Old Hollywood & Me

When I was growing up, my mom would listen to the great artists of the past. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughan, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Julie London and so many more. Along with her great taste in music, she introduced me to Old Hollywood actors and actresses. I fell in love with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Gene Kelly's dancing mesmerized me and Judy Garland's voice captivated me. Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" and Debbie Reynolds in "Singin' in the Rain" were certainly among my favorite movies. Of course, my all time favorite has to be "Gone With The Wind". Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable were burned into my brain the very first time I watched that amazing movie. Her stunning beauty was perfection...and her wardrobe was my biggest wish! OH THOSE DRESSES! I knew right then that I was born in the wrong time! ;-)

I was certainly nothing like the teens that grew up around me, and my choices in music and movies proved it. I didn't care though because I knew that I had experienced something that they were unfortunate not to have. That music and those movies taught me more about being a lady and having a strong mind than I think my mother ever knew or intended. I long for those simpler times when dinner was an event, and woman didn't dare go out in their curlers much less their pajamas! Times certainly are different, and all I can do is try to inculcate these classics into my children.

My playlist reveals many of my favorites. Sure, some of them are recent hits, but the majority are hits of the past. So, if you're up to it, take a cruise around my playlist and enjoy! Here's to my mom and all the Old Hollywood greats that have influenced my life and made me...well, me. :-) Incidently, the first song on my playlist is called "Little Brown Jug" by Glenn Miller. It was my Nana's favorite. :-)

A time to think

I realize it's been quite some time since my last post. I have to be quite honest, I don't when my next one after this will be either! I've just found that I was so overloaded with things that I had to let this go for a while so I could think. I should have said something, made some sort of announcement and I apologize.

So, to catch everyone up to speed (if I still have any readers), I've been doing well otherwise and so has my family. :) School is almost out and I'm actually very thankful! I'll be starting a new adventure this coming school year with Beau. I've decided to homeschool him and feel very good about my decision. He's excited too! I did tons of research on the subject and found two great books at the library that were particularly helpful. "The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child" by Linda Dobson and "100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum" by Cathy Duffy. The latter book really helps to determine the right curriculum and approach for your child's learning style and helps you figure out what your educational philosophy is. If anyone is thinking of homeschooling, I highly recommend these as a start!

I started crocheting some hats and other things for next years craft fair and I'm also in the process of designing my entry bonnet for the Woodstock Fair. I'll post pics when I finish. :-) I hope everyone is doing well and is happy!

Who Knew? .. Helpful Home Tips

It's been far too long since my last blog post. I just needed a break! Trying to keep up and catch up with life isn't easy sometimes and gets the best of me. But, here's some helpful home tips that I got in an email. Try them at your own risk! ...Most of them sound pretty good though. :)


Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson Corn Oil in your cat's or dog's ear... massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Kills fleas instantly... Dawn Dishwashing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor: Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?

Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product has never been advertised for this use.

Honey remedy for skin blemishes... cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection... to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure... cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters... to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.

Vinegar to heal bruises... soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... it's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

My Before and After

Over the last 5 years or so, I've lost quite a bit of weight. 75 lbs to be exact. I'm thrilled w/ this of course! I've worked my butt off..literally, and I did it the right way. Sorry to all of you who were hoping for a quick miracle pill or diet. ;) At one time, I too, was in search of that. But, it doesn't exist. The best way is the way your doc and everyone else has said...changing your lifestyle. I lost 50 lbs. of my weight doing Atkins...but after getting pregnant w/ my 4th child I had a huge aversion to anything low carb and so I stopped...and gained back 20 lbs after I gave birth. A few years and baby #5 later, I joined Weight Watchers Online. What a fabulous program! It's the healthy way to go for sure! I lost 33 lbs with WWO and the rest came off w/ a great support group of friends online. I now walk/jog 4 to 5 miles per day 6 days per week and log what I eat every day on thedailyplate.com . I feel healthier than ever. I feel like superwoman!:)

There is one down side to once being over 200 lbs and having 5 children...then losing all that weight. My body, outside of clothing, push up bras, and shapewear, looks like a saggy mess! Excess skin is not pretty my friends and it can't be toned, or exercised away. Considering the gold gravy doesn't flow in my house, I'm assuming I'll have to live with this since plastic surgery isn't free :( I have to keep reminding myself that I feel great and look a whole lot better in (most) clothes, at least, than I use to! So...here's a before and after shot of me. Not the best pic, but it'll do. :

BEFORE: 205 lbs...or more.



AFTER: 136 lbs... WOO HOOO!!!

My week in a nutshell

I realize I haven't posted much in the last week, but I've had sick children and some serious hormonal rage going on! ...you know how it is. When you wake up in the morning after very little sleep because your toddler crawled in bed w/ you in the middle of the night and you think to yourself "it can't possibly be morning yet!". Then, all day, you swear you could throw everything out the window of your second floor just so you don't have to look at the disaster that is before you...the disaster your children make and you tell them to clean up every day. Then, they come downstairs 5 minutes later announcing they're done...but you don't hear them because you're too busy with the baby, making dinner, and saving the world to notice they were only up there long enough to pick up 3 of the 28 things they have strewn across there room. So, this would normally tick any parent off...but when this happens w/ raging hormones, it's NOT pretty! Thankfully, the hormones have settled down and now I'm able to deal with the usual every day malarkey without wanting to drive up the coast!

To Perm or not to Perm...that is the Question!

I know what many of you might say..."perming is soooo out of date". Well, I have to tell you that I'm a firm believer in doing what you like, not what may be "in". This way of thinking, of course, must only be used under the most careful of situations. For instance, if you secretly like black spandex pants and teasing your hair higher than the sky.... you might just want to keep that to yourself. ;-) That being said, my hair is sooo straight and thin. I have a lot of hair, but it's thin. I'm sick of standing in front of the mirror for 25 minutes coaxing volume into it w/ a round brush and a blow dryer! Now, I'm not thinking of tight kinky curls. I would have my hair dresser use her two biggest size rollers. What do you think? Opinions? I really need something different and I promised hubby I would let my hair grow. He loves it when I set my hair in rollers, so I know he would like it curly. I don't know...am I crazy?

Lilly's new specs

As some of you may already know, we found out last month that Lilly is extremely farsighted and needed glasses. This was difficult for me to adjust to. I'm still not sure why, but I suddenly felt this guilt I hadn't felt before. Did I do something wrong when I was pregnant for her? Am I feeding her the right things? This is my baby we're talking about and she's smaller compared to most babies her age (always has been but is growing steadily) and so I'm always concerned about her. Her doctor assured me that it had nothing to do with my mothering and that I should commend myself for noticing the slight crossing she was having in her right eye. Okay...good. Anyway, we went to pick them up today and she looks to darn cute in my opinion! So, without further delay, here she is! ......

...." Can I take them off now mom? "

Crabby Old Woman

Food for thought..

This is for all who have ever had anyone in a nursing home or older parents.....think as you read. When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was believed that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem. It's quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Ireland. The old lady's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the North Ireland Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on her simple, but eloquent poem. And, of course, it's on the Internet www.orderofthewhitelion.com/Poetryetc@/Poetry/Remember.html. And now, this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet:


Crabby Old Woman

What do you see, nurses?
What do you see?
What are you thinking,
When you're looking at me?

A crabby old woman,
Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit,
With faraway eyes.

Who dribbles her food,
And makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice,
"I do wish you'd try!"

Who seems not to notice,
The things that you do,
And forever is losing,
A stocking or shoe.

Who, resisting or not
Let's you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding,
The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse,
You're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am,
As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding,
As I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten,
With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters,
Who love one another.

A young girl of sixteen,
With wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now,
A lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at twenty,
My heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows,
That I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now,
I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide,
And a secure happy home.

A woman of thirty,
My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other,
With ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons,
Have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me,
To see I don't mourn.

At fifty once more,
Babies play round my knee,
Again we know children,
My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me,
My husband is dead,
I look at the future,
I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing,
Young of their own,
And I think of the years,
And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old woman,
And nature is cruel,
'Tis jest to make old age,
Look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles,
Grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone,
Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass,
A young girl still dwells,
And now and again,
My battered heart swells.

I remember the joys,
I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living,
Life over again.

I think of the years,
All too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact,
That nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people,
Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman;
Look closer - see ME!!


Remember this poem when you next meet an older person whom you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within. Remember, too: We will one day be there too!

Handy Man

Many times I'm inspired by music to keep my blog going. So, while perusing http://www.playlist.com/ last week, I came upon a song that fit my hubby to a tee. You see, he's a contractor and has so many talents. He's a mason by trade, but for the past 8 years or so, he's been doing flooring, roofing, maintenance, minor electrical and plumbing, drywall, and landscaping etc. Really anything that needs to be done...and he does it the RIGHT way! His abilities really come in handy at home where we often need to fix something the kids have accidentally destroyed. ;-) My hubby's a fabulous man and I really can't complain. He cleans, will do laundry, and is such a wonderful father. (OH..and he rocks in the hubby department ) ;-) Now I feel like I'm bragging, but I'm flaunting my best asset. :-)

Don't act like you already knew this!

A friend sent me this email and I thought I would pass it on. This has always bugged me and although we now have a wrapper station, it's useful info. :-)



I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself. Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box? You know when you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The darn roll always comes out at the wrong time.



Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, Press here to lock end. Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of aluminum foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up.



I'm sharing this with my friends. I hope I'm not the only person that didn't know about this. LOL ;-)

Mom-brain

Do you ever feel like your mind is so overloaded with things that you swear your intelligence just sort of falls out your ear and plops on the floor in front of the person you don't want to sound like an idiot in front of? Well, this has been me as of late.

Today, I went to pick up my son's glasses at the eye doctor and my mom came along to help. (Thanks again MOM!!) So when we were done, we proceeded to the van where I opened the door for Jack to climb into his seat, then I went around to the passenger side to buckle Lilly in her carseat. Normally, I would buckle Lilly in, then go back around to my side, buckle Jack in, and get in the driver's seat and buckle myself in. Well, this time, after strapping Lilly in, I opened the passenger door, GOT IN THE SEAT, SHUT SAID DOOR and BUCKLED UP. (I drove to the eye doctor in MY van...my mom was the passenger. ) So, it didn't even click right away that I had gotten in the wrong side until I looked over at the empty driver's seat and then out the window at my mom....who was looking at me like I had officially lost it. Go ahead...I give you permission to laugh at me; my mom got a good chuckle out of it. ;-)

After that, I brought my son back to school where upon I met his teacher for the first time. She had been out with a broken foot since the beginning of the school year and so I hadn't gotten the opportunity to meet her yet. I was so happy I was able to introduce myself as Benjamin's mom (he's such a sweetie and all the teachers love him! ). She was incredibly nice and started asking about Ben's glasses. I answered them all of course quite efficiently and promptly...smiling the whole time. Then she says, "Does he have a hard case?". I'm thinking "hard case", like difficult eye situations etc. Not hard eyeglass case! So I start telling her why he needs them and then she asks again.. "but, does he have a hard case?". DOH!! Oh my gosh! I did not just act like a complete moron in front of his teacher! Yes, at times I feel I'm a very flighty woman...and I blame it all on my kids. They took the good parts of my brain and left the irregular parts for myself. Sweet kids I've got huh? ;)

I'm a Woman

To all those fabulous woman out there that feel (and know) they do it all! Scroll on down to my playlist and listen to this song.. "I'm a Woman" :-)

I can wash out 44 pairs of socks and have 'em hangin out on the line
I can starch & iron 2 dozens shirts 'fore you can count from 1 to 9
I can scoop up a great big dipper full of lard from the drippins can
Throw it in the skillet, go out & do my shopping, be back before it melts in the pan

'Cause I'm a woman!
W-O-M-A-N, I'll say it again

I can rub & scrub this old house til it's shinin like a dime
Feed my baby, grease the car, & powder my face at the same time
Get all dressed up, go out and swing til 4 a.m. and then
Lay down at 5, jump up at 6, and start all over again

'Cause I'm a woman!
W-O-M-A-N, I'll say it again

If you come to me sickly you know I'm gonna make you well
If you come to me hexed up you know I'm gonna break the spell
If you come to me hungry you know I'm gonna fill you full of grits
If it's lovin you're likin, I'll kiss you and give you the shiverin' fits

'Cause I'm a woman!
W-O-M-A-N, I'll say it again

I can stretch! a green black dollar bill from here to kindom come!
I can play the numbers pay the bills and still end up with some!
I got a twenty-dollar gold piece says there ain't nothing I can't do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag and I can make a man out of you

'Cause I'm a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I'll say it again
'Cause I'm a woman! W-O-M-A-N, and that's all.

Are You Considerate of Others?

I feel it's necessary, at this time, to bring up an important subject. Sometimes, we feel that we have a right to say or do what we want because it's a "free world". Although, technically, this is true, is it the best course of action? Please consider all of the following paragraphs when you encounter others throughout the day. Whether in our homes, on the street, or while surfing the web, it's important to be considerate of others. No matter your religion, good advice is never out dated.


CONSIDERATION is thoughtful or sympathetic regard for the opinions and actions of others. This is what we are expressing when we speak softly in hallways or when we turn our radios low at night or when we write a thank you note or a letter of condolence. In fact, we are being considerate every time we say "May I?" or "Thank you" or "Please" or "I’m sorry." The truth is that it is so simple to be considerate that many of us express consideration hundreds of times daily without even being aware that we are doing it. Yet so essential and basic is consideration that without it life would be miserable. Each day’s contacts would rub us raw were it not that others show us some consideration.

Another expression of our basic consideration for others is how we act at home. There are persons who put on their best manners for outsiders, but disregard those nearest and dearest to them in the family circle. Many of these people will wipe their shoes clean before entering the neighbor’s house, but never do the same when entering their own house. They will have the best of table manners when away from home, but discard them when at home. They would not think of leaving a messy bathroom at a friend’s house, but at home they are untidy. They force others to clean up after them. Think of the change it would make at home if they were constant and impartial in their consideration. The house would be neater and relations would be by far friendlier. Each would be looking out for the other person’s interests. That is the way it should be, according to the Bible. Paul, the apostle, writes: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person." Again he counsels: Keep "an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others," because love "does not look for its own interests." If such interest is shown at home, then at the dinner table one would not wait for the other to ask for the food to be passed, but would be observant of the others’ needs. The hostess would inquire before serving, appreciating that not all have the same eating habits. Thus consideration makes for a happier, fuller life.—1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:4; 1 Cor. 13:5.

Still other expressions of our basic consideration for others can be seen in the way we conduct ourselves in public. Making a show of oneself is not being considerate of others. Speaking loudly in a crowded elevator or monopolizing a conversation is not only inconsiderate but rude. Smoking in public conveyances or where others cannot get away from you is also very impolite and inconsiderate. Coughing your cold into other people’s faces does not speak very highly of you and your respect for other people. There are other things one might unconsciously do out of force of habit, such as combing one’s hair or cleaning one’s fingernails at the dinner table or removing one’s false teeth in public. But, remember, as to personal habits, it is not considerate to do anything in public that might annoy, embarrass, disgust or inconvenience others.

Good advice for all is to be considerate of the other person’s desire for privacy. The Scriptures state: "Make your foot rare at the house of your fellow man, that he may not have his sufficiency of you and certainly hate you." Do not wear out your welcome by making too frequent visits to the house of your fellow man is the counsel of the proverb.—Prov. 25:17.

Bear in mind that consideration for others is in reality love in action, our showing neighbor love. This being the case, we should be on the lookout for ways to express this quality. We can be considerate of all men by being tactful in our speech and considerate in our actions, thus making life happier for all concerned.

~ Watchtower 12/1/61

Julie!! It's for you!

It's happened. The thing that tells me it's only going to get more interesting. My 8 year old daughter got a phone call from her friend today. She talked on the phone for 45 minutes! I didn't even realize it was happening! Who came in my house and swapped my sweet little girl out w/ another girl that sits in her room and chats on the phone? WHO??? I never liked talking on the phone, so I was just naively assuming my daughter would be the same. Ummm, no. So, now I have to set limits as to how long she can spend on the phone. Ughh, why? Why do children do this sort of thing to their innocent parents. We incubate them, birth them, feed and change them. Help them take their first steps and kiss them when they get boo boos. We laugh with them when they say silly things and share their pride when they learn to use the potty. So many milestones that I looked forward to, and yet I forget all too often about one thing. They're only called "firsts" for a reason. They grow up. They grow up and stop acting like dependent children. This is a good thing, I know. But the phone?? Can't we just skip that part? My daughter is still sweet, despite that cordless contraption. Now, she's just .... sweet in a slightly more independent way. She has a life outside of school, home, and her father and I. HEY!! Wait a minute. This means that one day, I too, will be independent from my children. A trip to the store without car seats, whining, nagging, and belly-aching? Oh yeah...I could get use to this. ;-)

Lilly's first steps!

The other day, our sweet Lilly took her first steps. She's 15 months old, and although most babies start walking before this, she's always taken her time with her milestones. I didn't want to push her. ( I wasn't in any kind of rush to see her waddling around...and getting under my feet and into everything else! ) ;-) Here's some photos I took of her. Please share with me my joy (and a little sorrow) of my last child reaching that very important milestone. Here's Lilly...taking her first steps. :-)











Whooops! Hang on to your britches girl!!

The Birth of Soifua's Bonnet

As many of you know, I'm addicted to a site called Allrecipes.com where I am frequently adding my 2 cents to the recipe exchange. While chatting one day with my AR friends, I found out that Soifua was expecting her first baby girl after having quite a few boys already. I instantly felt as excited for her as I was when I was expecting my first daughter! I remember, when I was pregnant, shopping for girly clothes and buying lots of bonnets for her. I adored them! They're harder to find now, which prompted me to start making them a few years back. So, although being a little unsure if I should ask, I took a deep breath and offered to make her first daughter a bonnet. She accepted! And I felt beyond honored to have a part in welcoming her baby into the world! So, here are some photos I took as I was making the bonnet and the finished product. I hope you enjoy! My bonnets are available for purchase! Please email me for details: LTbonnets07@aol.com (I know, a shameless plug for my business!)

Delicate eyelet and lace trims along with 100% Cotton Fabrics are chosen for her bonnet.

After selecting the fabric and trim, I drape it over my knee to finalize the details before I start making the bonnet.

After pre-washing all materials, including laces, I cut out the pattern. Here is the outside lining, inner lining, and interfacing.

Possibly the most challenging part is the gathering of the crown of the bonnet and pinning to the back. The gathering must be even.

Here is the crown and back sewn together. The same process is repeated for the inner lining .

The first 2 laces are sewn on along w/ the ribbon which was treated to prevent fraying.

Almost done! All trim is finally sewn on as well as the ribbon flowers on top. Next I pin the inner lining to the bonnet and sew in place, turning the bonnet right side out when finished. Sew the opening closed and voila! After ironing, Soifua's bonnet is ready for her baby!

Here is the finished product! I adored making this bonnet and want to thank Soifua for allowing me the pleasure!