Hickory Farms For Our Troops!

Dave LOVES Hickory Farms meats and cheeses. Our holidays are not complete without these delicious snacks. When Dave was deployed, I sent him Hickory Farms products all year long. The products come ready to ship and with a little of everything in a box. I asked Dave if getting meats and cheeses all year long made them less special at Christmas, "Heck no!" was his reply.

Dave will be the first to tell you beef jerky and baby wipes are okay, but there are so many other things that make a Soldier smile! Send Hickory farms to service men and women by visiting http://www.hickoryfarms.com/. If you find a local store or kiosk, pick up an extra box and you'll be ready when you have guests drop by...either for a snack or a gift!


"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a Hickory Farms gift basket to facilitate my review." http://www.momcentral.com/.

Black Friday Or Not?

Do you get up in the wee hours of the morning to save a few dollars? I don't but my hubby does, every year! He doesn't just do it to save money, for him it's more about the energy that comes from the retail experience. He has a long history in the retail industry, primarily being the one preparing all the treasures you are getting there so early to gobble up.

I'm not big on the material part of Christmas. I love baking cookies, decorating the house, sending and receiving Christmas cards, and gathering with friends. Of course, I love getting Mason the thing he's pining for that shows up under the tree from Santa, but I'm not big on so many gifts he can't tell you what he actually got.

Here's what I'm proposing; why don't we all spend this holiday season simplifying our idea of Christmas? I'm going to spend all of December sharing ideas on how you can get back to basics, enjoy this season with little or no money, and most importantly, show the people you love how you feel without a box of candles, shower gel, or a campy make-up set. Join me and share your ideas for feeling more this holiday and ringing in the new year on a high note!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's the day before Thanksgiving and I'm not stressed at all. I have to work today and tomorrow is the big day, but not for us. We celebrate Thanksgiving on the following Saturday, that is of course unless we go to visit with Dave's family. This year we are staying home and using tomorrow and Friday to get ready for our house full on Saturday. It works out really well because we are able to get ready, clean, prep the food and even read a magazine or two because we can use the two full days.

I expect that your big Thanksgiving meal is tomorrow so let me wish you big breasts and tender thighs! We all have so much to be grateful for tomorrow and everyday!

Natura Pillow Review - Week Four

It's been a month for Dave and I on our new Natura pillows. I didn't expect to go through a major loss during this review, but when I did, it brought to light how important sleep really is. It's even more important when you not getting it, much like breathing! Part of good sleep is quality sleeping arrangements including you bedroom, bedding, mattress, and pillow.

I shared last week that Dave absolutely loves his pillow. Several of you asked me what I thought about mine. I like my new pillow, but as Julia with NaturaWorld pointed out, your pillow has to fit you. The measurement between your ear and shoulder is how you determine how thick your pillow needs to be. Neither Dave or I were measured and this review started when Julia assured me she could find a pillow Dave loved. She did. She through in a pillow for me and that's when the conversation about good sleep and couples getting good sleep together came about. I plan to purchase a pillow that is similar to my old favorite pillow, which I'm still using. My Natura pillow is wonderful, it's just too thin.

If you haven't already, visit the Naturaworld web site and browse all of their incredible products. There is something there for everyone, even the dog and every price range. This Christmas, you can buy a pillow for a Soldier for only $5.00! For a mere $20.00, you can change the lives of four people! Visit http://www.naturaworld.com/

Rekindling My Inspiration

Since Riley died, I've been completely uninspired. I know this is part of the grieving process but I miss the light I normally feel. I want to feel excited about the holidays and I'm working on little things that I can see through to completion, like making cookies with Mason or decorating the house for Thanksgiving. I realize my blog is not nearly as fun to read and may even seem superficial, but I appreciate you being with me during this difficult time and more importantly, my lifelong journey.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Tomorrow is my mom and dads wedding anniversary. If my dad were still alive, they would have been married 56 years. No matter that dad is gone, I know we will always celebrate this day. Happy Anniversary!

It's Been A While!

I was feeling that a win was needed, after all, it's been a while and in light of my recent loss, I decided a little pampering was in order. KNCI FM in Sacramento (www.kncifm.com/) was giving away a massage, acupuncture, and several other spa services. As soon as I heard what the prize package entailed, I set my intention to win. I tried calling only twice and one on round two! I'm telling you, it's not that hard if you really believe you can win! Set your intention and play! I'm proof it works!

Natura Pillow Review - Week Three

We have been sleeping on our new Natura pillows for three weeks already, well, almost. Last week we were in Palm Springs and I'm going to say something I never thought I would say, "Dave likes his pillow at home more than he liked the pillow at the high end resort!" This has always been exactly the opposite...Dave goes away on business, comes home to punch, fluff, and roll his pillow. With a humph and a big sigh he grumbles about how he needs a new pillow and how great the pillow was in the hotel. Not this time. Last night, Dave slept like a log and anyone who sleeps with another knows, if he's sleeping well, you likely are, too! Dave has the Dream Mate Pillow http://www.naturaworld.com/catalog/pillows/latex/dream-mate and he loves it.

On another note, Natura is starting a wonderful campaign to send pillows to Canadian Troops. Please visit their web site and learn how you can help. For only $5.00, you can send a pillow to a soldier! I'm thinking we could each buy four...a mere $20.00 from each one of us will change the life of four people. I'll post this again when the program starts, sharing the whole story and how you can help. http://www.naturaworld.com/blog/index.php/pillows-troops-1422

Oh, and did I mention, there is a contest to win $1000 worth of eco friendly bedding! YES! One-thousand-dollars! Check it out...or maybe not, better odds for me if you don't! (wink) http://www.naturaworld.com/blog/index.php/womens-world-natura-contest-1534

Winning

"Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning." Denis Waitley

Happily Married

Today is our anniversary, Dave and I have been married eight years. We are truly happily married. I know this now more than ever because in this time of deep sorrow, we have come together and bonded in a way I've never known with another person. Dave gave me a beautiful card today, like he does every year, but it's what he added to this one that was so special, "Never forget who we are together." I won't, I'm grateful everyday.

Learning To Grieve

Who knew one has to learn to grieve? I didn't. Maybe learning is not the right word, it could be that we need to unlearn the way we were taught not to grieve. "Buck up!" I was told. "You don't have time to cry, you have a job to do." I heard other's be told. Here I am now deeply mourning the loss of my beloved Riley and I feel like I need to apologize for having a broken heart. I don't know a single person who would expect me to down play the loss of Dave or Mason.

Part of grieving is being angry, heck, it's part of life. I know how the emotional tones play and though anger is not pretty, it's up from grief. Anger is a good sign that you're not stuck, you are healing and the acceptiance of your loss is coming. I'm learning to grieve and I will not express remorse for the immense sadness I feel in Riley's death. I understand that not everyone will know what I'm feeling and that's okay, but I will feel it nonetheless.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

Author unknown.

Natura Pillow Review - Week Two

This is an interesting but important week to write about. We all know our bed and pillow needs to be a good quality and suited to our individual bodies during normal times, but what about when life circumstances are not normal?

We think about what we need in our day-to-day lives, but what about the times you are sick, injured, or grief stricken? It has become apparent to me that these are the times we need to have the proper sleeping accommodations more than ever.

Dave and I have spent the last week grieving the loss of our beloved dog Riley (see the picture of Riley sleeping on my pillow before I ever got to). I've done lots and lots of crying while Dave has been struggling to sleep through the night. Tossing and turning would be the norm, but that hasn't been the case. What's been happening for Dave is that he is simply not sleeping. He got up and went to work at 3 AM one morning, and found himself on the couch watching television while he couldn't sleep on another. By Thursday, I can only surmise that he was completely exhausted and finally slept. Again, no tossing and turning, just good, sound sleep on a pillow that fits him. This is true for me, too. I wasn't sleeping either, but I was comfortable on my skinny pillow. My head rested comfortably and when I did doze off, I really rested.

Other times I've needed to be comfortable was after knee surgery and when I was thrown from a horse last year. I came home with a concussion, bruised kidneys, a cracked vertebrae in my spine, and a finger that needed two surgeries (in just 3 weeks) to be reconstructed. Being comfortable in bed was paramount! You may not think about these times when you are shopping for a bed or pillows. Think about it because even if being tossed off a horse in not in your future, an auto accident, a slip and fall, or any other number of things very well could be.

Sleep is the one thing we all need to think clearly and function in our daily life. Make sure you are equipped with a mattress, pillow, and bedding that fits you, and if you have a spouse, the two of you together. Dave loves his pillow and I'm loving mine more each week. For more information, visit http://www.naturaworld.com/. These guys know good sleep!