And The Winner Is... Me!

Monogirl is tired today... but of course, if you are monogirl, what else could you be but tired?  So imagine if you will as you drag your weary self up to the house after work that you find a package.  A package that you can see from the return address is the much anticipated prize from the Sweethaven Scrapbook Challenge.  Wouldn't that make you feel better if you were Monogirl?  Sure worked for me!  Especially when I discovered my prize package contained A Sweethaven Christmas which is book 3 which is not even released yet!  It comes out Monday.  Which I am guessing is why my brand new much beloved copy says this on the cover....

Now how cool is that.  Proof!  Not for Sale.  Guess its a good thing mine was a gift then.  ha!!  Courtney was even so kind as to sign it for me. 

My other prizes included a Starbucks gift card.. yay!  2 of Courtney's other books, and a variety of fun scrapbooking supplies... you know in case I should ever manage to scrapbook again. 

And OK... are you likely wondering why is Monogirl blogging on date night?  Well again because she is Monogirl date night is taking place at home.  I am currently in charge of cooking the french fries while I wait for my date to arrive home with Bdubbs goodies for dinner and dessert.  We cook french fries because french fries do not reheat well and the restaurant is a good 1/2 hour from home.  Dessert is from the Amish restaurant on Darrel's way home from work.  Hoping it will be something yummy like oh say... chocolate pie.  Chocolate is always a good thing when you are a tired and slightly crabby Monogirl.  I mean it sure couldn't hurt right.  Like I told my Dad when he pulled the Hershey Bar with Almonds out of his chemo care package... that is in there because chocolate makes everything better.  Show of hands if you agree :)

And now my date has arrived.  We plan to enjoy our dinner and watch some movies/tv episodes via Amazon Instant Video which I discovered streams thru our Blu Ray player.  Duh... why didn't I think of that sooner.  Hope you have a great date night too!  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my sister.   I snagged her FB picture.  :)  Isn't she pretty?  It's been a hard day.  My sister had surgery today.  I spent much of the day in waiting rooms praying for her, supporting her, loving her.   Her surgery went well, thank you Lord, but it has still been a stressful time.  One of those times that puts things in perspective and reminds you of what is important, of what things we should be so thankful for, of what things not to take for granted.  Very thankful for my little sister and for her health and recovery today. 

I am also thankful for my brother.  He was in the same hospital today at the same time.  He went to the ER last night with chest pains and was kept overnight for observation and tests.  He had good test results and was released to go home.  Very thankful he is OK and that God took care of him too. 

It's not every day that you find yourself sitting in a hospital with your sister on one floor, your brother downstairs, and your Dad sitting beside you recovering from Chemo and Radiation treatments from this week.  A little scary, a little stressful, a lot overwhelming!  Through all that though, things turned out well.  God was there.  He answered our prayers and he walks through these hard times with us.  He uses them for our good.  I believe that and I am so thankful. 

I am thankful that I am awake and functioning... well sort of... ha.. at this point in the day.  I was exhausted when I got home from the hospital.  I had office work I needed to do.  I got my all important diet Pepsi.  I got my work out.  I got my computer fired up.... and then promptly fell asleep.  I didn't get a thing done this afternoon.  One minute I was ready to work.  The next thing I knew Darrel was home from work.  Is that like passing out?  Felt like it.  I did accomplish some work this evening and I think I can manage to still get done on time.... lets hope. 

Other thankful thoughts would include....

• safe travel to and from the big city on my own today
• chocolate.... that no bake cookie I bought in the hospital cafeteria was a nice companion for the drive home. 
• pink danskos
• my favorite comfy Hilton head t-shirt that my husband bought me
• a stranger telling me our wedding photo (that she saw on my laptop desktop) was pretty
• prayer
• the prayers, love and support of friends and family
• reading
• date night!   Always.
• healing and peace after a difficult time
• pretty Vera totes
• good report at the eye DR this week
• the chicken salad platter from Azura
• the new Unglued study we are doing in Sunday School
• my new Jose' Eber hair dryer
• a husband who has killed 2 spiders and a mouse for me this week.  I. Hate. Mice!
• my pretty pink phone
• perseverance
• Klondike Heath Bars
• Saturday pancakes
• my job
• shelter from all this rain this week
• fall colors that are starting to appear
• our porch swing

I hope you've had lots to be thankful for this week too.  Now... I must go work... or sleep... Is it better to work now and sleep later in the morning or sleep now and work earlier in the morning... remembering of course my non -morning person status.  However monogirl can't seem to handle being much of a night owl these days either... I'm so confused.  Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) Today was go to the Eye DR so she can torture me and dilate my eyes day.  This of course is after they put those fun yellow goopy eye numbing drops in. I do not enjoy having my eyes dilated because it takes for stinkin' ever for them to go back to normal and this is after they tell me they will use the weakest amount of the dilating drops.  Today they told me I could ask for reversal drops.  Good plan!  Cause its no fun trying to work when your eyes are still dilated and everything is blurry all day.  AFTER she put the reversal drops in, then she tells me, "now your eyes might get really red or achy, but don't worry, that's normal."  I'm thinking OK.. maybe you could have told me this before you put the drops in?  Cause I am thinking gee... dilated and blurry or red an achy both fun options that I am thinking aren't going to help me have the productive day I was hoping for. 

2) I tried to be thankful on Thursday but um the first thing I was NOT thankful for was the Internet being down all day!  It went out early afternoon and was still out when I went to bed at like midnight.  We never had these problems with Verizon.  Now that Verizon turned into Frontier?  Not so much a good thing.  It's been going down practically once a week!  The reason?  Generally they either act like its news to them that there is an outage or they tell you someone cut a line somewhere in Timbuktu which just isn't their fault.... Why did Verizon not have all of these problems with all the same lines and all the same equipment in all the same places?  Perhaps another disgruntled customer has it vendetta against Frontier and their lines? 

3) I am now wondering if it was not such a brilliant idea to show you the above close up picture of my eyes because now that I am getting a good look at them?  I am thinking they are looking every bit of their 46 years...

4) Are you a Sweethaven Books lover like me?  Cause if you are I am sure it is not news to you that book 3 comes out on Monday!  Sign me up for that!  And yes.. I already pre-ordered for the Kindle.  I didn't want to disappoint you. 

5) On Thursday night my husband was getting ready for bed and stops and looks at me and says "so do you have a date Friday night?"  I said no.... He asked me to go out with him and said he'd like to take me to Olive Garden.  I've been married to the man for 25 years and I was still sitting there smiling about that an hour later... well OK... 2 days later. 

6) Went out looking for Sophie and Syndey the other night to bring them in for the night... cause then I sleep better knowing my girls are safe.... and what do I find in the garage?  A mouse.  Um I loathe hate and despise mice.  They make me scream.  I can't help myself.  I went to get my husband... and was hoping either him or a cat would show up soon.  We get back to the garage and now I have a husband, a cat and a mouse in there with me.  Guess who killed the mouse?  Of course it wasn't the cat.  She was too busy being impatient for someone to open a can of food.  Darrel smacked it with a shovel.  Where was I?  I would be the one standing outside of the door, peeking in, so I knew when to run if it should decide to head my way.  I hate mice. 

7) Last night Darrel walks over to me with a piece of Watermelon.  I am thinking... must be some yummy watermelon if he is bringing me a bite.  After I trust my husband and eat the watermelon he is offering me he says.... "do you think it tastes funny."  Um seriously?  NOW you are telling me you think it might taste funny?  It wasn't even a little piece either and guess what?  It did taste funny... I told him next time I think the milk is questionable I am pouring him some in his favorite mug and bringing it to him with a smile.  AFTER he has a drink I shall say "do you think the milk tastes funny cause I was a little worried about those chunks I saw...." 

8) If I had been able to be thankful on Thursday as planned... I was also going to be thankful for Washi tape.  Apparently I have a Washi tape addiction because although I have an abundance I still found it quite necessary to order a set of like 16 rolls on HSN's recent scrapping and craft day.  Maybe I just didn't want to be left out and needed to remind myself I am still a scrapper.  On the other hand... now I am wondering if I also need this and um I'm not even sure what one does with this! ha!

9) The Coach purse people have found me and are stalking me via email.  This could be a dangerous thing especially when twice this week I get emails depicting purses at outlet prices with another 30% off.  Who told that I liked that so much the first time? 

10) Remember how excited I was that my husband asked me out?  Did I neglect to mention that after all that... then I didn't even go out?  How sad is that.  Yes date night ended up at home again. Monogirl was down for the count.  Will I ever be the old new Deanna again?

And with that being said..... fatigue is bad today so the bed is calling my name... loudly.  Have a great week!  See you again by Thursday.  Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) This was something that made me smile today.  Well OK... it makes me smile every time I see it.  My pretty pink phone with my favorite picture of Darrel kissing me... or was I kissing him? .... on our 2nd wedding day.  What's not to smile about?  Am I right?

2) Darrel has had a first in his lifetime event.  Sounds momentous right?  Did he climb Mt Everest?  Run a marathon?  Talk more than me on any given day?  Nope.  He read 2 books this year.  In a row.  Not just this year... but over the summer!  Amazing.  See I am the reader in the family.  My husband?  Not so much.  He doesn't hate it or anything, just has never been one to dive into a book.  Until the Hunger Games movie.  After he saw the movie with me and after I had devoured the trilogy and since I got a new Kindle and the old one was up for grabs, he decided he wanted to read the books.  He started with book 2 since he had just seen the movie (and yes... I told him he still needed to Read. The. Book! The movie was good, but still just NOT the same) and not only did he read on the beach, he read while he was waiting for our table at restaurants.  He read on his lunch hour.  He read for no other reason than he wanted to read.  Amazing.  More firsts.  :)  I LOVE being able to share my love of reading and favorite books with my husband!  That is very fun stuff right there.  And yes... now he plans to go back and read book 1. I told him that would happen. 

3) Look what came in the mail today?  I got a new toy!  Yes, I finally caved and ordered the Jose' Eber Infrared Blow Dryer.  I've been on the fence for months.  I didn't so much like the price tag.  But then my current hair dryer started showing signs of death approaching.... I mean I am thinking its not a good sign when it doesn't want to heat up.  Then I thought about my chi flat iron.  Pricey?  Yes.  Much more than the one's available at walmart.  BUT.  Lifetime warranty and it works SO much better.  So maybe this professional quality dryer would be the same way?  Then I find a 15% off coupon code... I had some spending money saved... and viola.  Proud Jose' dryer owner right here.  I considered running for the shower to wash my hair for the 2nd time today just so I could try it out... The reviews I have read say that this dryer cuts drying time in 1/2 and it leaves hair much silkier, like after flat ironing... I hope they are right.  I so don't want to be disappointed. 

4) Did I forget to mention the packaging?  So cool.  If I am going to plunk down a nice chunk of change for a cool new dryer I am especially happy when it comes in a very cool package. 

5) We are out of pumpkin bread.  I am still craving pumpkin bread.  I am not in the mood to bake more pumpkin bread.  Someone... please... send pumpkin bread.  I mean you seriously want to try this recipe anyway right?  Double it and you'll have one for you and one for me. Good plan?  You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming. 

6) Date night.  Monogirl needed to stay home.  Yes again.  It was a good decision.  Tired monogirl gets crabby and should not be turned loose on the public.  She never gets crabby at her husband.... don't ask him about that though.  We ate pizza, pretzels and bread sticks.  We watched Sanctum on the HBO free preview.  We watched some DVR'd episodes of Chopped I think... and there might have been another movie... but I've slept since then and can't remember what it might have been.  It was free preview for HBO and Cinnemax last weekend so we might have watched a movie or 10. 

7) Yes.. so the hair is growing and um I am getting old cause I just needed my glasses just to sign a card.  When did that happen?  But I digress.  I am having a daily do I or don't I grow out the hair battle with myself.  This was today's look.  Just washed and blow dried and brushed/teased a smidgen.... I think I like it but its so different than before when my hair was like taller... I am having a hard time getting used to it and not feeling like I look like someone plastered my hair down to the top of my head.  On the other hand I keep finding all these amazing long layered hairstyles on pinterest and they are sooooo speaking my language.  I could do that. So for the moment we shall continue to try and be patient during the growing out stage and see what comes of it. 

8) We just packaged up a baby gift and got it ready for mailing.  Darrel put it in a heels.com box to ship it.  The receiver is going to get a huge kick out of the fact that I shipped her a baby gift in a shoe box.... Darrel said he thought it was quite fitting.  I am thinking its quite fitting too, especially since this is what was originally in the box... and the baby is a girl and her mom is a shoe lover too.  Makes total sense to me.  

9) I can now be a walking advertisement for my favorite restaurant.  We went to La Carreta for lunch on Sunday... of course.  Although, actually we had missed 2 weeks.  It was yummy. Turned out it was their 4 year anniversary so near the end of our meal the manager walked over to our table and said they were celebrating their anniversary, they appreciated our business and here are 2 t-shirts! (last year they gave us visors)  Love that!  They are a nice teal green kind of color and they were both even the right size.  So of course... I had to wear mine immediately on Monday.  Which of course made me want to head there for lunch all over again.  ha!  Perhaps they had a motive in their t-shirt gift... give her a t-shirt that is a constant reminder of her fav restaurant and she'll eat here even more!

10) Had a very nice treat today.  Got to have lunch with my Mom!  That does not happen often.  We had girl food like salad and chicken salad on croissants but that is OK cause guess what? We are girls. 

Hope your week is going well.  I am still trying to get monogirl to depart... but that is a story for another day.  For now... blessings!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that when we went to the Edinburgh Outlets.... well they had a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory there.  RMCF has these wonderful things called caramel pecan apples.  LOVE them.  Since the closest RMCF is 2+ hours away it is a rare treat, although I have been known to order them and have them shipped on occasion.  They have the perfect tart granny smith apples, the perfect yummy fresh made caramel and OK could there be more pecans on there?  We enjoyed one while shopping and brought 4 home.  There may even still be one I am saving for the perfect moment in the fridge.  Good stuff. 

I am thankful that today was a day off work because it made it much easier to have a sick day.  Yes.  Another one.  As if struggling with mono fatigues and fevers weren't enough fun in itself I had a quite painful gall bladder attack about 5:30 AM, an attack that my poor stomach muscles are still trying to recover from.  So monogirl has kept it pretty quiet today... and to correspond this would make me quite thankful for our fabulous feather bed, my favorite chair and my cozy ugg slippers. 

I am thankful for the hint of fall I am beginning to notice in the air.  OK it might have been in the air before now but I was still having a fit of denial because I was not ready to give up my beloved beach days or summer shoes.  I gave up the beach days.... reluctantly.  The fight is still on to keep the summer shoes.  I did have quite a craving today for my first cup of fall hot chocolate.  I am not a coffee girl... but I love good hot chocolate or hot tea.  Especially this hot chocolate from Ghirardelli.  YUM.  The tragedy?  We were out!  Now how did that happen?  I was saved when I discovered some Starbucks hot chocolate from Christmas still hiding in the pantry.  Really... when using our cocoa latte machine, you can make a pretty good cup of hot chocolate even with the stuff from the grocery store.  OK.. even when its from the grocery store I am picky... I know you are shocked.  From the grocery store, it must be this kind. Now... for hot tea?  One must have the Republic of Tea's British Breakfast.  Fav!

OK yes, I am posting another picture of my purse... two pics in two days.  That isn't overkill right?  It's just a girl loving her new purse.  You understand right?  Cause I am definitely still quite thankful for the new purse and the whole Coach shopping experience.  Very fun.  Must do that again soon.  Well OK... might need to save some funds again so maybe not too soon.  Christmas is coming though.... Wouldn't Christmas shopping at the outlets be fun?  I am thinking a big yes on that one.

I am thankful for some favorite new products like this hairbrush, this hairspray and yes... again... the invisible serum.  Good stuff! Is it just me or is it too funny that I keep thinking the name of the hairspray is "Beyond Stiff" rather than Beyond The Zone Frozen Stiff.  Wee bit of a difference there.  I am also loving a couple of lightweight Eddie Bauer hoodies I got at the outlet center.  I was going to show you online.. but they are no where to be found.  Perhaps that is what clearance means. 

I am thankful I got to make my Dad's birthday cake.  I neglected to get a pre cutting of the cake picture, but you'd rather see all the yummy frosting anyway right?  I was thinking maybe I got to much (homemade) chocolate frosting... but then I realized this would not be possible.  Can one ever have too much frosting or too much chocolate?

I am so thankful for books.  Yes still, and yes of course also thankful for the corresponding Kindle, although I did just finish reading a "real" book and found that quite enjoyable.  I have loved reading since the 1st grade when I was eagerly anticipating that moment when I was going to get to learn to read... and the love has only grown with time.  How can one not love a good book and not be surrounding themselves with stacks (both real and virtual) of the next good book to read?  Did ya'll notice that they introduced like 4 new Kindles this past week?  Why do they always do that within months of me finally deciding to purchase a new model?  Was there a memo I missed?  Regardless... still loving the Kindle. 

Also so thankful for....

• my husband... especially quality focused time with my husband.  He is amazing and I love him completely.  I may be an old married lady after 25 years but I still often, OFTEN think of our early days together all those 28 years ago... and marvel at how God takes a relationship and creates such a bond and depth of intimacy. 
• celebrating my Dad's 69th birthday and that the chemo schedule was such that he was feeling pretty good! 
• the impending Autumn.  You are remember how much I love and adore the fall right?  Time for my favorite pumpkin soap and fall colors and hot chocolate and boots and and and..... Love the fall.
• date night
• that Dansko has a new pink style out.  Don't worry... I'm on it. 
• cooler weather
• pumpkin bread
• dill dip... cause when there is veggies and dip and I am a NON ranch loving girl (I think ranch is Ewwwwwww) I am quite thankful when there is dill dip.... and am also thankful for a Mom who remembers that and buys it for me.
• pjs and ponytails on days when monogirl is tired
• my 25th anniversary wedding ring.  Love it. 
• new boots.  I think.  ha!  The package is sitting across the room and I haven't opened it yet.  It's a monogirl thing.
• good friends!
• scrapping and craft day on HSN today.  It made my self imposed sick day much more fun.  Did you see the HS memory file kits?  How about the WRMK washi tape?  They might have caught my eye. 
• winning the Sweethaven Scrap Challenge
• friends and family that are praying for my Dad
• our willow tree.  Or should I say former willow tree?  It fell over last week... and yes.. it is done for.  Apparently something ate the inside of the trunk and it died.  Sad about that.  I loved the willow tree! 
• bdubbs pretzels
• starting a new Bible Study
• God's patience with me and that he is always teaching me and helping me and guiding me.
• new seasons of our fav shows about to start up again.  Yay!

So glad to be back.  I missed visiting with you.  Thanks for hanging around cause I am very thankful for you too!  Blessings!

She's Baaack....

Yes... the blogging vacation is over.  Did you miss me?  Or am I on your list for not returning when I promised.  I don't seem to be doing much of anything well these days so I am thinking why should returning to blogdom be an exception?  Yes.. the whole monogirl thing.  Not liking her so much today... so lets move on to happier thoughts. 

Happier thoughts?  Hmm perhaps thoughts of a very cool Coach purse!  My very first Coach purse that is.  Should there be some sort of special celebration when one obtains their first Coach purse or is the purchase itself the celebration?  I vote for both.  But then you knew I would.  So lets see... back on Labor Day weekend we decided to try and get out of the house for at least one day since monogirl wasn't up to much more than that.  Our choices?  Holiday World, going to the beach, or going to the Edinburgh Outlets.  Well the weather kind of made up our mind for Holiday World.  We were most wanting to go to the Water Park and it was a cloudy rainy kind of weekend for the most part due to the remains of Hurricane Issac.  Was its name Issac?  How soon I forget apparently.  We didn't want to go to the lake, even if the weather was better because there was a death from swimming in a nearby lake recently.  Some kind of parasite in the water got into a man thru water in his nose and he died from it.  They said it had to do with the drought because of the water levels being so low and stagnant.  Scary stuff!  So... third choice?  The outlets... and yes I was excited about this because I did want to check out the Coach outlet.  LOVED the Coach Outlet. It was one of the first stores we visited and after I made my purchase I could have gone home for the day a happy girl.  I had a pink one in my hand.  I had a shiny black one in my hand.  There was even a golden champagne leather one.  But this one... classic shape/style, black smooth letter... it was the one calling my name the most for some reason.  They had scarves tied on several of their purses, which I loved, so of course I needed a pretty silk scarf too.  Got a great deal!  Purse was marked down to outlet prices and then there was a sale with another 30% off!  Sold!  And so now.... I may seriously be converted over to the Coach side.  I know... you saw that coming didn't you. 

The same day as the outlet trip we hit Red Lobster for the much anticipated Endless Shrimp.  It was so fabulous.  Well mostly.  Our waiter started out pretty good but by like the 2nd or 3rd reorder of shrimp he kept coming back and asking us what we had ordered because he had gotten side tracked and had forgotten.  Then he came and told us he had put in the wrong thing but he was bringing it anyway because basically he didn't want his manager to know... Really?  You goofed and now you are telling us you are bringing it whether we liked it or wanted it or not?  Know what he did then? He forgot he had told us that and took it to the table across from us and totally goofed up their order.  Repeatedly he'd ask what we had ordered and my tired impatient self was struggling mightily to not point out to him that gee there is this thing that some waiters do that might help him called um writing the order down! What a concept huh?  He kind of put a damper on the evening having to constantly deal with him but the food and the company were excellent. 

Normally I am not a Pumpkin Bread kind of girl but this year?  I've been craving it.  What is up with that?  Perhaps it cures mono... ha!  I found this recipe on Pinterest... where else... and decided to give it a try. OK YUM.  This is some good bread!  Moist and great flavor.  The picture here is actually the 2nd double batch I made in as many weeks.  2 loaves for Darrel and I, one for my Dad for his birthday, one for Sunday School class.  Sounds fair to me. I also made my Dad the Banana Bread.  He starts radiation treatments, today actually, and his taste could be affected so I wanted him to have lots of yummy stuff to enjoy now. 

What else has happened in September... or since I visited with you last?  Well.. I read this book.  It was very good.  That book mentioned this book by Julie Andrews Edwards.  Yes, that would be Julie Andrews as in Maria from The Sound of Music.  How come I never knew she was an author?  Her book Mandy was a favorite book of the little girl in the book Words.  That made me curious about the book Mandy so even though its a young readers book, I ordered myself a copy and just finished reading it today!  Loved it!  Reminded me of my early reading days when my favs were books like Mrs Piggle Wiggle,  Harriet the Spy and Charlotte's Web.  If you haven't read them you should totally read Mandy and Words.  Good stuff! Have I mentioned how much I love books? 

I got to see this very cool picture of our nephew.  He is a Senior this year and just turned 18 last week.  How is this possible? He is a pretty great guy and I am pretty proud to be his Aunt. 

We have spent the last couple of date nights at home.  Yes Monogirl strikes again.  Just been too tired to go out by the time Friday evening rolls around.  We have watched some good movies like the Bourne Identity movies and Battleship... was surprised how much we liked that one!  We had lots of yummy food like our favorite pizza and even La Carreta carry out!  How's that for a date night treat? 

I have tried to maintain my resolve to grow out my hair... and not run screaming to the hair dresser to chop it off on days when its driving me a little nuts.  I did find that I love Nexxus Therappe shampoo and the Humectress conditioner and that made me a wee bit happier on the hair growing out idea. 

I almost forgot!!  I was a winner in the Sweethaven Scrapbook Challenge!  Check it out!! I received 2nd place.  There were 3 winners and several prizes that she said she was dividing up between us so I am not sure what I won yet.  I was just thrilled to be picked!  yay me!!

We got together with family to celebrate my Dad's 69th birthday as well as Cole's 18th birthday.  I had the fun task of making the official birthday cake for Dad.  We got the candles all lit and started to sing... and Dad blew out all the candles before we finished the first Happy Birthday.  Patience is not a family trait. ha! 

I found this cool idea for a Chemo care package on Pinterest.  Since Dad is going thru Chemo and Radiation right now, I put together one of these for him to hopefully help him thru round 3of Chemo.  Loved this idea so much.  The blog with the idea mentioned they do them for people in their church also.  Loved that idea too and presented it to the other staff at my church on Monday.  They liked it so we hope to put some of these together to give out to people going thru chemo when the need arises. 

And there you have it... A day in the life of Monogirl in September.  Tune in tomorrow for Thankful Thursday.  I promise to show up.  :)  Blessings!

May I Be Excused?

So I figured I should stop in and say nope... I have not disappeared.  I did not forgot about the ol' blog here.  I did not forgot you!  I've just had a rough couple of weeks with not feeling so great. This week has been better, but still dragging.  Just have not been up to blogging or in a blogging kind of mood even though I have cool stuff to tell you about like my very first Coach purse!  Going to take a wee bit of a break for the next few days and be back with you this weekend to get you all caught up!  So please tune in then so you can see a picture of my new love... my purse... and I'll tell you all about our visit to Red Lobster for Endless Shrimp and the waiter who was getting on my last nerve..... no that was not a good thing.  I promise I didn't hurt him.  I considered it though.... How's that for a bit of a teaser?  See you this weekend.  :)  Blessings!