Three Men In a Tub

My challenge today is this...
Three people walk into a bar.....

The first is me. I've decided to meet my dear friend Tamra for a relaxing drink. She talks me into another ( She's just that way).Then the third is my oldest friend Carol who comes all the way from Washington to be our designated driver (She is also just that way). We have a wonderful evening together and the next morning Carol kidnaps me and  whisks me away for a nice visit with her in Washington. I'll miss you all of course, but don't worry, she didn't bring my grandbabies along and I can't go too long without seeing them, as most of you know.




Okay, I know we aren't men and we won't be making it home from the bar in a tub, but it just made me think of it. So Rub-dub-dub ladies!

It's All About Me

From a famous writer or celebrity, to a WordPress.com blogger or someone close to you — who would you like to be your biographer?

I would choose my bestest friend Carol. She has known me the longest and probably understands me the most. She knows the things I have been through, both good and bad, and could probably tell my story with the most accuracy and kindness. I'm afraid it would be a colossal waste of her time though. Who on earth would want to read it?

I'd like to buy a vowel Pat

It's me again. I don't know what's the matter with me, but I've been just terrible about keeping my blog updated. It's time I stopped making excuses and just do better.
Anyway,
Here is the writing challenge I received today....
Pick a letter, any letter. Now, write a story, poem, or post in which every line starts with that letter.
I choose the letter "I"

I have been doing very poorly at keeping up with my blog.
I really want to do better.
I am going to try.
I finally got an offending tooth pulled out yesterday, and
I feel much better.
I think they had something more meaningful in mind when they suggested this post.

Anger

Tell us about a time when you flew into a rage. What is it that made you so incredibly angry?

 That's not an easy question for me since I very rarely express anger. I'm one of those people who stuff it. Not good I know, but anger just wasn't acceptable when I grew up. Even when I do get angry, it's rarely big enough to be called "rage".

I did have a reaction that was strange for me not too long ago though. I recently lost a very dear friend. The evening I found out I was devastated. I cried, hard and a lot. The next morning though, I was so angry. I literally wanted to throw things. I wanted to break things. I've never felt that way before. I didn't act on it of course....not me, but I did have the feeling.

Run For the Hills!

"It's never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don't really know." Agree or disagree?

AGREE!!!!!
And I must say that they are subjects to stay away from with some people you know quite well.
I HATE conflict and I have someone in my life whose conversation with me is guaranteed to include ugly argument if those subjects are introduced.
YUCK! Just don't go there!

Long Time No Hear?

There's either been a lot going on in my life of late, or I got just plain lazy, but either way, it's been a long time between posts. I apologize to the few of you who follow me. I just have been unable to keep up. I'm back and I'll try to do better.

There have been many writing challenges while I've been absent. Most I've deleted, but here are a couple of the ones that I didn't write about.....

Tell us about your favorite meal, either to eat or to prepare. Does it just taste great, or does it have other associations?

 If you know me, you know that there isn't a meal that is my favorite meal to prepare. I'm not a good cook. Given the time, money, and an entirely different kitchen, I would love to practice and get better. I would also need someone around to eat this food though, since who wants to do all the work, get better, and sit down to eat it alone. Not me, especially since that leaves only little ol' me to clean up the mess. I'll just tick with my favorite meal to eat....PIZZA!!!!  

 

 Vanilla, chocolate, or something else entirely?

Well, that depends,,,,Am I at 31 Flavors?  Peanut Butter/Chocolate or sometimes Butter Pecan which was my mother's favorite. Am I buying it at the supermarket? Definitely Breyers Natural Vanilla with plenty of Hershey's chocolate sauce. And finally and best of all homemade ice cream. I'll take vanilla please.

   

So that's it. I'll try to do better and keep up. 

Have a fabulous day ladies! 

Happy Wanderer

What's your travel style? Are you itinerary and schedule driven, needing to have every step mapped out in advance or are you content to arrive without a plan and let happenstance be your guide?
I am able, and have, traveled with itineraries and such, but my favorite way to travel would be with no time table whatsoever. I would just love to take off in my car along with a fun friend and just go. I want to stop whenever I notice something interesting I'd like to check out, stop whenever I see someplace where I'd love to try their food, I want to take the back roads and just amble along with no goal but to see and enjoy things and to meet people along the way.

Someday?

Rosetta Stone

If you could wake up tomorrow and be fluent in any language you don’t currently speak, which would it be? Why? 

I really wish I could speak another language and I would choose Spanish simply because there are so very many Spanish speaking people in our country. I could get a lot of practice!

Just a Pinch

Happy Saint Patrick's Day everyone!

Have a fabulously green day!

Today they asked me....

Beach, mountain, forest, or somewhere else entirely?

Forest please.

Paper Pumpkin Club tonight.
Boy, have I been having a good time with this kit.
And I haven't even nearly used it all!

More Sale A Bration!

For the first time Stampin Up has decided to give us even more products to chose from during Sale A Bration.
Beginning March 1st you can choose from these new products free with a $50 purchase as well as the items previously shown in the Sale A Bration catalog. More free choices? AWESOME!!!

March and Spring are nearly here!

Well, my goodness! February sure has raced by quickly! Only one more class remaining!
This Thursday we will be meeting for our February Paper Pumpkin Club meeting at Linda Wainscoat's house at 6 pm. I'm hoping to see all of my wonderful club members there.

That means it's time to announce the class dates for March.

The Stampin Up Workshop will be held on March 5th at my house. This workshop is $10 and this month you will get a chance to play with the beautiful Lotus Blossom stamp set that is available for free during SaleABration with any $50 order. I can't believe how easy it is to get a beautiful shaded effect with this set.



Next, on March 19th I will hold my monthly $20 Card Class. It will be time to get those Easter/Springtime cards and treats ready for our giving.

And finally, on March 26th we will again be holding our monthly meeting of the Paper Pumpkin Club. I can't wait to see what we get next! I don't know about all of you, but I'm really enjoying receiving a little surprise in my mail box each month.

Hope to see some of you for these March classes. Be sure and contact me to sign up so that I will have a kit all prepped and ready for you.

Spring is on its way!  Tonna

Digging for Treasure

Dig through your couch cushions, your purse, or the floor of your car and look at the year printed on the first coin you find. What were you doing that year?

Okay....If you know me, you know that it would be extremely rare to find a single coin in my couch cushions. I NEED THOSE COINS! So I checked just in case and, as I suspected, No coins. 
Since I usually eat and snack on my couch....(Don't judge me), all I found was a multitude of crumbs.
Great! Now how I have to clean up this mess!

Beem Me Back Scottie

Today I am to tell you about a sensation -- a taste, a smell, a piece of music -- that transports me back to childhood.

 Every once in a while when I'm near an older woman (Actually, I guess I fall into that category now), I catch a whiff of a certain scent that takes me back to my great grandmother's dressing table. She sat at this table when getting ready and powdered her face with loose powder and a big powder puff. 
 

What I really think of when asked this question though, is an experience I had when Michael and I bought our home in Bakersfield. The former owner had wallpapered EVERYTHING. When we began removing wallpaper in the kitchen, we discovered that there were three or four layers. A couple of layers down I discovered a layer of green paper that gave me the best feeling. I couldn't explain it but if I had been able to do it cleanly, I would have left the paper up. Even though it was super outdated and not really attractive. It just gave me the best feeling. Some time later while looking through old pictures, I discovered why. The exact Early American wallpaper was hanging in the dining room of the first home I lived in with my family growing up. I call this place my Happy Home because I have such good memories of being happy there as a child. 

So there you have it. Sensations that take me back to childhood.

On Your Walls

What do you display on the walls of your home -- photos, posters, artwork, nothing? 

If you've visited my home you know that there is a bit of everything on my walls. A look at my walls will give you a view of a lot of things, just not wall. I have stuff. Enough to drive some people bonkers, but I love my stuff and I love to have it around me. 
So there!!
By the way. Some people find it homey and welcoming.

Food Faves

          

The writing challenge gods today tell me that I am stranded on a desert island and asks me what five food item I want to have there with me.

The first two are easy.....pizza, 
and Mexican food. 

The next two would have to be my current obsessions.I get totally hooked on things sometimes. For a long time it was Hot Tamales. The next was Peanut Butter filled Pretzels, also for a long time. Once I get hooked on something it lasts for a long time, and then suddenly it becomes something new. I have two right now, Peanut M&M's and Fritos Scoops, so I guess I'll have to have both of those as well. After all, I'll be needing chocolate and something salty. 

 Alright, I'm only allowed one more. I guess I will take iced tea as my final choice because I'll definitely be needed something besides water to drink. I'm horrible about drinking water. I know that's awful, but it's the truth. I'm not big on vegetables either while I'm fessing up.

So there are my current choices. What are yours?

Be My Valentine

Today on Valentines Day my writing challenges was to write an ode to someone or something I love. 
I have chosen to write an ode to a wonderful sweet man. He was the very first boyfriend I ever had and has remained a treasured friend ever since. I was very young at the time or I probably would have appreciated him more. We do not live near each other so I seem him very seldom. This past year though, he made it possible for me to attend a reunion of our church youth group in Southern California. It was wonderful to see him, as well as many others from my teenage years. Recently however, he has been hospitalized. He's having severe memory problems and they are doing extensive tests trying to find out what is wrong, but we don't know yet. I texted him and asked him to be my valentine today, and he accepted. So...That is my ode to someone I love. I love Maynard (Yes, that's his name. Not his real one, but it's his name) He is constantly in my thoughts and my prayers right now, and I would love it if you all would pray for him as well. I'm hoping that he will be better soon and out of that hospital and when that happens, I hope I will see him as soon as possible.

That's us, so many years ago at church summer camp. I wish we realized what a treasure these carefree days were when we had them. I wish we made smarter decisions and hung on to the Lord tighter. Right now though, I just wish I could see my valentine and help him through this time 

Paper Pumpkin Sale....and right during Sale A Bration!

Hello All

Stampin Up is offering a discount on a three month subscription to Paper Pumpkin. Right now during Sale A Bration it is being offered at $5 off. PLUS...Because it is going on during Sale A Bration that purchase automatically earns you a free product from the Sale A Bration catalog. That means you would get a discount off the regular monthly price of your kits for that three months which adds up to a savings of just over $1.66 each month. PLUS earning a free product just for taking advantage of the sale. What a great deal!

Those of you buying one month at a time might want to consider this option.

And Just a hint....I'm going to pause my ongoing subscription and buy a three month one to take advantage of the sale. Then I'll start my other subscription back up when the three months is up.

Anything to save a few bucks. That's me!

Contact me if you'd like to save with me!

Pride

Today the Daily Post which sends me my writing challenges asks me when was the last time someone told me they were proud of me.
I don't like this question. It brings up sadness in me. It's not something I hear from those closest to me.
I think that my upline in Stampin Up told me she was proud of what I have accomplished and I know that my upline in my new adventure in Jamberry has been super encouraging, but that's just not the same.
While I admit that self pride is something that the Lord frowns upon, just a little pat on the back is something that we all long for I think.

I remember a couple of years ago or so I was watching a movie and the daughter in the movie told her mom that she was proud of her and I burst out crying. What a sap! It just hit me how much it would mean to my heart if I heard that from my girls. I think if my mom were alive today she would be proud of me, but it's not something I heard from my folks when they were here.

Why don't we tell people that more often. Especially to our children. It's such a simple thing that would mean so much. Just to know someone notices, someone cares.

In the end, I know that my Heavenly Father is proud of the steps I have made in my walk with Him as He encourages me and guides me along the way, and He's the most important one after all......
Still, can you imagine your child telling you they are proud of you?

Go Directly To Jail

Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows). Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

Break the law? Me? I'm really not much of a rule breaker. There have been a few incidents many years ago while in the company of either my mother, or my friend Carol who is a terrible influence on me (But she sure is fun!) Anyway, even then I've never done anything that would really get me into any serious trouble. Can you just see my halo?

Okay...I'll tell one. A few of us, including me and Carol, were in the car heading home from a church function. We were angry at our friend Marlene. She was always stealing away boyfriends, so we were angry with her a lot. Anyway, I made the mistake of saying "I wish she'd just move away." Well, don't say things like that in Carol's ear shot....Something will happen. And something did. We ended up driving all over town and taking for sale signs from people's yards. A LOT of for sale signs. We had the trunk full and the rest of them were in the backseat with Carol and I. Well wouldn't you know, we get pulled over. Here I sat in the back seat with Carol and the for sales signs. I think I was about to pee my pants as the cop came to the windows with his flashlight. We had our coats and our feet on top of them and thank heaven we didn't get caught. How would we explain an enormous amount of for sale signs? We promised the policeman that we were on our way home and would go straight there, but we did make a stop first. Under cover of darkness, we planted every one of those signs in the front yard of Marlene's house. It was classic. I wish I had a picture. Her family did not get the hint however, and Marlene remained to torture us.


These days the only thing I can say I do that breaks the law is speed while driving, and even then I only go 5 miles over the speed limit. Hey! This old woman CAN NOT afford a speeding ticket! So nowadays I'm a boring old grandma....but you never know what may happen when Carol comes to visit. You are warned!

Burnin Down the House

Here is a writing challenge I recently received....
Your home is on fire. Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

Are you kidding me?1\
1/My pictures
2/My photo albums
3/My craft supplies
4/The family clock that was passed down to me
5/My purse

Not a very inspiring list. Oh well.

The Right Foot

What are the things you need to do within 30 minutes of waking up to ensure your day gets off on the right foot? What happened the last time you didn't do one of these things?

I need to take my pills. If I forget, my back and my poor feet soon remind me.
For the very best day, I need to do my Bible study first before anything else. What a difference it makes in my day.
And last of all, I try to actually remember to put some clothes on. If I get to my desk and start working, I may look up and realize that it's late afternoon and I'm still in my jammies.....Uh Oh

What do all of you need to get done when you get up in the morning?

The Last Picture

Tonight I am actually going to do one of the writing challenges. It's been forever, right? I don't get them daily anymore, as a matter of fact, I don't get them very often at all. Don't know why. Then many of the ones I do get don't inspire me much. Today they ask me tell the story behind the last picture I took. I checked, and the last several pics I took were of the last class I taught. I had to send them to a couple of students who were unable to make it. So, it's not much of a story, but I thought I'd share them here to let you all see what we made.
Contact me if you think you'd ever like to join us. We have a really great time.
Also drop me a line if you'd like to be put on the email list I use to let every know my class dates each month.

 I'd love to have you!Tonna

Weekly Deals Plus

Here is a brand new set being offered by Stampin Up. I like it. It would be so nice on the back of our homemade cards!

Better Than E-Mail

Now here are this week's deals for you.

Jan 13 Weekly Deals

Weekly Deals

We hope you enjoy this week's Weekly Deals!

Angled Tag Topper Punch Item # 133323 Regular Price: $22.95 US/$31.95 CAN Discounted Price: $17.21 US/$23.96 CAN Little Pieces Embosslits Die Item # 133733 Regular Price: $11.95 US/$14.95 CAN Discounted Price: $8.96 US/$11.21 CAN Starburst Framelits Die Item # 132967 Regular Price: $26.95 US/$32.95 CAN Discounted Price: $20.21 US/$24.71 CAN Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack Item # 133787 Regular Price: $16.95 US/$22.95 CAN Discounted Price: $12.71 US/$17.21 CAN Tangelo Twist 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon Item # 133669 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.25 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.19 CAN       Blackberry Bliss 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon Item # 133668 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.25 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.19 CAN Watercolored Winter Kit - Digital Download Item # 136678 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/$6.57 CAN

Weekly Desls

It's that time again!Here are your weekly deals for this week 

January Class Dates

I am going to have one less class for the month of January since I ended up having a rather eventful holiday season..

To kick it off I went to spend the night at my daughter's house so that I could watch Landon open his gifts on Christmas. (He's two. Who wouldn't want to be there for that!) I was going back out to my car to get my gifts and both my feet slipped from under me and I landed flat on my back on the icy concrete driveway, and my head took quite a pounding on cement.
Once I was able to get up and had gotten inside to get my bearings I went back out stocking feet so I wouldn't slip again. I ended up with a headache that would come and go, but I thought I was okay. It was the same the next morning, but as the day went on the headache got worse and became constant. I was supposed to go to a friend's house for Christmas dinner. The kids left for dinner elsewhere and although I was supposed to go to a friend's house for dinner, I just had to lie down a bit. The headache continued to worsen and I began to feel kind of disoriented. Everything kind of looked and kind of felt like a dream. Eventually I felt like maybe I should check to make sure everything was okay, but I was there alone and certainly didn't want to drive in my dreamlike state, so I called the nurse hot line. They asked me a bunch of questions and told me that I needed to get in to the ER. Luckily the kids came home while I was on the phone with them, cause they were going to send an ambulance! Megan took me and dropped me off at Emergency. So here I was sitting alone in the ER in my pajamas on Christmas. This is NOT how I recommend any of you spend your holiday!

Once I got in they poked me everywhere like a pincushion trying to start an IV.  I have bad veins so all this trouble was not foreign to me, but they even tried a spot near my right breast! That was a new one for me! Another finally had to come in to do it and she ended up getting it on my leg. Also a new one for me. They finally gave me something for the pain and rolled me in to have a CAT scan done. That revealed that I did not have a fracture and there was no bleeding. I just had a pretty severe concussion. Megan returned to pick me up around midnight I think, and that finalized my Christmas day.
 The next day I got myself to the pharmacy for the pain pill prescription and then home to land on my own couch. There I remained in pain pill oblivion, then just as I began to get better I found that I  had caught Landon's bad cold. To make an already very long story a bit shorter--I was not able to leave the house again until Saturday. Today I will actually get back to church. I missed a lot including a New Year's party at church. NOT HAPPY!

So... I got a bit behind in my class preparation. To help me catch up I am going to combine my regular card class and my Stampin Up workshop into just one class. That class will be on
Thursday January 15th at 6pm and the fee is $20
Our Paper Pumpkin Club for January will be held on the 29th at 6pm. The fee is only $5, but you do have to be a Paper Pumpkin subscriber to attend,
Then hopefully all my drama will be over and February will get back to normal.

Drop me a line if you would like to attend either of these classes ASAP since I am working on those kits now.

Happy New Year to you all. I hope that your holiday season has been a little less crazy than mine was.

Tonna