Monday, August 31, 2009

Monochromatic Monday - August 31,2009



This is my first attempt at participation in black and white photography, but I've been practicing with the encouragement and inspiration of Maria from Maria's Space. You have to go over to her site and see her gorgeous photo this week, it is awe-inspiring.


This meme is the brain child of Aileni from Monochrome Weekly, so if you participate, please go to her site and link up your post with her McLinky.

So, here is my first attempt, please be kind! :-)



We encountered these little fellows on Sunday downtown during our walk with Nano.


Hope you enjoyed my first foray into black and white...

Until next time..... Lorie

The Simple Women's Daybook - Aug 31, 2009



Hosted by Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

For today…August 31, 2009



Outside my window ~ It's dark (it is 10:25pm)

I am hearing ~ Monday Night Football, of course, what else would you expect?????

I am remembering ~ That I was supposed to call the doctor's office today and have them fax the referral to physical therapy. I hate when I forget to do something like that - Bill and I got busy with some financial stuff that took WAY longer than it was supposed to. HUMPF

I am thankful for ~ The fact that Bill & I can still laugh and see humor in things with each other during stressful moments and really tough times. He is the BEST!!

Around the house ~ I have laundry and more laundry (just like Maria - sorry I stole that one from you, but when I saw your answer, I just knew it was mine, too)

I am reading ~ Blogs, no books. How bad am I???

I am hoping ~ To get a physical therapy appointment right away, since it only took FOUR MONTHS to get the insurance company to approve payment. EERRGGG!!!


From the learning rooms ~ The Denver Broncos SUCK!! (no offense to their fans)


From the kitchen ~ I made Bill's favorite dinner tonight, a mixture of sausage, pasta, EVOO, tomatoes, garlic, and some spices. He was very happy.


One of my favorite things ~ Lying in bed with Bill early in the morning with the sun coming up and just talking about NOTHING, and laughing about silly stuff. Then Nano comes up and wants to get in on the conversation and licks our faces.

A few plans for the rest of the week ~ Laundry and more laundry, (TeeHee) and hopefully physical therapy.

A picture to share ~


Some of the downtown residents of Celebration, FL that we ran into on our walk on Sunday morning after breakfast with my friend Jill. Nano tried to play with them, but they didn't want anything to do with him. It was really quite funny.


Make sure when you are done.... you link yours to Maria at Maria's Space;
and Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.


Until next time..... Lorie

Blue Monday - August 31, 2009



It's Blue Monday again... Go on over to Maria's Space to see her lovely photo. Plus, add your link over on Smiling Sally's blog. Here is my contribution for the week.. it's a beautiful scene from my 2nd floor porch off my bedroom. The Hubs, Nano and I love to spend lots of time there... it's always such a peaceful spot.



Until next time..... Lorie

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Self-Portrait Sunday: August 30, 2009

As you know my good friend at Maria's Space started this meme called Self-Portrait Sunday so that you can showcase pictures of ... who else but yourself!! Because, when you look through your scrapbooks and your digital photo albums, there are hardly ever any pictures of yourself, because you are always behind the camera. Here are my contributions for the week:



This is me and my baby, Nano... isn't he just the cutest???

This is my good friend, Jill, who will be moving back to California next week {sniff, sniff}, she has a fabulous job opportunity and it is closer to her family, so I guess it is good. I'm really gonna miss her a lot!! We'll get to have one more breakfast together next Sunday.
Hope you all had a fabulous Sunday, and you all have a terrific week. Don't forget to link up your Self-portrait Sunday pictures up to Maria's Space blog.
Until next time..... Lorie

Sunday Stealing - 8/30/09



Today we ripped this meme off a blogger known as Ellen White from the blog Ellie Bellie Blog. She states that she has been "dragged into this new cult of memeing". She does not explain what blogger "dragged her". But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Stealing Sunday!
Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Ellie Bellie Meme


what are your most common nicknames? ~ Hon, Princess, Lor, Mommy

what is today's weather? ~ Hot, Humid, Sunny (it's central Florida in August!)

where did go on vacation this year? ~ Nowhere! Unless you count 5 days at a friends house over in Tampa, veggin' at their pool and drinking Daiqaries (?sp)...

what did you do there? See above... :-)

where did you stay? ~ In their daughter's bedroom

what job do you do? ~ I blog, read, and watch TV; I'm disabled

describe where you live. ~ A two story, one family home in a small community (that charges WAY too much in HOA fees, and is WAY too restrictive, which we should have looked into before moving in), just outside Disney World - the best perk and the main reason we moved here.

what do you usually do on weekends? ~ NOTHING! It is my day to watch TV all day, I catch up on my DVR shows, although there hasn't been much on lately, so I watch corny Sci-Fi shows.

what food hits your 'bliss spot'? ~ DUH - CHOCOLATE!!!

what drink really does it for you? ~ Water... The Hubs calls me an "aquaholic".

describe the first friend that comes to your head. ~ Sue, she was the best friend ANYONE could ever have:
http://wmljshewbridge.blogspot.com/2009/07/happy-birthday-sue-i-miss-you.html

what was the last restaurant you went to? ~ Town Tavern - a really nice local place that has a fabulous Sunday brunch. I had the best bacon & cheddar omelet..mmmmm!

where would you like to live if you had unlimited moneys and nothing stopping your dreams? ~ On a yacht off the South Pacific, like Fiji or Bora Bora... I love the sea water and the sun, and ocean breeze, plus the soft rock of the waves.

what is the likeliness of you achieving this dream home? ~ NONE, unless I win PowerBall, which is also none as I had ONE number last time!

what do you like to do in your spare time? ~ Play on the computer (DUH), read, photography, play with The Hubs and the dog, travel (when there is money - haha), go to the movies, and watch television.

what's your favorite genre for TV programs? ~ Tough choice between medical and legal/police dramas.... I TOTALLY HATE REALITY TV!!!

what's your favorite genre for music? ~ Rock and Roll... forever, baby!!

what's your favorite song that's sad? ~ Vincent by Don McLean

what's your favorite soppy film? ~ There are so many..... but I think it is "An Affair to Remember", and of course that leads to "Sleepless in Seattle".

how about your favorite chick flick? Definitely "Dirty Dancing"... I own it and STILL watch it every time I flip by it on the TV - MMMMM Patrick Swayze with his shirt off and tight pants!

what are you looking forward to at the moment? ~ The Hubs recuperating fully from his surgery

what are you dreading at the moment? ~ Some financial things we have to straighten out with a lawyer, really scary, we got swindled by someone who said she was our friend - God I hate that!

how would you describe your personality? ~ I am extremely neurotic, but have good reason to be, and am medicated for it, and see a professional. I think I am a very nice person who tries to do what is best without hurting people. I think I am a good wife and mother, and always try to do better, and feel that I am always there for my family and friends. Even though I cannot do much physically for them, I will always be there emotionally for them and support them no matter what! I am slightly overweight, hate my gray hair, think I have nice eyes and legs, but wish I could get a nose job and a boob lift. (TMI?????)

if you had a personality eraser, what part of yours might you erase? ~ My lack of confidence, my fear of almost everything, my hatred of my ex-husband, and the man who assaulted me, and the disappointment in my siblings and parents.

you are given $5000 to spend in 1 day, what do you do with it? remember, no limitations! ~ I book a long cruise and take The Hubs (and my kids) on a vacation, as he has been through so much in the last year, he really needs it.... I'd some how figure out how to get my doggie on board, too. I think he qualifies as a personal assistance animal.

what is your biggest fear? ~ Losing my children (especially Nikolaus who will be deployed to Afghanistan in November) before me, and my husband (who is 24 years older than me) before me. I don't think I could live through that.


For more Stealing Sunday check out Mr. Linky on the main Stealing Sunday site.
Have fun, until next time..... Lorie

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Shuttle Discovery: Final Night Launch

We had the privilege of watching the final night launch of the space shuttle (Discover) from our 2nd floor porch off our bedroom, just after midnight Saturday morning, 8/29/09. I took some pictures, we are in central Florida and Kennedy Space Center in on the east coast, about 22 miles away, so the pictures aren't really that detailed or clear. It looked much better in real life, but I thought I'd share this historic event with you anyway. Hope you enjoy.




This is about 1 minute after lift-of, the entire eastern skyline began to glow orange, it was really cool!!








Then the glow got brighter and more defined as the shuttle began to get higher and higher in the sky.





















Then as the shuttle got farther and farther away, it didn't glow as orange, it glowed more whitish. The last little speck is the last time I could see it with my naked eye (or with my zoom lens) right before the shuttle dropped the booster rockets.


That occurrence is shown in the last picture, which I cannot take credit for, as I photographed that off the television, courtesy of WKMG, Local-6 New.

It was really exciting to watch, even if we stayed up late to watch it... which I usually do anyway, to blog...


Sorry the pictures aren't any clearer... but I did my best... If you'd like to see some really great pictures, her is a terrific link to our local news station, WKMG Local-6.


Until next time..... Lorie

Friday, August 28, 2009

Help Prevent "Mad Cow Disease" in Celebration, FL

I received this email from a friend of mine:

Dear Celebration Family,

Several of the younger Celebration “bovines” are participating as a “herd”in a “Show us the Cow” photo contest and we need your vote before the 31st! We have all been to Celebration events that Chick-Fil-A has supported so we felt it was our turn to participate and support our local Chic-Fil-A!!!!! The photo is moovelous.

Would you please support them by visiting
www.showusthecow.com and voting for them!! Our key words are “Celebration” and “herd” or use this quick link - http://www.showusthecow.com/vote.php?id=1233

Only one vote per email address and we need your vote!!!!! In fact we need over 1200 so if you can forward this on we’d appreciate it! (Remember to confirm it)

THANK YOU!!!!:Soooooooooooooo Moooooooooooooch – it only takes a minute.

So, to all my friends out there in the blogosphere... if you have a minute, and if you think the picture is cute, can you help some really cute "cows" reach their goal. Thanks.......


Until next time..... Lorie

Thursday, August 27, 2009

ABC Wednesday ~ Round 5 ~ F is for Fun

This week's ABC Wednesday theme is the letter "F" and F is for "fun" and funny faces.

For more ABC Wednesday go over to Maria's Space
to see her and her beautiful children.
Until next time..... Lorie


Pearl Paradise Giveaway


My friend Paige over at Nurse Mommy is offering the most amazing set of Pearls from Pearl Paradise... The lovely set of lavender pearls above.


I have never seen lavender pearls, but these look gorgeous, and they could be yours.


{That is if I don't win them of course!!}


Head on over to Paige's site to see how you can enter to win these beautiful pearls. And while you are there, take a look around, she's got lots of other reviews and giveaways, and other posts about her family and her adorable son. It is really a fun site to read.


Good luck with the giveaway! Until next time..... Lorie

Thursday Challenge: Tranquil

"TRANQUIL" (Quiet, Peaceful, Still, Calm, Serene, Garden, Forest, Beach,...)

Thursday Challenge is a place for photographic fun and learning. A theme is announced on this site each week. You may either take a new photograph related in some way to the theme or select one that you have taken previously. Then submit your single permanent link here.





Until next time..... Lorie

Stork Craft Rocking Horse Giveaway

Here is another great toy that I know children or grandchildren will definitely adore:
Piera from Jolly Mom is hosting a giveaway for this wonderful Stork Craft Rocking Horse.
It is extremely well crafted and so cute. I remember sharing a rocking horse with my sisters when I was little and it was so much fun. I think all kids need to have one of these, and this one is certainly a quality toy.
Head on over to Jolly Mom to see how to enter, and good luck!!
Until next time..... Lorie

Kidorable Rain Coat & Matching Umbrella Giveaway

Felicia at Go Graham Go is hosting an ADORABLE giveaway!!
You have the opportunity to win the cutest raincoat, boots, and umbrella from Kidorable.
You will not believe how sweet these designs are for both boys and girls.
I so want to win one of these for our grandson, but they are so adorable that I just HAD to share them with you all.
{Not to mention I get an extra entry if I do.}
So head on over to Go Graham Go and good luck!!
Until next time..... Lorie

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Good Bye to Tyson - A Wonderful Rottweiler


I have some sad news from my friends Rodney and Tolliny... their beloved Rottweiler, Tyson, whom they have had for 14 years had to be put to sleep this morning due to cancer. He had been suffering very much lately and is now no longer so. His was able to enjoy a t-bone steak for dinner last night, and was very happy when he went to bed.
He was the sweetest, most gentle and loving dog you could ever know... When you first saw his big 100+ pound body, you might step back, a little frightened, but then as soon as you got up to him, you knew that he was a sweetie. I don't think I ever heard him growl or bark, even when his "little brother", Lucky ~ a 5 pound Yorkie, would run around and play with him. They were the best of friends. Tyson was like a child to Rodney and Tolliny and I know they will miss him terribly.
These are Tolliny's words today, in her grief, she has thought of others:
Though it seems a little hard at this precise moment we're going to be fine.

We are choosing to celebrate not the sadness of right now but the full life that he lived.
I'm sure we'll have some moments but we already have such a peace about it-he wasn't born to suffer & neither were we.
So today if you're pet owners give your pet an extra treat(for Tyson).
If you're a parent give an extra hug to your child(ren).
If you're reading this-show your love to someone today-it's a great day to celebrate life.
It's our choice.
Until next time..... Lorie

Wordless Wednesday: My Little Nano


For more Wordless Wednesday check out Go Graham Go and link your post to her site.
Check out the new Wordless Wednesday HQ

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ruby Tuesday Meme


Here is my contribution, a beautiful red bird at Disney's Animal Kingdom.....





If you'd like to see more Ruby Tuesday photos, go visit Mary at Work of the Poet!
Until next time..... Lorie

Blue Monday Meme



Today is Blue Monday.... My post is a picture of Amalfi Coast in Italy. When people talk about the blue Mediterranean Sea, everything they say is the truth. I was so amazed at the gorgeous colors we saw when we were there in 2007. Bill took me on a 12 day cruise for our 10th wedding anniversary ~ it was magical!!



For more Blue Monday posts check out Maria's Space..... the originator of Blue Monday.
Until next time..... Lorie


Monday, August 24, 2009

Self Portrait Sunday


Maria over at Maria's Space does a post on Sunday's called Self Portrait Sunday ~ of course, I'm late as usual. Here is the reason she started this post: You look through your photo albums or computer folders and see very few photos of yourself. Maybe it is because, like me, you are usually behind the camera. Or maybe, it's because you never feel you look good in photos so you tell everyone, "don't take any of me."


So on Sunday, no matter what is going on, you need to take a picture or two of YOURSELF!! I didn't get any of myself this past Sunday, but here are my most recent pictures of me:

Jury Duty Update

Thank you Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, Osceola County Jury Services... I have been excused from their request of my attendance on September 9, 2009. I guess they realize that I am really in no condition to serve on any jury. I guess sometimes things do work out in my favor.

Thanks to everyone who kept me in their thoughts and prayers while I waiting their agonizing decision. Until next time..... Lorie

Back to School - Not for Me this Year


(L-Alexander; R-Nikolaus)







With everyone talking about back to school this time of year, with all its anxiety and shopping and excitement... it got me thinking. This is the first year since 1993 that I haven't had to do any of that with my children {sniff, sniff} since my youngest, Alex, graduated this past June. He finished high school in Connecticut (where his father lives) so he could graduate with his class ~ he has been staying with the family of a friend. I was unable to attend the graduation {BIG sniff, sniff} because I was still recuperating from my spinal surgery. I was really upset not to be able to be there, but a really good friend, Naomi, who lives next door to my ex-husband, sent me a couple pictures. She has always been there for my boys and her son, Andy, is a really good friend of theirs.




(Alex is in the middle, Nik is on his left in sunglasses and Andy is the tall one in back)



(Photo courtesy: Naomi Allen)

I really miss taking the boys to the store to pick out new clothes, shoes, and backpacks. Plus the new pencil cases, folders, pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, and all the other little things that they loved. They would meticulously pick out their clothes for the first day of school and I would lay them out so the boys could find them easily the next day. There was one year they were so excited to go back, they got dressed the night before after their baths (shoes included) and slept on the floor together in their new clothes. They were definitely on time the next day - a little wrinkled, but on time.




Alex has always been my little bookworm and artist... he is working now and playing in a rock band, trying to save money to go to college... or make it big and become famous. He's already someone big and famous in my mind... but I guess I'm a little partial! His band is really good, and they play lots of local gigs and they even played several last summer on his trip down here to visit me.... They made enough money to pay for the gas in the van for the trip.





Nik has always been really athletic and artistic, also. He was the one in school who would try any sport that he felt like trying. He tried football as a freshman ~ boy was I nervous ~ he did pretty good, too. Then he decided to try DIVING... something he had never done before. I have no idea what possessed him to try this, and it scared me to death every time I went to a meet and watched him jump off the board and flip and twist and turn, but he was AMAZING!!! His school even made it to the state finals that year..... WooHoo. Then he discovered GIRLS ~ no more sports, why get hurt, when you can play the guitar and have girls swoon over you??? Of course, he was really good at that, too. Now, he is in the Army National Guard, and he graduated top of his class from Basic Training, as Outstanding Soldier of the Cycle. He was the soldier picked to recite the soldiers creed to the whole graduating class, as we were sitting on the bandstand in the front row (we got special seats, and pins, and got to meet his superior officers and their wives - it was very exciting as they said wonderful things about Nik). When Nik began speaking to the crowd, I turned to Bill and said, "Who is that man?", to which Bill replied, "That MAN is your son!" Talk about being proud.



So, no school shopping, no getting ready for the first day, no picking out backpacks and pencils. Instead, Alex is picking out clothes for Rock n' Roll gigs and working hard to buy his girlfriend gifts, and put gas in his car. Nik is getting ready to be deployed to Afghanistan in November ~ talk about anxiety for a mommy. They will both be visiting, hopefully, in October, and I will be taking LOTS of pictures to pass on. All and all I can say, I miss the things I did with them as little boys, but I so very proud of the men they have become!



Until next time..... Lorie

Sunday Stealing: Jodi's Meme



Today we ripped this meme off a blogger known as Jodi from the blog Moody Blue.


INSTRUCTIONS: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Post as "Jodi's Meme: My Life According to AC/DC":


-Are you a male or female? "Girl Got Rhythm"

-Describe yourself. "Live Wire"

-How do you feel right now? "Shot Down in Flames"

-If you could go anywhere, where would you go? "Sin City"

-Your favorite form of transportation. "Rock n Roll Train"

-Describe Your Morning Routine. "Whiskey on the Rocks" and "Givin the Dog a Bone"

-Your best friend is. "Boogie Man"

-What's the weather like. "Get it Hot"

-Pet Peeve? "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"

-If your life was a TV show, what would it be called. "You Shook Me All Night Long"

-Your relationship. "Cover You in Oil"

-Your Fear. "Highway to Hell"

-What is the best advice you have to give? "Shake Your Foundations"

-If you could change your name, you would change it to. "Whole Lotta Rosie"

-What do you say when you are frustrated? "Hells Bells"

-Thought for the day. "To Those About to Rock: We Salute You!"

-How you would like to die. "Touch Too Much"

-Your soul's present condition. "Spellbound"

-Your motto. "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Thursday Challenge: Curved ~ I'm Late (Of Course)

This meme is one that my friend Maria from Maria's Space (you should all be familiar with her by now - she is FABULOUS!!) turned me on to:

This week the Thursday Challenge called for Curved photos. Head over and check out some photos of "CURVED" (Roads, Buildings, Shapes, Bowed, Arch, Bubbles,...) or join in with your own.

Here is my contribution... it is the sunrise over the Alps from 30,000 ft in the air:


Until next time..... Lorie

$25.00 T.J. Maxx Gift Card

My friend Crystal over at Simply Being Mommy is hosting a wonderful giveaway, just in time for back to school... You have a chance to win a $25.oo gift card to T.J. Maxx!! Head on over to her site to see exactly how you can enter, there are multiple ways... Good luck.

While you are there, look around, she always has lots of tips on how to save money, plus great reviews on things for kids, plus great posts about her family. I visit her blog just about every day, and she is one of my faithful visitors. She has been really wonderful at helping me develop my blog, so I am a little partial to her blog, but don't let that influence you, she really is a terrific writer and a super sweet woman. Have fun reading Simply Being Mommy.

Until next time..... Lorie.

Are You a Bargain Shopper???

I took this really cute survey... turns out I'm a pretty savvy shopper!! See how you do:
Bargain Shopper and Beyond
Based on your score, you are a bargain hunter. You seek out any and every bargain you can and are the go-to person for friends and family who need help learning how to shop smart.
Take this Poll at KnowledgeStop.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Back 2 School Blog Bash 2009! at 3 Boys & a Dog!!

Back 2 School Blog Bash
The blog site 3 Boys & a Dog is hosting a huge Back to School bash by having a month long giveaway during September... with a ton of sponsors. Go on over to the site a take a look and see all about it and see how you can participate.
Good luck..... Until next time..... Lorie

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

The Simple Women's Daybook Meme



Outside my window ~ Bright sunshine, very hot, going to get some thundershowers later... it is August in central Florida after all. :-)

I am thinking ~ I wish my children and Del, Deb and Colby lived closer... it was really stressful to be down here alone when Bill was so sick. I really could have used them near me.

I am thankful for ~ Bill surviving his surgery and not being as sick as he was, and the fact that he doesn't require any further surgery (or worse a transplant) for his liver.

From the learning rooms ~ Never stop reading and trying to learn something new every day, you are NEVER too old to learn something.

From the kitchen ~ The Hubs was craving chocolate cake the other day, so I made a chocolate cake!

I am wearing ~ A brown sundress with bronze and white trim, and I'm barefoot, as usual.

I am creating ~ I'm trying to work on several different types of photo collections in my computer. Animals, nature, faces, some in color and some monochromatic, all inspired by my friend Maria.

I am going ~ a little stir crazy because of both The Hubs and I recuperating from illnesses since last November, it is really getting a little OLD!!

I am reading ~ The Mighty Queens of Freeville (just finished) and The Four Corners of the Sky,

I am hoping ~ That Bill gets well, finally gets his kidney stone taken care of (another problem yet to be dealt with), I get my neck surgery done and over with... then we can take a nice vacation and and finally feel better. (Winning the lottery would be nice, too.)

I am hearing ~ "Nash Bridges" on TV; Bill on the desktop; and Nano snoring.

Around the house ~ WAY too much laundry to do; too many books I want to read; too many emails to answer.

One of my favorite things ~ Snuggling up with The Hubs.

A few plans for the rest of the week ~ Do some laundry, grocery shop on Friday, maybe breakfast on Sunday with my friend Jill.

Here is picture thought I am sharing ~ The two people I love most:


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Living Rooms Direct - Area Rug Review

If you recall, I told you I would be reviewing this beautiful rug from Living Rooms Direct. This company has TONS of dining room furniture, plus all kinds of accessories, including things for the breakfast nook along with items for both your indoor and outdoor dining space, at prices to fit EVERY ONE'S budget!!


Well, the rug arrive within days of my ordering it... so quickly, in fact, that Bill was still in the hospital, and I really did not have the time to even LOOK at it, let alone take it out of the packaging. I literally, just dropped it on the dining room table all rolled up, and left it there for THREE days.


When Bill got home from the hospital and I finally took it out of the plastic wrapping, my first thought was, GREAT, how long is this gonna take to lay flat? I couldn't believe it when it simply just unrolled out of the package and went right down FLAT. I was impressed.



Next, I ~ along with Nano's help ~ as he believes anything that comes in the mail or from UPS or FedEx belongs to him ~ inspected the rug for any loose threads (NONE); and the edging and the backing to see how it was made. I am thrilled to report that it is very tightly woven and the edges are sewn very well and do not appear to have any flaws or look as if it will unravel anytime soon. Nano seems to agree with me................


We originally got the rug to sit under the ottoman of the recliner that Bill falls asleep in front of watches TV in and I work on my laptop in. This way the ottoman doesn't slide when I put my feet up on it. The rug is the perfect color and size for our room.... When it arrived, we put it down, and YES, the color was just right, and the size, EVEN BETTER (I sound like Goldilocks). However, it seems someone else in the house had other plans.......

Nano has commandeered the new rug as his own... apparently it is also extremely comfortable!

The only drawback I have with the rug is that it has to be dry cleaned as it is 100% wool, but, because it is only 2' x 3' it really should not be that expensive. Also, Nano doesn't shed, so we really shouldn't have to have it cleaned that often; and it can be spot cleaned if necessary with warm soapy water.

We do use the rug for it's original purpose, and are genuinely pleased with the quality and look of this rug. It is perfect for what we needed it for and then some. I would like to thank Suzanne Turnbull and CNS Stores for providing me with this rug to review. Nano would also like to thank them, as it is now his resting place in the family room, whether Bill is watching TV or I am working on the laptop.
The only compensation received for this review is the product received for the review ~ the opinions expressed in the review are those of the reviewer only and are not in any way influenced by the company providing the product. Thank you, Lorie.






Monday, August 17, 2009

Charity for Disabled Soldiers



Leonard Timm, a resident of the small community where I live, Celebration, Fl, has co-founded a charity called Disability Rights Advocates For Technology (DRAFT).

http://www.draft.org/

One of the programs of this agency is to provide a Segway to every American soldier whose ability to walk has been impaired by an injury incurred while serving our country.

The Mission of DRAFT:
(from their website)

"Disability Rights Advocates for Technology, DRAFT, represents people with disabilities who refuse to be defined by their disability and whose passionate enthusiasm for participating in life’s activities is supported by Universal Design and new and emerging technologies.

We provide advocacy and education services as an advocate for the adoption of Universally Designed Technology Solutions. We believe they are the only sustainable approach for continued improvement in quality of life issues affecting people with disabilities and senior citizens.

The opportunities these solutions offer for extending the independent life of the baby boomer generation and people with disabilities will provide extraordinary benefits to our society as a whole.

The issues focused on by DRAFT affect every citizen of the United States regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or income level."

DRAFT has also received The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence which is awarded to members of Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. The standards include those required by the U.S. Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world.

Please take the time to check out this charity and see what they are doing for the wonderful men and women who have sacraficed so much for our country, and if you have a little bit left in your budget in these tough times... consider a donation.

Thanks for taking the time to hear me out...

Until next time..... Lorie
PHOTOS COURTESY: DRAFT

Saturday, August 15, 2009

BEAUTIFUL Earring GIveaway - Ends 8/27/09

You've heard me talk about my friend Maria before over at Maria's Space ~~ well August 14th was her 43rd birthday ~~ so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA!!!

To celebrate, she is offering US a chance at winning a beautiful pair of earrings that SHE created ~ she is truly an artist. She has recently opened a shop on ETSY called Street Angel, and I am so proud of her!! She has such gorgeous things on the site, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more... please take a look, you won't be disappointed.

Head over to her blog, and find out how you can win these beautiful earrings she has made... Good luck!

Until next time..... Lorie

ReesSpace

This Template was custom created by Bloggy Blog Designz Copyright © 2010