A guest posting today - Making Connections

I am not here. I am in South Dakota visiting my oldest bro. He has a new bar and wanted my other brother and I to visit for the night. We will maybe be gone 18 hrs, but I am happy to go. So, I have a guest blogger today

A guest post from 25 by 35 . Show her some love.

vi.sualize.us

I have a new Pen Pal and I met her through our blogs. She has a blog about motherhood – though it’s not exactly a mommy-blog, it’s more of the identity-crisis variety, which is perhaps why I was drawn to her.

My blog is about losing 25 pounds by my 35^th birthday, but I have had several blogs over the years and this particular person is the only person I know who is aware of all of them and has read them. So in a sense she knows me pretty well, all the facets of me. She swears she isn’t as complicated or complex as I am; I would disagree.

But there is something about putting pen to paper, creating ink words on a pretty piece of stationery, choosing to scribble or using your best handwriting and sealing the envelope with your very own saliva. It is something infinitely more personal than blogging, even though the subject matter is significantly less personal. What you choose to put on the two pages is telling, and the letter is touched by your hands, your eyes, your mouth and your soul.

Whereas blogging is diarrhea of the keyboard, a letter is special. It is an isolated event and it is a part of you that you give away. After it is sent, there are no edits, no second chances to re-read what you wrote, no looking back.

With blogging, you know people are reading but you don’t really know who. Even your commenters are cartoon characters; imaginary friends. But when I send my letters to Kate, I know that there will be a moment, whether it happens when she checks the mailbox or when her husband hands her a small stack of things addressed to her, that she will see that I was thinking only of her while I wrote this letter. Maybe it will give her the small jolt of electricity her letters give me; maybe I make too much of it all.

How this happened I can’t exactly say. She blogged about being lonely, or was it bored? I asked for her address. Yes, I think that’s how the story goes. So I sent her a letter.

I half expected that to be the end of it, but a week later, I checked my mail and there she was. Much more feminine and composed than she has ever laid claim to in her blog. A pretty piece of cream-colored paper with the silhouette of a lady walking her dog embossed at the top.

Blogging has been my salvation and my Achilles’ heel, the thing that sustains me and controls me. I love to write, I need to be heard, and so blogging is, in the end, a good thing.

But my Pen Pal is a new twist on the never-ending ways I seek connection with real, live people and I begin to wonder if one Pen Pal will ever be enough. I feel as though I could write letters all day, send them into the world and dream of a speedy reply.

I have a favorite child... ok, not really... well sorta.......

Hey, Just Jules here. Shelle presented this question to me- Do you believe that you have a stronger bond with one of your children ? More so than the others...

My take:
I chose this topic simply because we have a larger pool of children to observe these sort of behaviors then some of you do. Out of our four children I see unique relationships between us and them and even between them as siblings..

To read the rest of this just click on the RWVM button up there.

OompaLoompas and Lizard People

I own/manage a woman's fitness spa and recently had the opportunity to attend a tanning expo. While I am not an avid tanner, I do sell tanning packages and products at our club and was interested in checking out the new products and possibly winning the grand door prize (a new tanning bed). This was my worst nightmare. I walked in all my Casper (the friendly ghost) like glory into a room of oompah loompahs,

lizard/human mutants and Malibu barbies.

The day started with the opening of the discontinued/overstock room. All sorts of fabulous lotions at shockingly low prices. All of these tanners, men and women alike, jostling each other trying to grab up what they can like a day after Thanksgiving sale. It felt like I had stepped into an awful Sci Fi movie.

The day then moved onto the actual expo part where the vendor booths were set up in one half of a large room which was divided into two rooms with a large curtain. In the other half was the lunch/speaker section of the room. Of course since it was a tanning expo they had free tanning available. It wasn't long before the stench of cooking flesh started filling the air - which was extremely appealing while I was attempting to eat my lunch (which was shared at a table of 2 oompah loompahs, 1 extremely bitchy Malibu barbie, 1 lizard/human mutant and a partridge in a pear tree. Actually no partridge just an older couple who may have wandered into the expo by mistake and were excited snapping up all the free samples they could.

The whole day was an assault to all the senses from the scary sight of the oompah loompahs, the smell of roasting flesh, being bumped and jostled by the lizard/human mutants,

the constant hum of the tanning beds running all day and finally the taste of the bronzing mist from the spray on facial tan I was talked into sampling. I felt slightly like Ross from friends. I stood there waiting for her to spray until I finally ran out of breathe. I opened my mouth to ask if she was going to spray when she pulled the trigger sending a wonderful bronzing mist into my mouth. YUM!

Are They Real??

pic from
Google Image Search

I have the distinct honor to be a guest on Adam's blog Throwing Quarters today. (Ok, I begged...you know me too well).

I am over HERE talking about Real -vs- Artificial.

Go check it out. But, first go down below and see what is peeving me today. Gotta love a good rant.

Bossy today aren't I - sorry.....kinda.

to review- 1) go below and read my bitching, (2)go to Adam's blog and find out if they are real, (3)go about your day.

A Fantasy

Today a new blog friend is joining us. Welcome Marion:

I walk dog in the morning by this really swanky neighborhood near where we live – we’re not in the swanky part, we’re on the edges of the swank. The houses here are just jaw-dropping; they are beautiful old elegant places that are well, enormous.

This morning as I walked by one house, I felt huge green-monster size envy. Not so much about the house, but what was going on in front of the house. At this house, the housekeeper was showing up for work. Wearing a uniform.

A housekeeper. All along the rest of my walk I fantasized about what life would be like if we had a housekeeper.

In my mind, I saw Hazel, the housekeeper from the sixties TV show that I’d watch in reruns. Hazel called her family Mr. B and Mrs. B, and I’d want our housekeeper to call us that, too, though it would be nice if I was Mrs. W-B. She’d be warm and lovely, great with our daughter, and a good listener. Her overall mission though, would be to keep our house in order. Ship shape, immaculate.

With Hazel in our lives, I can see how the day would unfold. I’d come home from my walk, hand Hazel the leash, and then take seat at the dining room table, where I would join my husband and daughter for breakfast. We could have breakfast at the dining room table because the laundry that usually occupies the dining room table would all be folded and put away – thanks, Hazel!

For breakfast, Hazel would set out bowls of steaming oatmeal and refill our coffee – but not too dark, the right balance of milk and coffee, just the way we like it. While we eat, Hazel would share her wise observations on the day’s events. She’d clear the breakfast dishes and they would stay gone - we wouldn’t have to see them again when we return at the end of the day.

Then we’d get dressed in whatever we like because the clothes that have been on holiday at the dry cleaner have now been picked up by Hazel and are hanging – plastic wrap off – in our closet. The laundry that is usually resting in the washing machine getting a moldy smell has completed its full round and has emerged fresh from the dryer. Everyone has two socks that match. Bliss.

Then we’d all go off to work and school while Hazel went to the grocery store, the wine store, the tailor, the vet, the post office, and any other errand I could think of that would be productive but not overwhelming. If we were lucky, perhaps Hazel is dating a butcher the way Alice was in The Brady Bunch. While she flirts, she could get us a nice piece of meat for dinner.

At the end of the day – my new favorite part of the day because of Hazel - I would come home to the smell of a delicious dinner cooking on the stove. Hazel greets me at the door, takes my brief case and hands me a lovely chilled glass of chardonnay. Over cocktails, my husband and I have witty banter ….

…Snap back to reality. I return home from the dog walk to find my husband emptying the dishwasher. I tell him about the housekeeper dream and he grumpily dismisses it, saying we have too much clutter for a housekeeper. We then get in a disagreement about the scope of responsibility of our imaginary housekeeper. My daughter comes out of her room to tell me she has no clean socks. The dog paws at my leg asking to be fed. The day begins.

But someday Hazel. Someday we’ll be together.





Marion Williams-Bennett can be found @Create Joy and Wonder
The original post ran here

Essential Information

Thank you Jules for inviting me to be a guest blogger on Just Jules!

Normally toward the October I'd say to my readers, "we're coming into cold and flu season and it's time to protect yourself from the bacteria and viruses that attack your respiratory system." However, this year is different. Cold and flu season seems to be already afoot. Not only has the H1N1 virus heavily attacked my own community here in central Pennsylvania, but folks seem to be hit with the general crud associated with winter: colds, coughs and snotty flu. Therefore, start right now to protect yourself and your family from invaders.

I've been working with essential oils for nearly 19 years and can honestly say that I rarely fall ill with either cold or flu. I attribute this to a combination of my joie de vivre, frequent hand washing and daily use of essential oils. The use of pure essential oils for health is called Aromatherapy, and it's a safe, natural and proven way to protect and even heal your body from attackers.

Our immune system is consist of a group of cells and organs that act together to defend the body against foreign invaders that may cause disease such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The health of the body is depend on the immune system's ability to recognize and repel or destroy these invading micro-organism. Unfortunately, the current American lifestyle doesn't lend itself to blooming health. We have some of the poorest eating habits on the planet, our environmental pollution is growing and as nation we're overextended and very stressed out. Stress is a major contributor to a weakened immune system and research has shown that depression can seriously deplete one's immunity. If our immune system is weak it cannot fight bacteria or viruses and can lead to allergies and infectious disease.

So what's a body to do? Rest, play more, slow down, eat better, exercise daily, wash your hands often and Use essential oils! Use many and use them often!

List #1: Heavy Hitters.
This is a list of some pretty big guns in the world of aromatherapy. They are powerful antiseptic essential oils that are good warriors against skin and lung infections including staph, strep and pneumonia. Thyme oil alone has been proven as potent as standard antibiotic drugs! They are very irritating to the skin. Please follow the directions for use at the end of this post.
Bay laurel
Cinnamon (Hot. Use with caution)
Clove
Oregano
Hyssop
Thyme ct. thymol (Very harsh oil. Use with caution)

List #2: Middleweights
Good bacteria fighters that are effective but not quite as strong as the warriors in List #1. They are, nevertheless, effective protectors and healers and still need to be used with respect and caution.
Tea Tree
Lemongrass
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Lemon
Helichrysum
Myrtle
Myrrh
Marjoram
Pine
Sage
Niaouli

List #3: The Antivirals
These oils help with viral infections.
Basil
Bay
Bergamot
Eucalyptus
Geranium
Hyssop
Juniper
Spike Lavender
Lemongrass
Lemon
Oregano (use with caution)
Rosemary
Sage
Tea Tree
Thyme ct. linalol

Methods of Use
Room Spray: 10 drops of essential oil to one ounce of water. Shake and spray. Best to use glass bottle. You can find them here.
Chest Rub: Essential oils that have a specific clearing effect are eucalyptus radiata, rosemary and spike lavender. Prepare a blend of 10-20 drops of essential oil in 30ml of vegetable oil such as canola oil and rub on the chest and upper back.
Diffusion: There are many ways to diffuse essential oils into the atmosphere to kill airborn bacteria. I wrote a long, detailed post on the subject here.
Steam Inhalation: Add 3-5 drops of essential oil to a sinkful or bowl of steaming water. Cover your head with a large towel, close your eyes, put your face above the water and inhale deeply.
Direct Application: Only Lavender and Tea Tree can be applied directly to the skin.
Massage: Essential oils should always be diluted in a good quality carrier oil before applying to skin. The normal dilution is about 10-20 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil.
Sauna: To refresh the sauna and to enjoy the therapeutic effects of the essential oil, mix five drops of your chosen essential oil in one cup of water and pour over the hot rocks. Always dilute them in water because they can be flammable.
Pillow One or two drops of an essential oil on a pillowcase or tissue inside the pillow case is a wonderful way to enjoy the soothing and therapeutic effect of the essential oils. Take care not to get the oil in your eyes!

Author's Bio
Liz Fulcher has been using essential oils since 1991 and is Director of Aromatherapy Studies at the Mt. Nittany Institute of Natural Health in State College, PA. She is a massage therapist, teaches art journaling, soulcollage and pretty much spends her day playing. Her blog is www.thefragrantmuse.blogspot.com.

Penn Street

Although Halloween has come and gone, this is a great post, so I chose this one to share from Cyndy my guest today. The blog is all yours dear:

Since living on Penn Street in Millheim, Halloween has become one of my favorite holidays. I have always enjoyed watching our kids get dressed up and be all excited about filling their bags with candy, but it has become so much more fun since moving to Penns Valley. For me it is the sense of community and tradition that walk the street one night a year.

Since we live in a rural area, many families pack up their little monsters and bring them to "town." Many of our homes on Penn Street are no more than inches apart, so for the kids it is an easy way to hit one house after another without expending too much effort, key in getting-candy logistics. We usually have the honor of seeing a couple of hundred ghosts and goblins each year. Our own kids even make their journey down the street really quick so that they can come back to see everyone up close rather than just in passing on the sidewalks.

Since we live in the old Theatre, one of the only properties with a front lawn on this "city" block, we decorate the front yard and porch and sit on the big steps that serve as front row seats to enjoy each of the trick-or-treaters and their families. This year we had tombstones and glowing skeletal hands emerging from the dirt in the planters. We didn't have time to carve pumpkins, so we had a fire in our little patio fireplace, placing it strategically on the side lawn away from flowing vampire capes and princess veils. The kids promenade up the walk like a runway to our stairs to get their treats, and this year we supplied the tricks with a candy dish that had a skeleton hand pop out when you reached into the bowl. It startled so many kids that we had to move the dish down a couple of stairs to prevent anyone from falling when they jumped in surprise!

The piece d'resistance, though, is our popcorn. Every year we schlep the theatre's old popcorn machine out onto the porch and make scores and scores of batches of yummy popcorn. The yellow glow from the lighted top of the machine and the aroma of toasting corn and melting butter fill the air. We originally started this tradition so the parents could have a treat while walking the street, but so many of the kids also choose this salty, crunchy goodie over the candy and will patiently wait until we fill the little bags. The only disappointment is that the bag often fills their little plastic treat buckets! Mom and dad often quickly remedy the problem by offering to "hold" the popcorn, often giving a knowing smile that it won't last the rest of the trek down Penn Street!

With so many people walking around town, everyone often taking a moment to stop and talk, it often makes me think that this must be what it was like when Millheim was in its heyday. No one is rushing by in their minivan to get to soccer practice; they are instead strolling the street and taking their time to meet and greet their neighbors. I didn't see one cell phone last night. Everyone was talking face to face. The kids all take time to really enjoy their hosts. They do not just grab their candy and run, even the teenagers. All would stop and visit for a moment, letting us admire their costumes and to share their excitement. We get to see their families together, sharing a night with a leisurely stroll down an old victorian avenue where the sidewalks lead you from one friendly face to another. For us, it is one night where we can see so many kids of the Valley as they are growing up, knowing that someday they will talk about coming to the Theatre on Halloween just as their parents reminisce about the days that they, too, enjoyed this place when they were little. Howdy Doody costumes may now be replaced with Darth Vader ensembles, but the ritual lives on.

The trick is making the moment last while the treat is a family tradition.

Cyndi can be found @ 110 Penned. (You have to go just for the great blog name!!!)
The original post can be found here

I am two places at once today! Finally!

I am over here today too,
we are talking about romance.

Come put your two cents in.

Don't forget to read my post on this blog too. (It is down there- right below)