Ponder This

my little stick tree

I'm just going to come right out and say it.

I know y'all are thinking it.

I do declare this the most depressing blog ever as it applies to Christmas.

Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Chili

Have I posted one delicious Christmas recipe?

No.

from Pinterest - I actually did this with holiday soap from Target!

Have I shared one fabulous decorating idea?

No.

Have I shared any great gift ideas?

Nada.

In fact - stopping by here, you might think I'm anti-Christmas - but you'd be so wrong -

cause my heart is just bursting at the seams with the Spirit of it all.

No baking.

No shopping.

Minimal decorating, and last minute at that.

The final pumpkin was found and discarded just today.

My 50 Random Acts of Kindness are in full swing, and it's the best gift I've ever given myself.

I'm absolutely stress-less.

I ofttimes feel that I live in a fantasy world - a bubble almost - of goodness and light, and happiness and sunshine - where everyday is Christmas, and everyone I meet has the same naive spirit as I do.

So far - living like this has worked for me.

I've got no plans of changing.

The last year has been a journey indeed.
A journey of weight loss, a journey of personal growth, a journey of learning to let peace lead, to let go of control, to end worry, and a journey to live simply.
I haven't been perfect, but I've done stinkin' good.



This morning I awoke pondering this -
Would I indeed be able to celebrate the birth of our Saviour without confection?
Without eggnog.
Fudge.
Cookies.
Punch.
Cakes.
Spiced nuts.


Would I?

You must know that I've food issues.
For me - one cookie would turn into one hundred.
Surely you wouldn't tell your recovering alcoholic Uncle Fred to have just 'one drink' for Christmas?
Surely, you wouldn't encourage your crack addicted cousin Susie to just 'do a little' cause it's the Holidays.

Would you?

While doing the morning dishes, I began pondering again. Sometimes I think I ponder too much, and it's something I'm working on - but some pondering is quite necessary when going through a major transformation. I'm trying to learn to boil things down. To get to the root of things as quickly as I can - and move on. Sometimes I do pretty well - other times, I get stuck - and thoughts are like a broken record in my head.

I'm pondering the no bake Christmas again this year. I know. It probably seems so silly to some of you - but for me - it was my identity I suppose. I don't think I truly realized how much time and energy I put into Christmas baking. Recipes were searched out months in advance, ingredients were bought weeks ahead - I practically worked full time for two weeks baking. I was good at it. People liked it - it validated me in some way - and also fed my addiction as of course I had to taste everything, and not only taste - I'm sure I ate half of it all - and that's why I had to make SO much!

What has me pondering this again is two things:

Today my brother-in-law and nephew are coming for a visit. I know what they expect. They expect a visit to Mrs. Claus' house. They expect cookies, confection, cocoa and joy. I can give them the joy - but they will get a fruit plate and some unsweetened tea. I have a scared feeling in my stomach because of it.

The second reason is my beloved nephew Aaron, The BoyChild - who is my heartbeat, my joy and like my very own son. I feel the responsibility of giving him everything that "I" feel that Christmas is - and it involves food.

I'm trying to boil this down. Why would I feel scared over this? Why would I feel the burden of 'making some one's Christmas'? I'm reckoning that it's boiling down to needing to be liked, needing to be loved, needing to feel good at something. If the very thing I THOUGHT people liked me for - I no longer do - my mind tells me that they will no longer like me. Is that really that big of a deal? Obviously, to me it is. If someone no longer likes me because I don't bake cookies - well, it's a pretty good indication that they never liked ME in the first place....

I started my period today - just interjecting that right here right now....LOL

The small part of my brain that is logical - tells me that all of this is poppycock. Come by for a visit, have some great orange slices and move on. It's not my 'job' to make you happy, it's not my 'job' to make you cookies. Like the new me or move on.

The large part of my brain that is emotional cries out 'love me' and wants to get the sugar and flour out.

Lord have mercy.
And you thought the whole process of weight loss was eat less, move more, didn't you?

The Leanness Lifestyle

Coach Robin, The CoopKeeper, Coach Tom, Coach Angie, Coach David

This weekend I had the immense pleasure and honor of spending time with

 my Leanness Lifestyle mentors in the great town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I'm still getting used to my contacts - and I had on five inch heels.
So basically - I looked like a surprised, somewhat high, new born baby giraffe.
It's a sure way to impress people you don't see often.

These people are the real deal folks.

Losing weight this last year has been the lemon in my water - it's really been more of an internal transformation.

There's a saying that floats around the club

"Shrinking on the outside - growing on the inside"

So true.

Robin's lost 40 lbs and has kept it off for over 9 years.

Angie's lost 40 lbs and kept it off for over 6 years.

Coach Tom and David have both made amazing tranformations.

Last thing ya want to read about right before Christmas, isn't it?
I wouldn't blame you for one second if you clicked right off of here, and went to a blog where there were giving out recipes for Eggnog Cupcakes.

But just keep this stuck in your craw for January, when you are looking for that miracle diet yet again, or maybe - when you are at the end of your rope, resigning that you'll live the rest of your life overweight and unhappy.

Y'all come back here and I'll hook you right up.

For those of you that have emailed me in the last few days - give me a few days to get caught up - I'll for sure write you back.
: -)

Fifty Fifty

I just cleaned my belly piercing - and Aaron (The BoyChild is my nephew - just clarifying)

 cleaned his nose piercing, and it made me think of y'all.

Pictures tomorrow - Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

 

We are in the throes of decorating the house for Christmas, and squealing with each thing we unwrap.

"Remember this!?"

"Oh I love this one!"

Now, if'n we'd just get some snow.

Too much fun.

Soon we'll depart and get our customary Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and each find an ornament that we'll squeal over next year.

Two things, nay - three things I wanted to say today.

Wait - I think there's four.

Umpire.

Did you know that word has haunted me for 24 hours.

It's the right word, isn't it?

It doesn't sound right.

I looked it up - and the definition is right.

It's still seeming wrong.

That's what you call the guy behind the batter that calls the balls, right?

Right.

?

 

The second thing I wanted to show you was the table that Glen just finished making for me out of 'reclaimed lumber'.

Actually - lumber I saw sticking out a dumpster last summer.

This beauty is 8' long and is going to make a lot of memorable meals.
Well, actually I will be making the meals - the table will just make them memorable.

After Christmas, I'll work on the porch again.

The chairs have to be painted, etc. etc.

And anotha thang I wanted to share with mainly my new readers, is my
Christmas Cookie tutorial.

I'm a great baker.

It's just a fact.

I'm sure you'll pick up some great tips!

And the final thang -

I'll be 50 in 50 days.

Today starts my birthday Random Acts of Kindness kickoff.

(another reason I wanted Aaron home today!)

For the next 50 days - I'll (or we'll) do a Random Act of Kindness each day.

Today - we are getting hot cocoa for all of the Salvation Army bell ringers in town.

Too much fun!

Until tomorrow - I bid you -

A squeal worthy day.

Daily Drivel Digest #326

I survived my day out among the English.

Survived, and maybe even thrived a little.

All I have to say, is that Vickie - you were right when you left the comment about it being good I was among candles, potpourri and room spray.

My cauliflower/cannelini bean conconction was in full swing, and at times I was doubled over with cramps.

Luckily, for me - and all of the customers, I wasn't behind the counter - but I was walking the floor - so I could leave the scene of the crime easily - and swiftly - and I did.

I have a real live name tag on my work apron - even though I've not a  clue what I'm doing.

I can fake it til I make it though - since I was a manager there a few years ago.

It's MUCH more fun walking around playing with dinner plates, and fluffing pillows than it is hammering out a schedule, making bank runs and actually being responsible for things!

I was lightly begged to work more than two days a month.
I declined.

Saying yes to that, means saying no to other things that I'm not willing to say no to right now.

Like being home.

The day was perfectly orchestrated time wise, and you woulda thunk I actually planned it - I swear I did get every green light and arrow, even at the fabric store, it seemed like they were just waiting for me to arrive.

What's with the fleece?

E.v.e.r.y.one there was buying scads of it.

I'm thinking it's for those no sew blankets.

I'll let you in on a little secret.

I diss the fleece.

I do diss it.

Why, you ask?

It gives me the chills, similiar to cotton balls, and it makes me feel like I need to go to the eye doctor to look at it - it's all blurred.
I'm dizzy and covered in chills now, just thinking of it.

what I think I look like with contacts - I'm sorry Courtney

My eye doctor appointment went well.

It was like riding a bike - popping those hard little blue lenses in me eyes.

Two minutes later, I looked like my dog died, or something else horrible happened.

I told the eye doctor that he should hand out buttons that say 'I'm not stoned - I just got contacts!'

Two hours in me eyes yesterday, four today.

Glenco tells me last night - after over 10 years of me wearing glasses that he likes me better without glasses.

I feel like I have too much face showing now - and I feel vulnerable.

It's hard to explain.

Today is Wednesday, thus the BoyChild shall be picked up at school.

I'll let you in on another secret.

We are celebrating his birthday today, although it's not actually his birthday just yet.

SIXTEEN.

Oy.

We are celebrating by going to a tattoo parlor and having extremely sharp hollow needles rammed through various parts of our body.

Is there a better way to bond with someone you love?

My belly, his nose.
Pierced.
No tattoos!
(added this after a few thought I was getting inked. : -)

You are shocked aren't you?

You should be.

And I'll let you in on yet ANOTHER secret.

He's not going to school tomorrow so he can help me decorate the house for Christmas and we can do our ornament shopping tradition.

Memories are more important than World History and Health class.

Don't hate.

And now, for something completely different.

This morning at about 4:15am, I woke up because the cat bounded off the bed, and my ears were ringing loudly.

And somehow, I have no idea why - it reminded me of a comment I got here a while back asking me if my house was haunted, and how would you know - if you were wanting to buy an old house if it were haunted or not.

I'm sorry I haven't answered that sooner - and I'm sorry for all the questions that go unanswered here, and I'm sorry for the way things are in China - oh wait, that's a John Denver song.

I like to think that I have a good 'knower'.  I feel a lot of things, I sense things.  I have 'forebodings' as I like to call them, and sometimes I just know things.  Everyone  that I have known that has been diagnosed with cancer - I've known from the minute I find out - whether or not they will survive it.
I've been right every single time.

Coincidence?

Maybe.

So I would say I'm sensitive to things - but - and again - don't hate - I'm not sure I believe in ghosts.

It could explain the missing pillow if I did.

I believe in spirits - but not ghosts.

Does that make sense?

All of that to say - my house is haunted.

It's haunted with happiness, and beautiful memories of days gone by.

It's haunted with children's laughter, tears over hard decisions, lives lost, lives begun.

After 143 years - I do believe this house has seen it all.

But I've never felt anything but sheer peace and joy in this house.

People do remark on it when they enter.

I'm glad they don't remark that it smells like a moldy basement or a cat box.

I think - if you are hankering for an old house - and you want to start shopping for an old house - you will just 'know' if that house is for you.

It will feel right from the moment you walk in.

If it doesn't?

Leave.

Colossians 3:15 says that peace should be our umpire.

 “Let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as an umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds]…” (Colossians 3:15 AMP).
(thanks Terry - I needed to clarify that!)

Oh my - imagine if we all lived that way - only doing things that brought us peace.

We wouldn't be nearly as busy as we are, now would we?

Think about that.

This, That and the Other Thang

Again, I find myself hacked by a hormonal woman talking about no Christmas presents!

Good Lord.

: -)

So let it be written, so let it be done.

I'm about ready to fly out the door here, but wanted to stop in real quick like and let you know I just slapped 12 more bottles of serum up on Etsy.

I'm clean out of the chicken charms, so I lowered the price on them even a bit more.

The charms are on their way from Taiwan I do believe, it takes a while.

I'm heading out to the fabric store to get some apron fabric.  I hope to have more aprons by the middle of next week.  I will only promise this if in fact I have my Merry Christmas tree up and lit by then.

19 days til Christmas and there's nary a holiday bauble in my house.

But - there are no pumpkins.

Amen.

I have to work at 'The Pier' (Pier One) today from noon to three.

I have to remember to take my allergy meds before I go!

I'm giggling at a three hour shift - but at least it motivates me to put on makeup today.

I haven't worked there in two weeks, I hope I remember how to run the register.

Woe unto the impatient woman that get me today!

I'm still hankering hard over a pencil skirt.

I pick up my contact lenses this afternoon too.

I haven't worn them for 14 years and I imagine there's going to be a LOT of blinking going on - since I ordered the rigid gas permeable.

Makes my eyes water to think about it!

I'll be 50 in 52 days.

I've got a doozy of a way I'm ringing in the big five oh.

I'll tell ya all about it -

tomorrah.

And the last nugget of wisdom I impart to you today -

If you ever decide to 'make up' a healthy Italian Turkey Minestrone soup recipe, and think that it's a good idea to put cannellini beans in it, along with an entire head of chopped cauliflower -

Think again.

Really.

Think really hard.

My Christmas Wish List

Last night I dreamt that I was working in a big flour factory, that also baked breads and cakes.

I was on an assembly line where I was frosting chocolate cakes.

I was quite adept at it - but ended up eating a lot of the frosting.

Then the line went down and we were all sitting around looking for things to do.

So I ate more - cake and frosting.

Then I met the owner of the business and he was quite taken with me and gave me a bag of birdseed.

What does this mean?

The fall decorations are out of the house.

Next - I go outside and take the pilgrims down.

: -)

I wanted to share my Christmas list with you - things I've been hankering for.

Been hankering for this since my 'mall day'.

See - that's the trouble with going to the mall! 

You want things you never even knew existed before you went.

Like Coach perfume and Elmo underwear.

Selah.

One spray and I knew I found my new fragrance.

Not that I'm a big fragrance girl.

My bottle of Clinque 'Happy' has lasted me three years.

I usually smell like dirt, grass, onions and Pinesol.

I'm ok with that.

This beauty.

KitchenAid's new 13 cup food processor.

I swoon when I think about it.

I eat a lot of veggies.

A. LOT.

Imagine the ease in which I could slice my cucumbers and julienne my carrots.

It's enough to make a grown woman cry.

My floor would no longer be covered in cauliflower when I chop.

*sniffle*

I'd love a $5000 gift certificate to this place.

I'm not a Kindle/Nook kinda girl.

I like turning real pages, I like smelling books, highlighting them and using them to decorate.

I understand the Nook has it's value - don't get me wrong.

I'd LOVE a shopping spree at Barnes and Noble.

*a single tear*

Anything, and I do mean anything from this place:

Even though I've been pinning cute outfits on Pinterest, talking about pencil skirts, and wanting Coach perfume - I'm a Life is Good hoodie kinda girl at heart -

 that really doesn't mind smelling like onions.

Something happened yesterday as I looked out my backwindow and saw my orange lights glowing, and my pumpkins sinking, and my pilgrims illuminated - something that I'm

not quite sure of -

I want nothing for Christmas now.

And I'm not really planning on giving any gifts to my friends this year.

I went over to the side of the fridge where my Christmas Gift Giving list is and I took it off the fridge, looked at it, and threw it in the garbage can.

If you are my friend reading this - please don't get me anything - please give that waitress a big tip, buy someone's groceries, shovel someone's walkway -

That's a gift I would love for you to give me.

I've got a big heart - I know that - and giving makes me giddy.

GIDDY.

I love giving gifts and I shan't lie - I like opening a gift or two on Christmas Eve around the tree.

And there's not a thing wrong with that.

But somewhere between lunch and dinner yesterday - somewhere between my heart and my mind -

it all seemed so silly.

It all seemed so 'this is what we do every year' - and I'm opting out.

You can't imagine the freedom I feel.

I'm decking my halls today - and the Christmas music will play - there will be some gluten free cookies floating about in the days to come -

My present this year is going to 'be present'.

Present.

Here.

Now.

Giving 100% of my attention to whomever it is I'm with - be it the BoyChild, Glenco - my other family members, friends.

Giving my time, giving a great attitude, giving my sympathy, giving my encouragement, giving, giving, giving.

And promising myself that I'll continue to be that way - long after the needles are vacuumed out of the carpet, long after the boxes of ornaments are tucked safely away in the attic for another year.

Be present.

I think that's an awesome present.

And much harder to give than a pair of socks.

Amen.

Scenes from a Mall

I sit here typing to you in my pj's - up on a Sunday morning, with a cup of breakfast tea cooling in me largest Starbucks mug.

I've no intention of dressing today - or doing anything - so this could be a very long blog post.

The pilgrims are STILL on the porch - lit - fyi.

Glenco and I have decided to take our Sunday's off completely.

Go get a drink - I'll wait.

Are you back?

I've been pinning.

Don't get me started.

Law.

I'm hooked - and if I actually do all of the ideas I've pinned - I will in fact deserve a reward.

In fact - I do believe I'm going to make a board that says "I DID this!"

Glenco's still in bed.

It's 9:36 in the ay em.

It's raining - and it's gloomy.

Which I suppose it's normal to be gloomy when it's raining -

 

You know my last post about being dark and twisty?

Well today I'm bright and straight.

I know what you are thinking - 'this gal needs meds'.

Nah, I just need to stop thinking so much.

But this post is about the mall -

Now this is a scene that you would NEVER see ever -

me, with girlfriends - smiling in the mall

This is more what you would see if you brought me in a mall

Terror - anxiety - and an all around 'let's get the heck out of here' mood.

Just the mention of 'the mall' aged me by 30 years!

Yesterday.

YESTERDAY - a December Saturday - I went to the mall with the AlmostManChild.

I really should stop calling him the BoyChild - but it's hard.

I'm still in awe of how much I enjoyed the mall.

So much to look at!

So much to smell!

It was fantastic!

I was calm - not a care in the world.

I'm just so different now.
Not a smidge of anxiety since I'm wheat-free.

(more on that later - a lot more)

Oh the fun we had!

Aaron is some good company - I just have to tell you that.

There's never a moment of silence between us - there's laughing til we cry - and I can ask the AlmostManChild anything and he tells me the truth.

Case in point -

 I'm going to a lovely symphony concert in Wisconsin next weekend and I want to dress up.

I thought of an outfit like this:

But my calves are still really chunky - and I'm self conscious.

Aaron told me it would be best if I didn't sport the pencil skirt.

His exact words "I'm not telling you this to hurt your feelings - but your legs still need some work - wear your black slacks"

I had asked Glenco the same question and he said "You need to dress for the weather - what if there's snow? Don't wear a skirt and heels".

:-/

Something has changed in Aaron in the last couple of weeks.

I can't put my finger on it - but it's like he's blossomed.

It might have something to do with this:

I ADORE my new brother-in-law.

Ah. Door.

Aaron's cutting all of his blue hair off (oh, you didn't know it was blue?) and going back to his natural hair color.

He's always been vibrant and full of life - but now - it's like he's glowing. 
He didn't meet a stranger in the mall - having conversations with the sales associates like they were his best friends.

Anything I needed - he was on it -

"we need these in a 9 1/2"

"excuse me - where are the gloves at ?"

"Marmie - you don't need those Elmo underwear"

Did you KNOW they had Elmo underwear?

I surely didn't.

I'm convinced the boy is going to take terrific care of me in my silver years.

In fact, I declare that he'll be going all Shirley MacClaine from "Terms of Endearment" if I ever end up in a hospital.

It makes me smile to think about it.

It makes me so happy to know that I'm healthy, and living a lifestyle that will insure that I get to spend as much time with him as possible.

He's growing up right before my eyes.

I have the best, deep down feeling inside my belly about his life.

He may be flunking algebra - but in the grand scheme of things -

he's on the Honor Roll of life.

I absolutely couldn't be prouder of him.

Think About It Thursday

I really must say I felt like $675,000 yesterday with my vintage coat and messy updo.

I loved hearing the sound of my heels clicking around the house while I was getting ready to go.

The play was -

let's say -

'interesting'

I felt dozy during the first half - and then the second half grabbed me by the throat and choked me up some.

I may or may not believe in Santa Claus all over again.

I'm leaning toward believing.

I do believe I was the only one in attendance with fertile eggs in me ovaries.

I didn't realize what a Senior past time afternoon musicals were.

So today finds me all dark and twisty inside.

Christmas is in 24 days and the pilgrims are still lit on my porch.

Mummified pumpkins are sitting about.

I've got no gumption to change it.

I'm planning on making all my gifts - so it will be a Christmas miracle in and of itself if anyone receives anything.

I have over 50 boxes to get to the post office this week - and I can't thank you enough for your generosity and kindness towards me!

I, me, mine.

I feel self-centered.

I'm just in a thinkin' kinda mood.

iggiandgabi.com

I'm thinkin' how perfectly imperfect we all are -

and I'm trying to embrace my weaknesses and give myself a pat on the back for my strengths.

I'm tryin' to learn to love the new thinner Jayme that seems boring to me at times.

I'm trying to forgive the still food addicted Jayme that hides in the pantry and eats a half a bag of marshmallows as fast as she can in secret at times.

I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that the skin on my face seems so much looser now and how my eyelids move around so much it's hard to put on eyeshadow.

I'm aging.

It's happening right before my loose eyelids - and there's not a thing I can do about it.

I'm trying to stop time and spend mine wisely from here on out.

I'm a regular time miser lately.

I'm trying to tell my mind what it's allowed to think - instead of letting it tell me how to feel.

I'm trying not to try so hard.

my.opera.com

Law.

I haven't vacuumed in four days.

I'm glad you were sitting down for that one.

Let the record show that losing over 100lbs will rock your world in ways you weren't prepared for it to.

But guess what?

My world needed a little rocking.

Maybe yours does too.

Never give up.

Never give in.

Never stop believing.

shindigz.com

Would a disco ball be as sparkly if it were one solid sheet of mirror?
I think not.

Bust up that mirror - glue it back together -

and now you got yourself a party.

Party on imperfect peeps.

Party on.



Betty Draper Called....

...she wants her coat back.

Talk about being in the right place at the right time -

I picked up this beauty at the resale for 8 dollas!

Today I'm going to a Christmas play right up and in the middle of the afternoon.

And I'm dressing up Draper-style.

Funny thing - how you think you look until you take a picture, isn't it?

I really thought my hair looked good - so I took a pic to show you - and come to find out that it's a rat's nest!

Kinda like this -

Holiday Nipples....

Hey gals!

THANK YOU!

I am just blown away by your support of my Etsy shop yesterday.

I hope to make some more aprons soon - but right now I'm knee deep in packaging papers

skin oil.

Here's a post I did a few years ago - wanted to bring it back up to the top so that you can get busy making some Santa Nipples - or Reindeer Nipples - or Elf Nipples....

or you could just call them Nipple Rings.

The possibilities are endless!

Just wanted to show you a super quick, super tasty little treat to make for the holidays.

I call these Nipples.

I think it's funny. Glenco just rolls his eyes.

These would be Turkey Nipples.

I also make Reindeer Nipples, Leprechaun Nipples, Cupid's Nipples....

I think you get the idea.

I was going to name this post 'Everyone Loves My Nipples'

Aren'tcha glad I didn't?

All you need are some round pretzels, Hershey kisses and M&M's.

The M&M's should reflect whatever holiday it is that you are celebrating.

Of course, the day before Thanksgiving, it's impossible to find any fall colored M&M's, so I had to buy a regular bag and sort them out myself.

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Using a Silpat or parchement paper, line a cookie sheet (I like using a jelly roll so they don't fall off going in and out of the oven, trust me on that one)

"Kiss your pretzels"

Put them in the oven for about two to three minutes, until thoroughly softened and shiny, but not melted and running.

Now all you have to do is 'nipple' them!

Chill them until they firm up. These make great snacks. They pack well and can be put in tins or jars and given as gifts. Kids especially like these.

Hoping you all have a wonderful, and Happy Thanksgiving!

PS House post still planned for sometime later tonight!

Apron Up!

Well girls - it's Monday.

I like me some Monday.

For me - it's the day of the week to get after it again - restore order - plan and scheme - cook - clean - and kick some butt in general.

I don't know about you - but I don't feel properly prepared for a Monday unless I'm aproned up.

I did it girls.

I actually sewed up 9 aprons and put them on Etsy.

Why do I feel all nervous?

: -)

Hands to the Spindle, Hearts to God over here.

I'm staying home if'n it's the last thing I do.

Can't thank you enough for your support!  Thanks SO much for your serum and honey orders.

Ya done blessed me real good.

If you want to order an apron, and you've already ordered honey, or serum - please go ahead and know that I'll be adjusting the shipping costs before I do ship your order and giving you a refund.

Capeesh?

This will be the last day that the serum and honey are at the sale price!

Don't miss it!
It will also be the last day I'm pimping out my blog!
: -)

Many thanks to my wonderful friend Renee for letting me borrow her dummy.  I've had fun posing this dummy by the ironing board, and having her do assorted chores. I've gotten quite attached to her actually!  I keep trying to talk Glenco into getting some actual sister wives. 

Imagine how much could get done with a few more women in the house!

(As of 2pm CST - all the aprons have sold! Oh my!  I can't believe it!  Thank you all so very, very much)

Skin Serum Sale!

Fixed the shipping charges on Etsy!

Thanks for bringing that to my attention....

I'm awfully confused on the shipping, and how to set it right - because for a Medium Priority box at $10.95 you can get two jars of honey, a skin serum and probably an apron all shipped for $10.95!

If you place an order, and the shipping is all cattywompus - I will fix it, refunding you a difference via Paypal - before I ship it ok?

Cattywompus is a woefully underused word.

So is cockamamie, gallavanting - and actually - woeful.

I've deleted the coupon code and just lowered the price by 20% for the next few days just to add to the confusion here.

There's plenty of honey left at the moment - so go get it before it's gone.

Hard to believe it'll be next summer before I pull anymore frames.

The skin serum is on sale now!

$12.95 a bottle!

Stock up!

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to sell it at this price again.

(that's not a real chicken - fyi - no chicken was harmed in the making of the serum)

I'm getting so many fabulous testimonials about the skin serum.

I have one customer who's Doctor kept remarking about her skin, saying what a difference he's noticed - so much that he ordered a bottle for himself!

I do believe with the amount of weight I've lost recently, that my face would be rather saggy without it.

I couldn't go a day without it - I couldn't. I wouldn't.  I won't.

If you are already a serum user, I'd love to hear your comments!

Hurry up and order yours today - cause chances are I will actually remember to change the price back to the original $19.95 some day.

Just click on my Etsy store right over there --------->