Dark Thoughts

Bookmark and $10 Amazon GC Giveaway!

2012-02-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

I've won so much from other blogs lately that I thought it only right to give something back. So I am giving away a $10 Amazon gc and three bookmarks from my own bookmark stash to one lucky person and 2 other people will receive three book marks from my stash.

All you have to do is comment on this post and leave an email address I can contact you with.
That's it! Easy peasy.
Don't forget to leave your email address in the comments!

Giveaway ends February 17th! Which just happens to be my birthday...and you will have to respond to my email within 48 hours or I will pick another winner.

Too funny

2012-01-31T10:27:00.000-08:00

What is a Dormouse? - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

2012-01-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

After seeing a few pictures of what a Dormouse looks like and seeing a video of one snoring I just had to write an article about them. isn't he the cutest thing you've ever seen? Just click the link to read my article.
What is a Dormouse? - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

The Insanity of Protecting Rats

2012-01-30T11:47:00.000-08:00

I had to share an article with you and let you know I wrote to the man who wrote the article and got a response. I was surprised by the article and even more surprised by this guy's response to my email. I thought I would share them with you. First click on the link and read the article...if you know anything about me at all you'll see why I had to write to this guy.

The Insanity of Protecting Rats

Here's my email to him:
"Hi,

After reading your article I felt compelled to write to you and express another side to this story. My name is Mary Kirkland and I write articles about how to care for small animals such as rats, hamsters and mice. I teach people how to humanely remove rats, mice and other rodents from their property with humane traps and relocate them or call people who will do it for them.

There are those of us and I do mean a lot of us who adore rats, all rats including the wild ones. I myself have 4 pet rats and seeing articles like yours makes me sad that you cannot see that there's nothing wrong with not killing every living creature you see as a pest just because they invade your space. There's nothing wrong with humanely trapping a family of rats and relocating them.

Oh and I also wanted to let you know you have some facts wrong about rats. You say in your article that the life span of a rat is approximately 9 months...that's inaccurate, an average life span of a rat is 4 years...even in the wild.

Mary Kirkland

My Published Articles- http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/37985/mary_kirkland.html "

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Here is his response to me:
"Worldwide, rats and other rodents tons of food that would otherwise feed humans. You are free to hold your beliefs and care for your rats, but I assure you that you are a distinct minority was regards what most people feel about them.

Cheers,

Alan Caruba"
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now I kept the emails just in case someone doesn't believe me. Because this guy writes articles just like I do and I was a little surprised that he didn't check his response to me and catch the glaring mistakes in this response.

Oh and I don't believe that I am a distinct minority in my beliefs because it was another ratty lover that showed me the article in the first place and there are more and more people who think not all animals should be outright killed just because they are unlucky enough to share the same space with a human.

If you agree with me, you can also send an email to Alan and let him know. Here's him email address ACaruba@aol.com

Are There Any Books You Won't Read?

2012-01-30T09:49:00.000-08:00

I read a lot of books, probably around 50 a month. There aren't a whole lot of books that I won't read. I've read self help books, although I really don't read them much anymore. I'm old enough now that I am stuck in my ways and don't really want to change. lol

I like cookbooks of all kinds but have come across a few that I would not read. Ones like..The Afterbirth recipe book. O.o Yes, there really are recipes for your afterbirth. Yecht! How about a nice afterbirth meatloaf..Yeah, I don't think so.

Or another cookbook I saw was the big book of road kill recipes. Now of course these are not the names of the cookbooks..I made them up. At least I hope these aren't the names of the cookbooks because seriously just made them up. lol

And yet another cookbook would be the Let's Eat A Bug cookbook. Yummy ways to deep fry, bake, and saute all the bugs in your garden..lol Oh yum!

Oh and lets not forget cooking with Sperm and cooking with mother's milk. I'm seriously not making this up..it's real. Google it.

Yeah, it's a real book. Aren't you looking forward to that sperm flan? Me either.

It's not the cookbooks that really get me laughing or gagging..*No pun intended* there's also books about hair..like mullets, bee hives, how to shave your head, how to keep people from pulling your hair or keep insects from invading your hair.

Then there's the one's that think they are funny...farting dogs, the big books of farts. The big book of pimples, hairy nipples or piercings. Oh and the amount of circumcision books will boggle the mind. There's one called, "I Want My Foreskin For Christmas"...seriously.

Don't even get me started on the bathroom humor books. I won't even go there. *Again, no pun intended*

Then I was surprised by the amount of books about Crafting With Cat Hair.

Blurb From Amazon:

"Got fur balls?

Are your favorite sweaters covered with cat hair? Do you love to make quirky and one-of-a-kind crafting projects? If so, then it’s time to throw away your lint roller and curl up with your kitty! Crafting with Cat Hair shows readers how to transform stray clumps of fur into soft and adorable handicrafts. From kitty tote bags and finger puppets to fluffy cat toys, picture frames, and more, these projects are cat-friendly, eco-friendly, and require no special equipment or training. You can make most of these projects in under an hour—with a little help, of course, from your feline friends!"

There's also Crafting with dog hair and I can only imagine how many other animals are listed as well.

So there you have my list for the types of books that I don't want to read. What would you say No to?

How to Cure Aggressiveness in Pet Rats - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

2012-01-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

Since I wrote an article about rats I thought I would add a picture of my boys here. This picture cracks me up because what you see is three little ratty butts and then the smallest rat in the middle sticking his head out. Little Brodie is all about the cuddles here. lol

Here's my latest published article. if you take a look and read it please feel free to let me know what you think about this one or any of the others I've written.

How to Cure Aggressiveness in Pet Rats - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com

Book Covers I like

2012-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

I was wondering around the Internet and Amazon adding more books to my wishlist because I plan on buying some more in a few days...and I came across a few book covers that I thought for one reason or another were really eye catching. I liked the colors, the eyes, the background or just the picture itself.

Now don't you agree that those were nice book covers? While I was looking for books to get, I saw so many book covers where the heads are no where to be seen in the picture...all we see is a naked tirso..or a clothed torso but no heads and that conjures up memories of the headless horseman or a grizzly murder scene. Which is not something I want to be thinking about while trying to pick out a sexy paranormal romance...ya know what I mean? Publishers...ya hear me? Stop already with the headless torso book covers.

Demotivational Posters

2012-01-27T16:05:00.000-08:00

I love these they are so funny.

My Gumball Obsession

2012-01-26T10:15:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you remember last year I let you all know that my secret obsession is Gumballs. I now have two glass jars on my shelf with gumballs in them. I was planning on doing a whole room themed with gumballs but thought that might be too much for the family..I'm gonna have to slowly get them used to the idea. lol

So here are some more gumball surprises for you to admire.

Gumball Machine Earrings.

Gumball Machine Shower Curtain.

A Portait made from Gumballs.

A Truck Covered in Gumballs..interesting.

This is one of my favorite gumball candy designs. It looks so festive.

Gumball Shower hooks to go with the Gumball Machine shower curtain.

Gumball lamps.

And my favorite..Hello Kitty Gumball Fingernail Art.

This center piece is made with silk flowers and then gumballs are stuck to the tops of colored straws.

Glass Gumball Beads made into necklaces.

Crazy Teen Trends

2012-01-25T08:07:00.000-08:00

I was watching the DR. Phil Show the other day and was shocked to hear about the different ways teens are getting drunk at school. The latest way is to soak gummi bear in vodka and take the gummi bear to school. What they do is soak the gummi bears in vodka for anywhere from a day to 4 days and then just take them to school and eat them. No one really thinks anything about a kid eating candy at school and they are getting drunk off the candies.

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After doing some reasearch on the internet about the vodka gummi bears I found out kids are also using skittles candies for something different. They separate the skittles into the different colors and add them to vodka and let it sit over night. Strain the mixture and put into juice bottles to take to school. The orange skittles mixture looks just like orange juice and no one would know the difference.

Parents need to be extra careful these days when kids are thinking of things like this just so they can get drunk at school.

Cotton Candy Reviews: Spontaneous giveaway!

2012-01-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

Cotton Candy Reviews: Spontaneous giveaway!: If I get 200 followers by midnight tomorrow I will giveaway 3 books by Aussie authors of your choice up to $30 from The Book Depository! So ...

Sure, I Can Do That..

2012-01-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hubby's insurance finally approved a new medicine that he talked to his doctor about. The meds he is taking are notorious for adding belly fat to the person taking them and since he started getting a belly he wanted to try the medicine that is supposed to help with that. The box was shipped to us and he found out it's actually an injection he has to give himself daily..in his belly.

They sent a large box of supplies and instructions and left it up to him to figure out how to add the sterile water to the vials and fill the needle and give himself an injection. Neither of us have a problem with this because it's pretty straight forward and we can figure it out with the instructions, but I really think they maybe should have sent a nurse to show him how to do it, or at least have one available for those who are sent this and don't have a clue. I was a little surprised they did this and just left it up to the patient to figure out. I know if these supplies had been sent to an older person like my mom or dad...they would have been freaking out and probably would have missed one of the steps and done it wrong.

As it turns out...I am going to be doing the mixing and giving Ken the injections because he'd rather have me do it, which I have no problem with. I gave him the first injection last night and he said he didn't even feel it..because I am just that good...LOL *Or the needle is just that tiny, yeah it could be that too*

I remember my doctor telling me that if my diabetes test results came back positive that I would have to take a class through the health department before they would give me the blood sugar meter and my first month's supplies. I wonder why that wasn't the case for this.

Coffee Funnies

2012-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

I found some interesting coffee mugs and coffee funnies for today's post. I drink about 10 cups of coffee a day, so I should be bouncing off the walls here shortly. lol

Animal Photobomb

2012-01-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

If you've never heard of a photo bomb before here's what it is in a nut shell. You're trying to take a picture and right as you snap it...someone or something gets their face in there. This can be a person in the background making faces or like these an animal just getting in the shot.

There is also the photobomb where in the background something you didn't see is going on and you snap a picture.

I thought these were pretty funny.

Do I need a Passport to get to Hawaii?

2012-01-20T05:58:00.000-08:00

This is one of the funniest things I've ever read.
You just know this guy was laughing his head off as he was writing this.

My Favorite Movie Quotes

2012-01-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

We all watch movies and some of them have the best movie quotes that stick with you forever. The one that has always stuck with me is " You're gonna need a bigger boat" Of course that's from Jaws.
I love that movie..

Others would be..

"Go ahead, make my day" Sudden Impact.
"It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it is told." Silence of the Lambs.
"Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape." Planet of the Apes.
"No wire hangers." Mommy Dearest.
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner." Dirty dancing.
"He's not brooding, or lovesick, he's the fucking shark from Jaws." Fright Night Remake.
"Welcome to Fright Night! For real." Fright Night ..original.

Those are some of mine, what are some of yours?

Teen Wolf Moving to Teen Nick

2012-01-18T06:40:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but last year I watched a new show on MTV called Teen Wolf and I loved it so I searched to find out when it's coming back because it did get picked up for another season...Then I read something I didn't like at all. It won't be coming back to MTV it's being picked up by Teen Nick..channel 357 on Cox Cable..which is not included in my digital package. I'm so irritated..I really liked that show, but I am not going to pay for yet another channel so I can watch it and that just sucks. Looks like I'll have to hope it goes to dvd at some point so I can watch season 2 and so on...

So if you were wondering about this show..there you have it.

My latest article was published

2012-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

You all already know how much I love to share my articles as they get published and hope that someone who is looking for an answer to some of the questions I've answered in my articles is helped. Well this is no different. I wrote an article titled How To Care For An Older Rat and you can read it by clicking the link.

I used a picture of Hades for this article. My 4 rats are a little over a year old now and so cuddly and lazy. My big squishy rats. lol

Vampires or Werewolves?

2012-01-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge Vampire fan and I blame my mom for that one. When I was young..I mean really young like 5 years old she had me watching the black and white Dracula with her. Then when I didn't have nightmares and I liked it she would let me stay up on Friday and Saturday nights to watch horror movies with her. I later found out that she let me stay up with her because she was too scared to watch them by herself. LOL So she had me out there for moral support and my love of all things horror was born.

My little brother and older brother also loves to watch Horror movies and when my daughter was born I let her watch horror movies with me and now she loves them as well. My favorite horror movies have Vampires in them...I'm sure I've seen about 99.9% of all vampire movies ever made...even the old black and white ones that were made before I was born and I loved them all.

I recently watched the remake for Fright Night..which just happens to be my favorite vamp movie of all time and the remake was so good. I liked it because you can watch it as a stand alone movie and it doesn't follow the original word for word, which really irritates me in remakes.

Now Werewolf movies are great, they come in a close second for me. I think I've probably watched 98% of all werewolf movies ever made. Yes, I am that much of a horror movie fan. One of my all time favorites is The Howling. The transformation scene where the werewolf starts becoming a werewolf in front of the woman in the room is just so cool. They do close ups of his face bubbling and that grossed me out so much I remember when I got the vcr I would reverse and fast forward a few times so watch and re watch it. lol

There are good movies and bad movies...but if you are a vampire and or werewolf fan do you watch them anyway? I know I do..I have to so I can say it was either good or bad.

Rats: Pests or Pets

2012-01-16T05:47:00.000-08:00

I have a family friend on facebook that does not like rats and he is always making comments about how rats are not pets they are pests. Now the last time someone said something bad about my rats...I deleted them...and he was my nephew. But the nephew was rude, and immature about it..this guy is just ignorant and I feel a little sorry for him because he will never know the love of a small animal such as a rat or hamster.

I think there is a way to explain your feelings towards something you don't agree with and then there's the way that will get you deleted from your aunt's facebook page...the rude way. I am able to see others opinions, everyone is entitled to their opinions even if I don't agree with them. But be an adult and express your opinion without putting the other person down, there's just no call for that.

Book Review: Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill

2012-01-15T10:07:00.000-08:00

I just want to say that I don't write a lot of book reviews even though I read at least 50 books per month..the reason being I don't think I do as good a job as most other reviewers do at writing them, but after reading certain books I feel the need to share my opinion of books that really left an impression on me. This is one of those times. I should let you know right up front... I did not like this book so this will not be a gushing review..

I read the 1st and 2nd books in this series and while they both had good story lines, the plot was getting a bit thin. The interaction of the characters wasn't all it could be and while it kept me coming back hoping for more from this series..I can see after reading this book that I'm not getting my money's worth at all. I bought the first two books and won this third book in the series. I have to say I'm really glad I didn't have to spend the overpriced amount this book is being sold for only to read it and be disappointed. I'm glad this book was won and not bought because that would make me ever more irritated than I already am.

I've read a lot of reviews for this and so many people love this story..I tried but I just didn't and that being said, this will be the last book in this series I will be reading. I wanted to see more of a romance blossom between Merit and Ethan and while the storyline does develop...when Merit is put in danger Ethan has a freak out sort of emotional melt down and breaks things off with her. I wanted to see their relationship evolve, not be flushed down the toilet. This story needed the evolving relationship of some couple..any couple..just to make the storyline palatable.

The action in this story is good, it really is. But I want more story line than action that lets an author think that character development isn't needed if there's enough drama. I wanted less action and more interaction between the characters and this books just didn't deliver.

I thought I knew where this story was going and thought I would read the synopsis for the 4th and 5th books in this series just in case things do get better. I was shocked at the reviews and after reading some of the reviews with spoilers in them..I am now sure I won't be reading anymore. While I hoped things had gotten better I found the series took a direction I didn't see coming nor that I wanted to read about. I'm not paying these over priced prices for books in a series whose story lines take a turn I don't think any of us saw coming or really wanted to read about.

Save your money and read another series because this one just took a nose dive off a steep cliff.

How To Make Bill Collectors Stop Contacting You

2012-01-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

Here's how you get debt collectors to stop calling you. Write the collection company a letter, telling them that you are requesting they cease and desist any phone calls to your residence or business.

*Don't* make any threats. *Don't* acknowledge the debt. Just tell them to stop contacting you. They *have* to stop calling you or they're in violation of federal law and you can then get the Federal Trade Commission after them.

Even if you're on the Do Not Call list, a collection agency can still call you if they think you owe them money. But writing a letter to them should stop that foolishness. You can file complaints all day and they won't listen until you've written that all-important letter. And it has to be in writing.

Just print this form, fill it out and send it to them. They are allowed to call or write to you one time to let you know they received the letter and will not contact you again. The only problem is with most collection agencies, they will just hand the bill over to another collection agency and you will have to send another letter to the new one as well. But at least you will not have the phone calls.

Here's what to write in the letter.

Date
To: *The name and address of the collection agency*
Re: Account with *The original creditor*
Account Number from the original creditor

Notice to cease communication

This is to advise you that pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are hereby notified to immediately terminate any contact with me, or any member of my family or household, regarding any matter concerning the collection of a debt you allege is owed to your company or to your principal/company/client the original creditor noted above. This notice shall include but is not limited to written correspondence, as well as telephonic communication. You are advised that I simply wish you to cease all communication (Mail, phone calls or other) with me or any member of my family or household. This includes my place of employment. I do not admit any debt or deny any liability on the debt. I just want you to stop contacting me.

I intent to keep a log of any phone calls or other contacts you make to me after today. I am aware that further communications by you will make you liable for sums up to $1000, plus actual damages and counsel fees. You may contact me to tell me you are ceasing communication, once.

sincerely,

*Your name*

My Address is:

My Rat Hades

2012-01-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday The 13th

2012-01-13T03:41:00.001-08:00

Have a scary good day and watch as many Horror movies as you can. :)

Stinging Caterpillar Moths

2012-01-12T12:55:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine showed me a picture of a caterpillar and while I was looking to see what kind it was I happened to find a bunch of caterpillars that sting...so I thought it would be fun to share them with you. It's not everyday you find a bug that's both cute..kinda..and scary. Ok, maybe it is but you know you wanna look..lol

The White Flannel caterpillar. Looks harmless but will sting if it feels in danger.

The Stinging Rose caterpillar. Pretty but scary because it can hurt you.

White Flannel Moth Stinging Caterpillar.

Spiny Elm Caterpillar. I wouldn't want to touch this one.

Io Moth Caterpillar. Kinda cute in a scary omg sorta way.

Hag Moth Caterpillar. What a strange name for a caterpillar.

Buck Moth Caterpillar. What interesting coloring.

Stinging Saddleback Moth Caterpillar. This one is really interesting.

You Have A Lot of Nerve

2012-01-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

I recently received an email from an author who wanted me to review a book for him...and I should say I probably would have done so...but in his email he tells me I can download the book for just $1.99.

Wait..what?

You want me to pay for a book that you want me to review?
*face/Palm*

Are you out of your mind?

Yes, yes I think you are..

That is all.

Do You Like Jewelry?

2012-01-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

This is the ring I wear on my right hand ring finger. I just love the design on this one. It's a black onyx sterling silver Tribal Celtic Trinity Braid Band, w/ Marquise Cut.

This ring is on my pinkie finger on my right hand. Black onyx and sterling siler.

This ring is a new one bought just last month. It's the ring I wear on my left hand pinkie finger. It's black onyx and marcasite, sterling silver.

And this is my newest ring. I wear it on my left hand ring finger. Garnet and Marcasite, sterling silver.

You may have seen a pattern here. lol Most of my jewelry is black onyx or garnets and everything is sterling silver. I don't much care for gold and while I do wear some earring with colored stones in them to match what color shirt I'm wearing at the time, since I wear black most days...most of my jewelry is black onyx. I do have a few green earrings to go with my green shirts. I like wearing green shirts because my eyes are green and it makes the color come out more. The only problem with that is my pupils are usually super big, always have been and you can't really see the color of my eyes unless you are real close.

For the longest time before hubby's family met me they all thought I had dark brown eyes because my pupils are so large that's all you can see in my pictures...lol

I have made some earrings myself as well. I like to make beaded jewelry and the earrings are the easiest to make. Throwing some color into a pair of earrings I'm making is pretty easy if I have the right beads to do it. I like using glass beads, lampwork beads and Swarovski Crystal Beads.

So there you have it. What about you. Do you have a favorite style of jewelry?

Turning 42!

2012-01-07T11:21:00.001-08:00

Yes, I know this spring chicken has hatched, been scrambled and is now just a shell of her former self...LOL *Omg I crack myself up*

That's right in February I'll be turning 42 years old and this month I got my very first pair of reading glasses. *hangs head in shame* It was starting to get really hard to read the fine print on bottles, magazines, my 48" tv screen. lol so reading glasses it was. They really help though I have to say.

I thought I would share some of the other things you youngun's have to look forward to as you get older. *Omg I just said youngun's..I totally sounded like my gramdma*

A few years ago I found my first gray hair..I knew right then...it was time for Nice & Easy..I have very nice Black hair now..no grays.

I am old enough to say things like, do as I say, not as I did.
Because I'm older than you and I know better!
Been there done that.
When I was your age...

I can also do things to embarrass my grown child...lol

Now I already had a 10% hearing loss in my left ear...from listening to music too loud when I was younger is what my doc told me. *Tell your kids to turn down their music or we'll have a bunch of deaf 40 year olds in 20 years* but it seems my hearing has gotten even worst in the past few years. Yea old age..thanks so much.

My hair is falling out more and more...my husband went so far as to tell me my falling hairs are attacking him, stalking him and when he walks by POW, they wrap themselves around his feet and scurry into his underwear to wrap around his manly parts. I should tell you, my hair is down past my butt, so when one falls out, it can wrap around the darnedest things several times. lol But I seriously doubt they are stalking him...O_o

I found a 2 inch long hair on my face...i kid you not..it was the thinnest hair I've ever seen and I pulled it out but you know what...it just keeps coming back. I can only hope it doesn't bring brothers and sisters with it.

I also found a gray eye brow hair. Eye brow hair...lol yeah I was a little freaked out that my eye brows were turning gray..

My skin is getting drier..good grief I should just buy stock in a lotion company right now.

I have Osteoarthritis in my knee's. I am creaking and cracking more than a wooden carriage.

Did you know that as you get older you can have light bladder leakage? Yeah, me either...getting old is so much fun.

Oh and the best thing about getting older is I don't want to leave my house because I get tired easy. Decreased activity? Check!

In the course of natural aging there are many things that may or may not affect you, but it's the normal course of things and not much we can do about it.

Here are three Videos of my Rats

2012-01-05T16:27:00.001-08:00

I've shared pictures of my rats with you all before but I'm not sure if I've shared the videos I made of them, so here they are.

Jasper, hades, Ares and Brodie.

They are very affectionate and make great pets.

Dirty Little Secret

2012-01-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

Dirty Little Secret

Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by us at Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets. This is the very first meme I've participated in but it looked like fun and I hope you'll enjoy this post.

To participate in the meme head over to Under the Covers blog for rules. Also, Non-bloggers, please participate! Leave your answers in the comments!

We hope you join us and let us know your Dirty Little Secrets!

This week's question:

Christmas is over. Santa has left the building. We now have 2012 to look forward to! What new release are you looking forward to in the new year?

Time Untime By Sherrilyn Kenyon

The Darkest Seduction by Gena Showalter

Wild Cat by Jennifer Ashley

There are no covers for the others I am looking forward to because they won't be released until towards the end of the year but they are...
Kiss The Dead by Laurell K Hamilton
An Untitled dark Novel by Christine Feehan
Samurai Game by Christine Feehan

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Without Spending A Lot Of Money

2012-01-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a Great article telling you how to get rid of Bed Bugs without Spending all your money on fumigators or chemicals and it really works. Click Here to read my article.

Save your money for things that work and don't give money to pest control that uses chemicals that don't work. Bed bugs are immune to so many of the chemicals that are used by pest contol but they keep using them and charging you hundreds of dollars.

Using Kitty Litter which is a desiccant and dries bed bugs out, some tape and vaseline...you can rid your house of these pests yourself, but you have to be vigilant and get the kitty litter into all the little spots in your home. It really does work and it's easy and cheap, what do you have to lose before you spend hundred's or even thousands of dollars on a pest control company?

The Mayonaise Jar and 2 Beers

2012-01-02T11:38:00.000-08:00

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Beers

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

A Small Rant

2012-01-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

A while back I was contacted by a publisher and was asked if I would be willing to review one of their products, it was an audio book. I said yes and was sent an audio book, listened to it and published my review. Everything was fine. I was then asked if I wanted to run a contest on my blog page and said yes, I thought it would be a great idea and this publisher would send the winner their prize. I should say that the prize was a copy of the same audio book I had listened to and reviewed, Everything went well and the winner got their prize. I was asked if I would like to do it again...and once again I said yes.

I ran the giveaway this time for a different audio book and gave the publisher their address...this is when things got a little strange. The winner was sent a copy of the same audio book I had reviewed and another person had already won in another giveaway on my blog. Now at this point me and the lady from this company had been emailing each other quite often and I never went more than a day without getting a response from her. But when I emailed her this time about the mix up it took a few days for her to get back to me but she assured me she would resend the right audio bookset that my winner had won and that we had agreed I would be giving away.

A couple of weeks went by and my winner told me she never got anything else. It's now been more than 2 months since this has gone down and all my subsequent emails to the publisher have been ignored.

I was not going to tell you the name of the company I was dealing with but anyone who looks back into October can see what giveaways I was doing and for what company and I think it's only fair to tell others to be careful when dealing with companies who are going to be responsible for mailing the winners their prizes. So I decided to tell you it was Macmillan Audio that I had these problems with.

I've seen on a couple of other blogs that they tell you they are not responsible for lost of misdirected mail when it comes from the publisher itself and not to take it out on the person who's blog you won it on since it's coming straight from the publisher and they are responsible for mailing the winnings out. So I was wondering how much do things like this happen?

I really have no idea what the problem was but it turned me off from doing this type of giveaway again. I may do another giveaway in the future but if I do...it will be for an amazon.com gift card...

I'm asking everyone to Boycott the movie War Horse

2011-12-31T14:24:00.000-08:00

I found out recently that at least 40 rats were killed and stuffed for the movie War Horse. I'll be boycotting this movie because of this and asking that anyone who cares about animal welfare do the same. Here's a link to an interview with the taxidermist who killed and stuffed the animals for the movie.

Interview with Taxidermist

And here's another article written by Mary Cummins talking about this subject.

I am sickened by this and hope others are as well. There was no need to kill an animal in order to make it more real when there are people out there who could have sculpted one to look real. There was no need for this at all.

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T07:34:00.000-08:00

Hope next year is better for all of us than this year was.

Hottest Celebrity Men of 2011

2011-12-30T10:59:00.001-08:00

Taylor Lautner

Vin Diesel

And my personal favorite...Ian Somerhalder

Yes, Damon Salvatore gets my vote for hottest male character on tv for 2011...or for as long as his face shows up on tv...lol Damn that man is hot.

How Much Reading Do You Do?

2011-12-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

This time of year is usually crazy for most people and the last thing on their minds is picking up a book and reading it...well for some but not for me. I was able to get in several books this month and the rest of the year and I plan on buying and winning even more books this year...which means more bookshelves..lol

My husband was at his sister’s dog/house sitting for a whole week this month. So I was able to get things done and at the end of the day read a book before bed. I should say I’m a really fast reader and can read a 200 page book in about 2 hours. The one reason I don’t get a lot of reading done is because he is always talking to me, asking me things, pointing things out on the tv, blah blah blah all night long. LOL I usually read early in the morning while he’s still asleep or just tell him to leave me be for a couple of hours..which seems like pulling teeth. Good grief you would think he’d be happy I was quiet for an hour…but nooooo. He talks more than a giddy teen aged girl…and that’s saying something.

Some of my favorite books this year were…Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter, Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole, The Vampire and the Virgin by Kerrelyn Sparks, Hunger Untamed by Pamela Palmer, The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter, Primal Bonds by Jennifer Ashley, Hit List by Laurel K Hamilton, Ecstasy Untamed by Pamela Palmer, Dark Predator by Christine Feehan, and Inferno’s Kiss by Monica Burns.

I know there were more but those are the ones I can see on my bookshelf from this year that I read and are keeping. But then I keep all my books so I am going to need to buy more wall hanging corner bookshelves soon to make room for next years books. lol Hubby said he might have to move out if I keep getting books just so I’ll have room…I told him he didn’t but I would need his dresser drawers soon…LOL

Crazy Family Photos

2011-12-28T02:56:00.000-08:00

Now of course I don't have any crazy family photos and you don't have any crazy family photos but someone does because I found these crazy family photos on the internet. lol Sometimes I'm glad my family is just a little bit crazy and not full on nuts...LOL

Happy After Christmas!

2011-12-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and are happily playing with all the goodies they got. My funny story for the year is I got up Christmas morning and went to go on the computer for a few minutes before things got hectic and all these po ups started popping up on my screen and then I get this message on the bottom that said your computer is infected with a virus and you need to click here to get rid of it. Well, thankfully I am a bit more savvy about these computer viruses these days and was able to figure out that a virus was in my computer. One that Mcafee didn't catch and you know those anti-virus programs don't catch everything. So I ran Malwarebytes...*Thanks goddess for that program* and was able to get rid of the "Win 7 security home* blah blah virus. Buh bye virus..

But while the virus was on my computer it ate some files...yes I am saying it ate some files.., because once I was able to get back online some of my pictures were gone, Paint, adobe, notepad, word pad and other programs weren't even there anymore.

So thankfully we have user accounts set up on this computer and it affected only my user account and I had to send myself an email with all my favorites, send all my pictures I had left to Photobucket and delete my user account and make a new one. What a total pain in the back side.

But thankfully it worked and my computer is now working again. All I can say is always store your photos on an external site. I found that out the hard way a few years ago when I lost a whole computer full of photos when my computer stopped working and I wasn't able to get to the pictures on it. I always store a copy of every picture I take on photobucket now.

I had a good Christmas. I got 3 gift cards and went to shopping on Amazon right away. My goodies should be here in the next few days.

So what about you all? What goodies did you get?

It's been 6 months

2011-12-23T20:11:00.000-08:00

It's been 6 months since my mom passed away and I'm still not completely over her passing. It's still hard to believe that I can't just pick up the phone and call her. But instead of being down, depressed and crying about today...I would much rather remember my mom like in these pictures...happy and with family. She came over for my daughter's birthday 6 months ago just 2 days before she passed away. And my brother took her to the Redondo Beach Pier so she could see the ocean again, which she really had been wanting to do.

So here's to my mom. May her memory live on through all who knew her.

Happy Yule

2011-12-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday. Blessed Be.

Not You're Grandma's Christmas Movie

2011-12-22T12:31:00.000-08:00

I thought I would talk about a movie that most people don't watch around this time of year, and if you do watch it...you are probably as weird as I am....LOL

The movie being Santa’s Slay (2005)- Santa Claus is actually a demon *The devils son* who lost a bet with an Angel and was forced to play the fun loving, gift giving, belly laughing Santa for 1000 years. And Now that the bet is off, he's not a happy camper and takes it out on the innocent Christmas loving families. With the terms of his bet off, Santa begins a murderous rampage, killing a cast of surprisingly recognizable names in increasingly festive, Christmas-related ways (such as drowning by eggnog). His victims include the likes of James Caan, Fran Drescher, Saul Rubinek and Robert Culp. Merry Christmas indeed.

It's Almost that Time Again

2011-12-21T07:12:00.000-08:00

So do you have your shopping done? Are all the presents wrapped? The tree up and ready for the big day? How many people are coming over?

My answers are yes, yes, yes, and 2 people besides myself, hubby and my daughter are going to be here for Christmas dinner. My dad and step mother have decided to stay home because he's not feeling well and has been having leg cramps and just isn't up to company right now. My younger brother is coming into town on the 28th I believe and he's going to bring dad our presents that day. I'm making ham and probably mashed potatoes, gravy, some sort of vegetable, I don't know what one yet...we haven't done Christmas dinner shopping yet...lol

I'm making some brownies to exchange with my brother when he comes over...I think he's making me pumpkin pie.

So what are all of you people doing?

The Tacky Christmas Sweater

2011-12-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

I've got one, you probably have one...you probably have bought one for a loved one at some point in your life. well, stop the madness! This tacky clothing item has got to stop...they look ridiculous and most times are itchy and uncomfortable.

Don't do this to a loved one.

Ugly Christmas Tree's

2011-12-17T08:48:00.001-08:00

Some people love to try and do things differently when it comes to christmas tree's. Take for instance the beer bottle christmas tree...On second thought don't...stop doing that!

Oh and look at that Barbie christmas tree...reminds me of a horror movie..a severed barbie head on a tree...and are those rabbit feet ornaments? omg I hope no kids have seen that, poor dear's will be scarred for life. Or they will grow up think this is what a christmas tree should look like and propagate this idiocy.

Stocking stuffers

2011-12-15T23:28:00.001-08:00

I just got done buying stocking stuffers for 5 stockings today. I probably wouldn't get any of the things shown in the pictures..lol But I did pick up some candy and plushies in the shape of M&M's with mini M&M's in them. There's also a couple of small presents in the stockings.

Christmas decorations

2011-12-14T10:12:00.000-08:00

I found these strangely cute christmas earrings on a site and it made me think about some of the weird decorations we all have for the house around this time of year. I know I have a few strange decorations like my Star Trek shuttle craft that you can hear Spock say, "Live long and prosper." when you push the button.

I also have a strange little mouse I made out of a pine cone and some christmas tree's I made from pine cones. But I think the weirdest thing I have as a decoration is the angel I made from safety pins and plastic beads. lol

Pejazzling

2011-12-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

This is not for the faint of heart. It's also kinda x rated...lol
Pejazzled penis Don't click on the link if you are offended by blinged out male genetalia. lol

"Now you can treat your penis like it’s the diamond encrusted totem pole you’ve always known it to be, and don’t even get me started on those disco balls of yours."

I found this entirely too funny.

Photo Bomb Christmas

2011-12-12T05:59:00.001-08:00

I'm still trying to figure out if this is a Photo Bomb or a creepy Santa picture. lol

My Amazon.com Wish List

2011-12-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you can share you amazon wish list if you make it public so others can find you? If you do this people who might want to can then pick things off your wish list to send to you either anonymously or with a note. I've sent gifts this way to my sister for her birthday and to a few friends around their birthdays as well as the other day for christmas. I think it's a great way to make sur ethe person you are getting a gift for actually gets something they wanted and it's a great way to do something nice for someone when they don't know they will be getting it.

So I thought I would also share my Amazon.com wish list in case someone wants to do the same for me and send me a gift. lol Hey, it's almost christmas and who doesn't love gifts, right? lol

My Amazon.com Wish List.

if you have one you should share it on your blog and see what hapenns as well.

My Weekly Wrap up

2011-12-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

This week has been a stressful one for me but also full of good news as well. Yes, for once I have good news as well as the bad to share.

My younger brother has been having some bad stomach pains for the past month so when he went to the doctor they scheduled some tests and today when he got some of the results he was told he had several ulcers as well as a stomache nodule that they are going to do a biopsy on. But the doctor doesn't think it's anything to worry about, which is good news.

I got a letter in the mail from the state telling me that I owed them $1700.00 from my deceased mother's estate.

I looked at it and read it several times before getting incredibly pissed off.

What it was: My mother was on disability and she got medicaid which paid for her doctor visits and medications. Well they wanted to try and recoup as much of the money that had been pain by medicaid from any money, property ect left in my mothers estate after she passed away.

There was $1700.00 in my mothers bank account when she passed away and they wanted it back. Now granted half of that was spent to get family here on a plane for the funeral, the funeral itself and the rest was halved between me and my brothers.

I was freaking out thinking I was going to have to make some sort of payment arrangements to pay this money to the state but the good news is, after calling the woman and answering a few questions...she told me that I wasn't going to be liable for the money being paid back and I just had to send her a few completed forms filled out and that would be done with.

I still don't understand how they are going to come after the family 6 months after someone has passed away and the money is gone, it's crazy.

Other good news for me this week is...I won 10 books this week. Count them 10! I just received 4 of them and am waiting for the others. It's been a good book week for me. lol

I have 2 other books coming that i pre ordered a few months ago with an amazon gift card that I won...so that's 2 more free books to dd to the count for this week...and I also won a $10.00 Amazon gift card from a blog contest as well as cashed in my swagbucks points for some Amazon gift cards...With all those gift cards I bought myself a pretty sterling silver and black onyx ring and bought a friend of mine a dvd from her Amazon wish list and sent it to her since she has her wish list set to public and people can see it and send her things off it. I love that feature..she doesn't even know anything is coming until it gets there. I figure I had a good week, may as well make someone else happy too.

Merry soon to be Christmas

2011-12-08T10:48:00.001-08:00

Magickal Graphics

2011-12-08T10:40:00.001-08:00

Magickal Graphics

Scary Frosty

2011-12-08T07:21:00.001-08:00

A while back I did a post with scary santa, well I can't leave scary frosty out, so here he is. :P

White Coca Cola Cans Too Confusing For Some Folks?

2011-12-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

If you've watched the news, read a newspaper, seen the front page of yahoo news or been online at all...then you've probably heard the news that some drinkers of coca cola didn't like the new white cans because they said 1) it was too confusing to try and figure out if it was diet or not, even though the silver diet cans have not changed they are still silver and these Christmas one's were white..

2) Coca cola drinkers said they were sure the coke in the white cans tasted differenly than what they are used to drinking. Yeah they actually said because it was in white cans...it tasted different.

Good grief! Are people really this ridiculous? Too much of an idiot to tell the difference between a silver can and a while can with the Christmas Polar Bears on it? Really? So the coca Cola company gave in are are not going to manufacture anymore white cans because of all the idiots out there that maybe should go back to school and learn white from silver so they can decipher the different cans from one another.

Let's dress Up Our Animals For Christmas

2011-12-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

If you've been visiting my blog for any time you know I don't advocate dressing up your animals for the holidays because most times they really don't look too happy about it. Now Some pets will happily get dressed in some frilly little outfits, but I'm betting most of these animals are plotting their owners demise as the picture was being taken.

Christmas Candy

2011-12-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

If you are like me you probably have a few candy dished out for the holidays filled with holiday themed candy, whatever the holiday might be. I usually do and Christmas is no exception. But of course I found a few candies that I probably won't be putting in my candy dishes either because they just aren't all that good...or because they are out right gross.

I will say that the bag of coal candy is probably a good present to give kids that have been on the naughty list...LOL

But I think I will be passing on the Reindeer that poo's out the candy. The pooping reindeer candy dispenser is for someone who has a better sense of humor than I do..lol

Oh and before you ask...yes that is a sack of chocolate poo. I believe it is suppose to be a surprise that Rudolph left for you. I'll pass...lol

Gingerbread Houses

2011-12-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

Some Giveaways are Becoming Too Complicated to Enter

2011-12-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Therefore, I have stopped following a whole bunch of blogs because they are making their required entries just a bit too ridiculous. I don't require anyone to follow my blog, if you want to fine, if not that's fine too. When I first started entering blog contests and giveaways the entry was easy..just make a comment on the post.

Then it was follow their blog through gfc, make a blog comment, then rafflecopter and the amount of different things they want you do to on those forms is sometimes ridiculous. I've seen rafflecopter forms with 20 different blogs on them and they want you to follow all of them on fb, twitter and gfc. I won't do it unless I actually like what's on your blog and want to get updates but more likely than not, I don't.

Now because GFC is going away for those not on blogger...blogs are wanting you to follow them through Google+. I don't have Google plus and If I see that's going to be a required entry for giveaways...I deleted them from the blogs I follow and won't be going back.

I liked it a lot better when all we had to do was make a blog comment. All these other forms have gotten out of hand.

Christmas Cakes

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

since I scared some of you with those scary Santas in my last post...lol I thought I would cool things down with some wicked cool Christmas Cakes.

Not Your Grandma's Santa

2011-11-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

Funny Christmas letters

2011-11-29T05:55:00.001-08:00

My ratty boys

2011-11-26T22:26:00.000-08:00

My daughter snapped this picture after the boys had their turkey dinner on thanksgiving. That's right, they had a little turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing right along with us. Looks like the Tryptophan got to them as much as it gets to all of us. lol I finally have a picture with all 4 of my little cuddlers in it.

What to Get..what to get..

2011-11-26T14:29:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of surveys for points that I can turn into Amazon gift cards and just cashed in a few and now have $50.00 to spend on Amazon.com...but what to get?

My wish list is over run with books, I put books in my wish list all the time. I have pages upon pages of books to buy and since these gift cards are pretty much free just for answering some questions I feel like I am getting books for free most of the time. But I just got an email that I will be getting another gift card for $25 for being picked to test a product for the next 6 weeks. I'm not allowed to say what the product is but it's something most people use everyday. :)So I am thinking I should save that money and wait until I have all my gift cards and then make a large purchase. Hmmm, what to get.

The last purchase I made with my gift cards was for more toys for the rat cage and some chew sticks for them, some of which they liked and some of which they ignored. I ended up giving the small rawhide bones I bought for th rats to my dad for his dog. lol I'm better off just putting a cardboard box in their cage and letting them tear that up instead of spending money on chew toys they won't even sniff.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

So tomorrow is the big day and I;m sure I'll be busy cooking so I'll say Happy Thanksgiving today. Hope you all have a great day. My dad and step mother are coming over tomorrow and of course me daughter and hubby will be here.

I'm making the Turkey, not anything weird like the Tacos I did one year and no one will let me forget. lol We'll be having mashed potatoes and gravy, Yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing, biscuits, black olives, deviled eggs, and for desert and Pepperidge Farm chocolate cake.

Whatever you are having, take the time to smile and have fun with whoever you are with this day. I will be thinking of my mom who passed away this past June as well as my step mother passed away just two months before my mother. Have fun and appreciate the time you have with your family.

I have a new published article

2011-11-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

If you would like to read my newest published article you can click on this link. How Did a Dog Become Man's Best Friend

I had fun writing this one, I learned something I didn't know about and the speech I quoted in my article was so heart warming it actually brought tears to my eyes the first time I read it.

Vegetarian...not..

2011-11-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

I actually used to be a vegetarian before I met Hubby that is. After meeting Mr. meat and potatoes man it was kinda hard to not eat meat again. That was a long time ago, almost 22 years ago and we will be having turkey this year. I've tried soy nuts, tofu and veggie burgers, because how can I complain about the taste of those things if I don't taste it, right? Well, let me tell you, I don't care what anyone says that stuff is horrid. yeck.

My Hope For Next Year

2011-11-21T06:33:00.000-08:00

I can only hope next year is better than this year was. This year really sucked for me. I don't know why I always think because of all the bad things that have happened to me in my life that nothing else bad can happen to me, I've had my fair share, I've lived through hell and come out on the other side singed but otherwise ok and things have to be better form now on, right? But it just doesn't end up that way.

My Year In Review.
Starting in January I had a horrible case of Hives. I have agoraphobia and every time I had to go outside I broke out in hives. It was just ridiculous. I dealt with a bout of depression so bad I didn't think I was going to make it through...I really didn't.

I've had several packages stolen or never delivered because my mail person is too stupid/lazy/ignorant to care that leaving the box or envelope in front of my apartment door without knocking to let me know it is there is an invitation to other people to take it/steal it. Even after I told them, they don't care.

My mother in law passed away in March.

My mom passed away in June. I still can't believe it.

I ended up having to call an ambulance in April because I was having chest pains and a weird heartbeat. I was afraid I was having a heart attack. After 2 days in the hsopital I found out that my heart is fine but I now have an abnormal heartbeat. Most people who have this don't feel it and so it doesn't bother them...I can feel mine when it skips beats so it freaked me out. It's something I'll just have to live with now, there's nothing they can do about it and it won't hurt me but it is really weird.

Ken hopped over a fence and didn't realize that the other side was a long way down and when he fell...he broke his arm in several places and had to have surgery. Thankfully it all went fine and he's all healed now.

My older brother was arrested but after a week in jail the charges were dropped. It's hard watching a family member self destruct and using really lame excuses for the things they do. After my mom died my older brother said he wanted her dog, even though my younger brother had already said he wanted to take her home with him. Younger brother relented and older brother took her home...then he gave her away to someone else because she supposedly wasn't getting along with his other dog..even though he knew younger brother wanted to come and get her. He did this without discussing it with us and I'm still so pissed I can't even see straight. Why he didn't give away his other dog and keep his mother's dog is beyond me. Once again lame excuses for the things people do...

My younger brother got Pneumonia and Bronchitis and ended up in the hospital for a week. My daughter got the flu and was sick for almost 2 weeks. And hubby has been feeling down right bad all year, dealing with an ongoing health problem.

I don't mean to sound whiney but some days I just shake my head and hope the next day is better. Let s hope next year is better for all of us.

My Food Looks Funny The Thanksgiving Edition

2011-11-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

While some of these are pretty self explanatory...some are not...lol

Take this for example. This may look like mashed potatoes and gravy...but it's actually a cupcake.

Ha not my turkey!

Turkey Tips

2011-11-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

I've been watching some cooking dhows for the longest time and I don't know about you but they have some really weird tips for cooking a turkey. Yesterday I saw a guy stuff the inside of the bird with coffee beans. Coffee beans for crying out loud.

I had a friend that used to stuff the turkey with so much garlic is tased like a garlic turkey..it was bad.

Now here are my very easy tips. And I don't brine my turkey either, for me it comes out to salty no matter how much you wash it off and you can't stuff the bird because all that salty brine leaches into the stuffing while cooking.

So here's what I do. I have a baking pan with a lid for my turkey, and you will want to have a lid for the pan because it will dry out of you don't.

Now get some softened butter and under the skin of the breasts, put about 1/2 of butter. Not melted, just softened. It will melt while it cooks and make it juicier.

Put aluminium foil over the wings because they tend to dry out. Rub a mixture (Just a little of each) of salt, pepper, paprika, sage and thyme all over the turkey and brush with melted butter.

Add a little 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the pan and cover. Cook 20 minutes per pound, open cover every 1/2 hour and baste. 15 minutes before it's done, take cover and aluminum foil off the wings and let get brown. use the dripping to make or add to the gravy.

The flu

2011-11-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

The flu feels like you get kicked in the head, the stomach and the back.

I had the flu 2 years ago and it was bad but my doctor said next time I get sick to stay home take over the counter meds and drink plently of fluids. Only come int to see him if it lasts for more than 10 days because there's nothing they will give you or can do for it.

So my daughter has had the flu for the past week and she was really sick. hasn't been able to eat more than applesauce for a week and now that the getting sick and fever is gone, her throat is raw and she is having a hard time eating. Poor thing, at least it is going away.

I'm so glad I didn't get it this time, I hate being sick.

Snuggle Exhilarations® White Lilac and Spring Flowers

2011-11-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

I received my free full bottle sample of snuggle fabric softener from this survey site. It's a legitimate site and they really send you samples of products to try out as long as you follow through and let your friends know about it.

Snuggle Exhilarations® White Lilac and Spring Flowers: Thx Snuggle 4 my free Exhilarations White Lilac and Spring Flowers sample! Like 4 ur chance to win! http://on.fb.me/SnuggleSweeps *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.

Thanksgiving funnies.

2011-11-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

Here are some Thanksgiving funnies for you to enjoy.

10 Animals You Might Not Know

2011-11-15T05:59:00.001-08:00

I know that some new animals and plants have been found in places like New Guinea over the past few years and it was really cool to see the new species of rodents and monkeys that were found. But every once in a while I'll see a picture of an animal that I had no idea existed and I like to share those from time to time.

Star Nosed Mole

Spring Hare

Sea Pig

Okapi

Yeti Crab

Capybara

Bumblebee Bat

Aye Aye

Angora Rabbit

Naked Mole Rat

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

2011-11-15T04:17:00.000-08:00

smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Nellis Air Force Base Air Show

2011-11-13T11:24:00.000-08:00

My hubby (red head), my brother and his wife all went to the air show yesterday at Nellis Air Force base. Here's a few of the pictures.

My hubby and sister in law at the air show.

My brother standing in front of a plane.

My brother and sister in law at the air show.

Mike Tyson Impersonating Herman Cain

2011-11-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of the funniest things I've seen yet.

My Morning

2011-11-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share with you what happened during my morning today...such as it is. I knew as soon as I got up and came into the living room where my rats cage is that they needed a cleaning. They tore up their new bed...little bits of stuffing looked like it exploded all over the cage and they tore the top blanket off and pee'd everywhere up there. ewww stinky.

So I moved the cage over *It's on wheels Wheeee* and that's when I saw it...they had also dumped the food bowl out on the side of the cage and little bits of this and that rat food was spread all over the floor. Good grief they are messy little brats.

So I took out the rats *except for Ares and brodie who choose to cower in their beds on the top shelf* they only like coming out for a few seconds at a time and being able to jump right back in their cage. Jasper and Hades love being out.

I took all the baby blankets an fleece from the cage and put it in bags to wash later and wiped the whole cage down. Now I think my largest rat, Jasper has taken up stalking me when I'm not looking. Because I turn around to make sure they are fine on the couch and he is hanging on to the side of the cage and trying to climb on top on the cage to come over and stare at me while I clean. Being the good rat momma I am and not wanting him to go splat on the floor, I pick him up put him back on the couch and move the cage over so he can't get back on it. But he comes over to the side of the couch and looks anyway. Then gives me the "Well that wasn't nice" look.

Anyway I finally get all the clean fleece in the cage, put the baby blankets on the cage and fill the food bowl up and I see that Ares is inside the new bed and shredding the fluff stuffing. lol Well, I guess it won't be long before that's in the garbage, but for now it's holding together and since they like to sleep in it I'll leave it in there. Good thing I kept the big plastic igloo...I have a feeling I'll be puting that back in there pretty soon.

Have You Ever Seen Anything Cuter?

2011-11-09T04:32:00.000-08:00

I found some of the cutest rat pictures on the internet and wanted to share them. There are a whole bunch more and I'll be posting more in the weeks to come. But here's a small taste.

I'm such a softy when it comes to rats, hamsters and other small rodents. I'm always a little sad when I hear someone say they are scared of rats and hamsters. Rats? hamsters? Really? They are balls of cute, wrapped in fur...how can anyone be scared of them?

Chance for a $25.00 gift card

2011-11-08T17:08:00.000-08:00

Shop Small on Small Business Saturday, November 26th, a day dedicated to supporting the small businesses that fuel local economies and invigorate our communities. If millions of Americans Shop Small it could be huge.

You'll join other Vocalpoint members and shoppers nationwide when you pledge to Shop Small on Nov. 26th—and enter for a chance to win a $25 American Express® Shop Small Gift Card!* Tell your fans to pledge to Shop Small and share this giveaway. Just copy this link into your browser and sign up for Vocal Point if your not allready a member...

vocalpoint.com/SmallBizSat

Old Pictures

2011-11-07T07:02:00.001-08:00

My older sister found a picture of our grandparents holding my dad and my aunt when they were really young.

I love finding old pictures of family members that I haven't seen before. But when I showed this to my dad he was completely surprised by it because he'd never seen it either. My sister found it in her things and when my mom passed away this past June, I inherited her photos and have been going through them all.

Ever since I was 12 years old, I have been collecting the family's photo albums. It started with just one...and then there were 2 and 3 and 10. When I had my daughter we took countless pictures of her and us and I ended up with more than 20 full size photo albums full of pictures. Now that my mom passed away and I now have all of her pictures, I had to buy 2 more huge photo albums and I still need at least two more to be able to fit all the pictures into them.

But as I was going through the pictures I noticed I didn't know who some of the people in the pictures were. There are a lot of black and white pictures of people I don't recognize. So because my daughter wants to inherit all these photo albums when I pass on, I started writing the names of every one in the pictures on the back of all the photos who I know they are. That way my daughter will know who they are and how they are related to her.

How I Get Free Stuff...

2011-11-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

*I thought I would share this post again for those of you that didn't see it the last time I posted it.*

I tell my friends and family all the time how I get free things coming to me and some of them have tried it and they don't have the same results that I have. So I am going to tell you the websites that I belong to in order to get free stuff and maybe you'll be able to get free stuff too.

Swagbucks Sign up here and search like you would on Google or yahoo to earn swagbucks periodically. Turn in those swagbucks for Amazon.com gift cards or other merchadise.

Inbox dollars sign up with Inbox Dollars and click on the emails they send you and shop with them for points that you can turn into real money. This one takes more time to do but in the past 2 years I have gotten $120.00 from them.

The Tasters This is from Nescafe tasters choice coffee. Sign up and if they pick you to be a taster, you will get free samples of coffee to host Coffee parties with. Take pictures of your party and submit them for points that you can then use to buy gifts cards like Amazon.com. They also have a bunch of other surveys and activities for you to do that will also give you points that you can turn in for Gift cards.

Free Grabber This is where you will find a bunch of free samples to sign up for.

Free Silver Jewelry On this page they show you a few pieces of pretty silver jewelry that you can get for free...All you have to do is pay $6.99 for shipping and handling. I have bought earrings, rings and pendants from them and they are really pretty and good quality for the price. I'm wearing one of the rings right now.

Vocal Point Sign up with them, comment on the message board and other topics on teh site and periodically they will send you free samples and coupons for full size free products as well as coupons that you can share with your friends and family. But you have to comment a few times a week on the boards and topics in order to keep the samples coming, but it is well worth the effort. I get samples and coupons all the time.

Actual free Samples A site full of free samples to sign up for.

Hey Its Free A site for great free samples. The guy that writes about the free samples is totally funny too.

Samples FromTarge t Target gives out samples periodically. But they go quickly.

My View This is a survey taking website. You sign up, take the surveys they send you and get points for the ones you qualify for. Then turn them into cash or prizes.

My Survey This is another survey website that you take survey to get points which you can turn into prizes and gift cards.

Harris Poll Another survey website to take survey and earn points that can be cashed in for prizes and gift cards.

Zoompanel Another website that has you take surveys and gives you points for them that you can cash in for prizes or gift cards.

American Consumer Opinion Sign up with them and when they send you surveys that you qualify for, you get money that you can cash out after you have accumulated $5.00

Just Some of the things I have gotten so far this year for free.
Cheryl Dragon T- shirt
1 Pair of EZ Sox
Sample of Purina Smart Blend
4 free business cards from StarBucks
Button- I'm Human
Charisma Carpenter T-shirt
Beneful Dog food sample
Cybdi bands hair tie sample
Crest white strips sample
seattles Best coffee sample
Herbal Essences shampoo sample
Tylenol stress kit
Prilosec OTC sample
Sample of valspar paint and mini roller
Kirkland Brand Antibacterial wipes sample
Tide Stain release 10ct. sample
Sample of Tide Detergent

Coupons for full size freebies
Breve Creme
Nestle Pure life Multi Pack
2 Buitoni Meal packs
2 Hot pocket boxes
2 Boxes of Lean pockets
1 package of Nestle toll house refrigerated cookie dough
2 Bottles of Nestle Juicy juice
1 Stouffer's party size meal
1 Canister of Nestle Tasters Choice coffee

Books I have gotten for free.
I have received over 50 books for free from entering blog contests and giveaways.
Amazon.com gift cards
I have received $90.00 in Amazon.com gift cards from giveaways and contests on blogs and over $500.00 from cashing in the points I had on the different surveys.

Some free samples require you to sign up for them on Facebook and for that reason I have another FB account solely for freebies.

This is not a complete list of the things I have won because I forgot to write some of the things down when they came. But you get the idea. All of these freebies are just in the last 6 months.

Rant: Headless Romance Book Covers

2011-11-05T20:05:00.000-07:00

Let me begin this post in saying my rant of these book covers is in no way against the author of any of these books, I know from having talked with some authors that they have very little if anything to do with the design of their book covers. This is just my opinion/rant of a trend I keep seeing that is driving me nuts.

So here we have a sample of the type of covers I am going to be talking/ranting about. Can you see what I am talking about? They are all headless. There is a torso, but the face and or head is gone. I like the faces to be attached to the torso's I am looking at and therefore this new trend is driving me batshit crazy.

I thinnk this new trend is fairly hard to miss...am I right? Do they have a valid reason for not adding the heads and faces to the torso's? I don't think so, not in my opinion they don't. I am an eye person and a lip person not to mention an arm person. lol I like looking at a man's eyes and lips. So not having a head on the torso of a cover makes it hard for me not to think of said torso being a headless corpse.

I believe that we've come a long way from the creamy bosoms, men's long hair blowing in the wind and floral colors on the front of romance books, but this new trend is irritating me to no end. I want to see a face! For an author to say that she wants us to invision what our hero would look like instead of giving us a face, is a cop out. Why make us imagine what he would look like, pick a cover model and tell us what he looks like. it's much better for me than seeing what looks like a headless corpse on the front of my romance book.

I blame the publishers so I hope I have gotten their attention.

My Babies

2011-11-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my 4 rats. All Males and they are about a year old now. Yes, they are large rats. lol All except for Brodie who is the smallest of the guys.

Here you have Hades, Brodie, Jasper and Ares in the background.

Jasper squinting and Brodie up close.

Ares is sniffing the camera. lol

Hades on his back sleeping. His little feet up in the air. Jasper and Ares are in the bed with him.

Hades sleeping on his bed/pillow.

A Little Thanksgiving Humor

2011-11-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The years just speed by faster and faster with each passing year.

This is Photobomb!

2011-11-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

swagbucks swidget

2011-11-03T13:31:00.001-07:00

Swidget 1.0great free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

My Published Articles

2011-11-01T11:58:00.001-07:00

Hi to all my new followers. :) I love having new followers and to all of those who are reading my blog and not a follower...thank you for visiting me. :)Hopefully I've made you laugh, think or just shake you head at my strange posting and weird pictures. lol I love finding pictures that are a little out there and posting them.

I also wanted to share something about myself that you might not know. I am a Freelance Writer and write article about small animal care for The Yahoo Contributor Network.

You can find my profile here and just scroll down to see what articles I've written. I have more than 200 articles published right now and am always adding more.

If you read any of my articles, I would love to know what you think about them. :)

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T08:07:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween to everyone. Hope you gets lots of candy and watch so many Horror Movies you are to scared to sleep. :)

Happy Day Before Halloween

2011-10-30T11:02:00.001-07:00

Do you have your candy ready? Pumpkins carved? Costumes picked out, and decorations up? Halloween is probably my favorite Holiday. I love all the grisly decorations, the scary slasher movies, the cute and sometimes gruesome costumes and the chocolate!

I like the scary side of things more than the cutsy side of things. What about you? Do you like the cute cartoonish decorations and costumes or do you like the really scary ones.

Our Pumpkin

2011-10-30T04:35:00.000-07:00

Almost Halloween..

2011-10-29T13:48:00.001-07:00

It's Almost Halloween

2011-10-29T06:44:00.001-07:00

Here's a little more Halloween fun. Mostly Halloween costumes for pets because I have no idea how they got these animals to keep these costumes on long enough to take pictures of them. So what are you dressing your pets...erm I mean kids as this year?

Halloween Recipe: Rat Cupcakes

2011-10-27T21:34:00.001-07:00

I found this great rat cupcake recipe online and saved it just for Halloween.

Strawberry Chocolate Rats
12 large strawberries, stems removed
1 cup (6 oz.) chocolate chips
2 tsp shortening
15 chocolate wafer cookies (1 package of Nabisco brand is 40 cookies)
24 sliced almonds
24 slivered almonds
24 red/yellow and 12 brown candy-coated chocolate-covered sunflower seeds

Place chocolate wafer cookies in a food processor fitted with steel blade, and process until cookies are finely ground. Transfer crumbs to a small bowl and set aside.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. Trim a small piece from one side of each strawberry so they can rest horizontally on the paper. Insert 2 sliced almonds -- about 1 inch from pointed end of strawberry and about 1 inch apart -- to make the ears of the rat.

Place chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl, and microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely smooth. Be careful not to burn the chocolate! Stir in the shortening and mix until smooth.

Insert a fork into the large end of a strawberry (Angle the fork upwards into the strawberry so it won't slip off when you're tapping the fork later.). Holding strawberry on the fork over the bowl of melted chocolate, spoon chocolate over strawberry to coat. Allow excess chocolate to drip off, tapping fork lightly. Sprinkle with chocolate wafer cookies crumbs to coat. Tap fork lightly again to remove excess crumbs. While still holding the strawberry up on the fork, add red/yellow candies for the eyes, slivered almonds for the teeth, and brown candies for the nose. Use another fork or spoon to transfer strawberry to prepared cookie sheet. Repeat with the remaining 11 strawberries. If the chocolate starts to solidify as you're working with it, you can microwave it again at 10-second intervals until it softens again. Refrigerate (or freeze at least 5 minutes if you're in a hurry to use them) rats until ready to serve.

Make your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe and let cupcakes cool.

Place a strawberry chocolate rat on top of each cupcake. Insert one end of a 4-inch piece of black licorice into the cupcake directly behind the rat, then insert the other end into the cupcake on one side of the rat for the tail. Lastly and most importantly, enjoy sharing your creepy creations!

Pumpkin Carving

2011-10-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid we carved a few pumpkins and set them out on the front porch with candles in them. But now a days there are pumpkin carving kits, that come with all the knives, spoons, scoops and small carving tools that you will need to make intricate carves into the pumpkin. You can also buy books with paper stencils that you can trace onto a pumpkin and carve your own masterpicee, even if you are like me and draw like a 2 year old.

Sharing smiley 360 Mission

2011-10-26T14:35:00.001-07:00

Sharing Smiley360 Mission: I signed up for Smiley360! http://smiley360.com *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.

Halloween Recipe: Messy Toilet

2011-10-25T07:07:00.001-07:00

If you are decorating for a Halloween party and want to freak your guests out, this is the recipe for you.

Using brownies, this makes one of the most gross recipes for Halloween you'll ever see. Just looking at the photo induces my gag reflex-- very effective. I would suggest only making this for guests with a nice strong stomach.

In the photo, strawberry syrup blood was used. But it looks way more realistic with the peanut butter blood recipe included here. Plus, the peanut butter blood goes great with chocolate! Don't want to make your own blood? Just buy a bottle of cheap strawberry syrup.

If you do use brownies for this recipe, lots of walnuts combine with longer, rectangular slicing (as opposed to squares) will give them a more, well, realistic look.

Ingredients/Supplies:
One brand new, UNUSED training potty/toilet
1 pkg prepared brownies
1 tub prepared chocolate frosting

Peanut Butter Blood:
1/2 C. creamy peanut butter (chunky won't work!)
Light corn syrup, as needed
Red food coloring, as needed
Chocolate syrup, as needed (optional)

Instructions: 1. Thoroughly clean the new training potty with soap and water.

2. Prepare peanut butter "dried blood" by slowly adding corn syrup to peanut butter until you get your desired texture. Add red food coloring until you get a dark blood red. If mixture isn't dark enough, stir in a little chocolate syrup. Set aside.

3. Place brownies in bowl of toilet.

4. With lid opened, "decorate" your toilet with prepared "dried blood" and gobs of chocolate frosting. Dangle a length of toilet paper from one of the gobs of chocolate frosting, if desired.

5. Watch your guests get really disgusted by this gross Halloween recipe.

Adult Version: While this is generally for older party goers anyway, here's an idea for making it even more disgusting... but strictly for adults only. To do this, drape the toilet with a couple of condoms (I don't have to tell you they should be unused!) and drip melted white chocolate on the toilet and condoms in, um... strategic locations. Ick. But funny.

Halloween Costumes That Should Never Have Been

2011-10-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

And for the love of all that's unholy...don't dress up as Dog The Bounty Hunter. If I see him I might have to punch him in the face...lol

Random Pictures

2011-10-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

I usually have folders on my computers to put different pictures into for different occasions. Because I am organized like that. lol But every once in a while I get a picture I find and just can't make up my mind what folder to put it into and it gets put in the random folder file. These are some of those pictures. But now after uploading them....I can see where I should have put them..I mean seriously a scary face would go in the Halloween folder. lol Enjoy them anyway.

Recipe: Bloody Bandaids

2011-10-22T04:27:00.000-07:00

If you want a fun but quick recipe to make and put on your Halloween table how about these?

Just take Graham crackers and break them into the size of bandaids. Then add white frosting to the center as shown and a drop of red gel frosting to the center of the white frosting. Kids will love these.