Whirlwind

We are all suckers for an attractive face.

The dopamine jolt brought about by the sight of a powerful chest, a strong chin and a cute nose on a symmetrical face is sometimes so powerful that it is
love at first sight and...temporary loss of sanity.

A decision to love based solely on looks is trouble.

Adrenaline is a traitor. Any emotional experience that pushes the sensory system can distort your perception.
The problem with this type of love is that you can not always trust your instincts.

And there is a price to pay for taking him home just because he is drop dead gorgeous.

But there was something about this guy.

There was something quite dignified about his arrogance that attracted me to him.

I was not even looking.

I was still reeling from a past hurt--so I definitely was not ready for him.

I knew nothing about him.
Nothing.

I did not know what experiences he may have had.

How he was raised,

who his parents were--nor how he got along with his siblings, if any.

I had no idea what he would be like in different times of the day

or whether he'd be cranky when tired or hungry.

Heck, it would have been nice if I had known beforehand that he snored.
So, it has only been while living with him, that I have gotten to know him.

It has been a rough 30 days to get to where we are today but the benefits of working hard on a relationship instead of giving up, far outweigh the sleepless nights, the pain and the tears.

I have found the following tips helpful in improving my relationship with him:

*Give attention to the positive--praise anything you want to see more of.

*Do not call his name just to reprimand him so that he does not associate your call with something unpleasant.

*During walks or disagreements, instead of pulling the opposite way--stop.
Wait for him to stop pulling. And then proceed. It works like magic.

*Stand your ground yet give him his space. Having a life of your own that includes him but does not revolve around him makes your relationship balanced and stress free. That you always come back builds trust.

*Make sure he gets plenty of stimulation and exercise.

Video of our rough relationship HERE.

Video of our present relationship HERE.

15 years later, I wonder if these tips are applicable to me and my husband Steve.

Happy Anniversary, Steve--I love you.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Drops

Makes about 36

1/2 cup butter
2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup milk (or evaporated milk)
pinch of salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats

Line two baking sheets with waxed paper. In a large heavy saucepan combine the butter, brown sugar, milk, and salt. Bring mixture to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Without stirring, let mixture boil for exactly 3 minutes. Immediately remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until peanut butter has melted. Quickly stir in the oats, mix well. Working fast, drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Allow to cool and become firm, about 30 minutes. Makes 3-4 dozen cookies.

Happy Birthday Dawn!

Happy Birthday Dawn!

Join Blog Action Day Chain

We have a month to go until Blog Action Day. Have you joined the Blog Action Day Chain at A Writer's Edge Join in and receive a link on the front page of that blog.

First sign up at blogactionday.org. Then write a post with a link to http://www.writers-edge.info/2008/08/writing-for-blog-action-day.htm (the original call). Let me know that you have joined. That's all there is to it! Instant fame, fortune, and good will follow.

A short fun quiz from Maunie!!!!

Questions and Answers:
1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says: “. Oh! Oh God, I thought

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first? bookcase

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? news

WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what time it is: 7:1 5.

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time? 7:18

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? Slow rock music:) I’m the only one awake! Penny crying for treats...spoiled cat..

7. When was the last time you went out...for what? went up to N.H. and Maine looking at houses.

8. Before you came to this website, what did you look at? read the Boston Herald

9. What are you wearing? old tee shirt of hubby's...panties

10. Did you dream last night? sure...the one about the huge wave coming right at me and I am the only one on shore

11. When did you last laugh? In the car yesterday...hubby was doing his really terrible impersonations.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? three stuffed trout...hubbies and the two boys

13. Seen anything weird lately? just me...in the mirror

14. What do you think of this quiz? Fun!

15. What is the last movie you saw? Michael Clayton...very good

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first? Hmm…BAGS!!!! Lot’s of Designer BAGS!!!

17. Tell me something about you that I don’t know: Secret;) I have a problem with credit cards.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? I can’t change anything just like that but I am more concerned about the starving needy children in the USA I'd make sure they were helped first.

19. Do you like to dance? Yeah love to dance

.20. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? a boy? Laurea Lou, Cosmo D.

21. Would you ever consider living abroad? Sure but not forever.


Spread the words ladies!

A Tought To Ponder

"You have your brush,

you have your colors,

you paint your paradise,

then in you go."

(- Nikos Kazantzakis -)

Progress of the Right Kind

Back in May, I launched a blog with the primary intent of posting nothing but contests featuring book giveaways. I did this for purely selfish reasons: I wanted to know what books were being passed around the blogosphere, and I was losing patience with the fact that there didn't seem to be a dedicated book contest blogs.

With four other friends, I launched Win a Book.

We've since expanded the focus a little bit, posting about sales and freebies, along with great blog posts by or interviews with authors who are hot at the moment, or who are favorites in the giveaway arena.

It's a fun blog to maintain. I'm meeting some really great readers, people who are open to trying almost anything new when it comes to reading.

And now, I wanted to take a minute and brag. My Friend Amy truly is a friend to book bloggers. She declared September 15-19 to be Book Blogger Appreciation Week, and in anticipation of this first-ever event (that I know of, anyway), she asked her readers to nominate their favorite blogs in a number of categories.

Win a Book was included her in last-minute-creation of the "Most Altruistic Blog" category.

I am thrilled. I'm thrilled that the hard work we've put into this blog is being recognized. I'm thrilled that it's understood we're not doing this to get an in on contests, or to do nothing but promote our own blogs -- or books.

Anyway, I wanted everyone to know how well this small-focus blog is doing. I invite you all to stop in and check it out. And, of course, I invite you all to get involved in Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Head on over to My Friend Amy's site and vote -- I'll never know if you vote for Win a Book or not -- as there are many categories to vote in, and many great blogs that have been included.

My personal blog has been nominated for awards before, and every time, I've just been flattered that I've been thought of. Sometimes, the nomination truly is the honor.

Vote Via this link.

Visit Win a Book via this link.

And come hang out with those nutty rock bands at my personal blog via this link.

On the horns od another dilemma by Maunie

Okay dear friends I need your input again.

The doctor called and I have a badly ruptured disc and one that's basically on it's way.

Three years ago I had back surgery to remove three discs.


I really don't want to go through that again.

Physical therapy does nothing for me but make me hurt more.

Do any of you have experience with acupuncture?

Read a long article about it last night and if it would avoid surgery I will be all for it..

I don't want to wait too long as I did last time.

So fellow blogger I am in a quandary..

If you have had experience with it let me know. Even if it was a friend of a friend.

I know, I know, with me it's always something...

love and trust you all. What should I do?

Some pictures from the Desert Museum

I love Sunflowers..Just had to take the picture of the Sunflower that i found at the Desert Museum...

I took some pictures on Saturday when we were at The Desert Museum which is near Tucson..We live about 45 minutes away..The Desert Museum is a living museum with live animals..We go there a few time a year because the kids love the place so much and they get to see the type of animals that live in the desert of Arizona...

I actually got to take a picture of a live Duck that actually stood still for a change...


We were in the bird aviary when i saw this bird resting for the night...I have a few more pictures, but i am going to put those up over at purplefrogcat blog soon...

Maunie has handed out an award

Maunie has handed out her first award..The award was made by Santa for Maunie to hand out...Check out Maunie`s World to see if you get one..I know some of the Blue Ribbon Bloggers here get one and a few others from the blog world get one..Isn`t the award cute? Thank you Maunie for handing this award out!