week.

Mmm I think it's time for a nap. *yawn* Have a great day everyone! Remember, if you wanna be a demonstrator for Gold Canyon, see my previous post! It's really a fun filled great job that you can do full time, part time or even just the occasional party. Great for SAHM, Retirees or people who just want to be their own bosses.

Business Opportunities

So I've been asked by Mom to figure out a way to get the word out in the UK of the new Home based Business Opportunities available through Gold Canyon. If anyone has a way to do this...let me know.

The company, Gold Canyon, is the maker of some really fine candles, bath and body products and candle accessories. They are one of the fastest growing Party based sales companies in the US, they recently opened up to Canada and, as of October 1st 2007, people in the UK can become demonstrators and get in on the ground floor of the market.

If I have any UK readers and you're interested in learning more about this opportunity...and it's really a great one, the candles sell themselves...give me a shout in the comments part or give me an email at kaemea at gmail dot com and let me know in the subject that you're interested in the candle biz.

I used to be a huge Yankee Candle fan until I tried Gold Canyon. GC is superior in every way, from having a higher scent concentration, being double wicked for better burning (you lose no wax because the candle burns evenly, unlike single wicked candles) to having food grade paraffin wax that burns at a lower temperature so if any of the kidlets accidentally pulls one over on themselves, they won't get a scalding burn. You can literally blow the candle out and stick your finger into the melted wax and it won't burn you. It'll be hot...I mean it IS melted wax...but it won't BURN you.

So, anyone reading this...even y'all from Canada and the US...who is interested in getting in on this exciting business...give me a shout out!

For all the US people out there, if you sign up before the 30th of November or the first 2500...which ever comes first...you'll receive your demonstrator kit, a value of $360, for only shipping and handling costs. The only thing you need to do is sell $1000 worth of product, usually done within your first 3 parties, in the first 42 days after receiving your kit, to keep your kit for free. UK and Canada people, this opportunity may be available to you, check the website at www.goldcanyoncandle.com.

To sign up without going through me, head out to Gold Canyon's website, click become a demonstrator, and when asked for demonstrator name use BENHASE and demonstrator ID # use 441898.