To Perfume or not Perfume, that is the question

I have a weird topic today. Well, it isn't so weird, but it is odd. Well, not odd, but not normal. I got to thinking about it today after going into a famous chain sandwhich shoppe and coming out smelling like I had been rolled in stinky parmesan and sent out to dry. Perfume. It was necessary today. Got out the tube and covered my stinky parmesan smelling self which, might i add, how can something that taste so good have such a revolting smell? I didn't even have parmesan on my sandwhich, people! My friend, whom I went to lunch with, agreed we smelled HORRIBLE. Do you have any perfume, she says. Yes, asamatteroffact, I do. I have a tester I was given the other day at Walgreens for free, lets try it.

Now I smell like a stinky cheese person who tried to cover up their natural stinch with perfume. Body odor. How do some people acquire body odor and you feel like it is stuck in there air and if you walk through it you will somehow get it too? Then you are worried everyone else thinks it was you that had the body odor to begin with. I feel like I need to go home and santize myself with wonderful lavender body wash in steaming hot water to wash away my stinkiness. It has me thinking? Are you a perfume fanatic? Do you douse yourself with perfume, because you like it so much you want everyone in the whole store to smell you coming? Or are you a barely ever spritz myself with even the softess of perfumes because it makes you sneeze and get a headache. I wonder.

My mom is a Chanel No. 5 lady. You know she is classy if that is her perfume. If she wears Chanel No. 5 she will probably tell you that is the only perfume she has chosen for years, because it is a classy sent and it isn't too overpowering.

I remember when I wore Red Door. You all know you use to love Red Door by Elizabeth Arden. It is a beautiful smell. But why, when women wear it do they have to spray so much? More like Red door slammed me in my face!

So as I go about the rest of my day smelling like stinky cheese and Curious by Britney Spears (UCK)

I would rather smell like stinky cheese alone.

Wonder if I should try Febreeze.

Broke. Pull out my pockets and only find lint. 35. 35 days until Christmas, people. Thirty-five days. How did it sneak up on us so fast? I am not prepared. Not prepared at all. Now that I am a newly single mother. How in the world am I going to make it this year? I have a plan of action. I can do this. I am going to teach my children the meaning of Christmas without teaching them the meaning of greed at Christmas. Enjoy the little things. Christmas crafts, making Christmas foods. Yes, there will be presents, but not as many. Why? Because that isn't what Christmas is about. We don't need to fill the space under the tree until it is overflowing into other areas of our homes because that is what we think we need to do to make an awesome Christmas. Think about it. Think of last Christmas. What was your favorite part? Was it that pretty handbag you got? Honestly. Mine was watching my son at the Christmas play. Can't even remember what I got, or much of what I got for my children. I remember the happy times we spent playing board games and stuffing ourselves sick.Watching the same Christmas movies every year and working on the Christmas puzzle and listening to our favorite Christmas tunes on the radio. That is what it is about.

There will be some gifts under the tree this year. But the biggest gift this year won't have fancy wrapping or a bow. Just a beautiful glimmer of a memory that will be created and stamped in our childrens minds for years to come. Isn't that more precious than any gift you will purchase this year? The best things in life ARE free. Even at Christmas.

35 days until Christmas? Bring it on.

As if no one else has asked you this question. What are you doing this Thanksgiving? Traveling out of town? Hosting the big event yourself? Hitting the local cafeteria for a Turkey buffet? Staying home and ordering pizza?

My wonderful sister volunteered to have this years feast in their lovely home. She makes the potatoes and that is all I need. Love her potatoes. They are like heaven in pot. No bowl. Just mash em and hand me the pot and serving spoon, sis. Thank you. My nephew is a big help in the kitchen. He eagerly helps her every year help to make side dishes. He is an amazing boy! Not too many 8 almost 9 year olds out there like this one!

She is a natural born hostess. She is very talented. Doesn't get stressed, just sits back and enjoys after she has calmly worked her tail off like a diligent worker bee. I would be madly racing around with a shaggy bun falling out, pulling my burnt on the outside, frozen on the inside turkey out of the oven and tears streaming down my face with a whatdidigetmyselfintomadwoman look on my face.

Thank you sister, for having Thanksgiving this year. Our family is thankful for you!

Pass the mash potatoes, please. AGAIN!

Friends

What would I do without friends? Of course, I say friends. But one of the images I see in my mind when i think of the word kindred spirit is my mother. Best friends. We think alike, talk alike and read each others mind.I am lucky enough to have my sister as a friend. Lives in the same town, its wonderful. My friends are awesome. I can't tell you how they have pulled me up out of sinking sands onto solid land full of promise for tommorrow. Always positive, take myhandwewillgetyouthrough kind of friends. I am so lucky. I have had said friends since I was a little one in elementary school. One of my very closest friends was my childs teacher last year. How lucky was I? Her and I see each other almost every day, go to lunch and talk on the phone, sometimes several times a day. My friends are my constant in my life. Still have the same group of friends, just a lot closer and more like family than friends.

Can you do me a favor? Tell your friends today that you are lucky to have them. That you love them and appreciate them.

Pinky swear that you will always be their friend, just for old time sake.

FALL in love...

I love fall. Love it. Love the chilly mornings. Love the sight of beautifully fall painted leaves falling from the trees as if it is being executed as some type of fall firework spectacular. Only nature inspired.

You wanna know what else I love this time of year? SOUP! I am obsessed with soups. I think my mom and sister are the culprits of my addiction. They know how to make THE BEST soups. What better on a chilly night then to sink into a comfy chair and put a blanket on your lap and enjoy a cup of soup.

What is my favorite soup you ask? Cheeseburger. But don't use the hamburger, use pork sausage instead. LOVE IT. Going home and making it today. It is so wonderful, it not only fills your tummy with it's warm and tasty goodness, it also does something to your soul. It is aww this is good satisfying. Go to the store. Get the ingredients to make it and melt your evening a way with this delicious treasure in a bowl. Do it now.

Enjoy!




1/2 pound ground beef (I like pork sausage better )
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
8 ounces process American cheese, cubed (2 cups)
1-1/2 cups mil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef or sausage; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, potatoes and beef or sausage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in small skillet melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir
3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/4 quarts).

When my thoughts begin to wonder

And my mind begins to ponder

All the things I have heavy on my heart

And should use this blog in part

Another for pride in my writing

Clicking on the new post button is so exciting

One for therapy, ease the load on my shoulders

Many issues I keep in labeled folders

In my mind it's a shuffled mess

It could make any other woman depressed

But I keep on going and in the fog

I think-shouldn't I just use my blog?

I have the resource right here under my fingertips

To type the issues I can't release in my mind or lips

And the support of a blogging community

Plus friends and family

Take a moment, take a break

Time for myself I have to learn to create

Blogging is good therapy,

Better than Dr. Phil or HGTV

So my vow is to try and carve a slot

In my day to day synopsis

To compose my heartfelt feelings

How minor some days they might be

I think it is called Blogging therapy!!!