Wedding Flowers

As many of you know, Mark and I are planning to get married - one of these days, when we have time to actually put together a wedding. We have a lot of ideas about what we want. A lot of general ideas.

Beyond where, when, and what we'll be wearing, wedding flowers - truly - are one of my biggest priorities. You see, we've both been married before. Surprised, aren't you?! But I never really got to plan my perfect wedding and Mark never really wanted to.

This time we're going to do it our way and I just can't wait to put together my wedding bouquet. I am leaning, heavily, toward tulips; preferably in the lavender-to-purple color range. The more I think about it, I want dark purple tulips - with baby's breath in the bouquet and in my hair. Mark's birthstone is amethyst, as is the ring he gave me, so dark purple is almost required.

Wow! Who would have thought that the thought of wedding flowers could inspire so much?




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God Bless!

Jules

Blogsvertise.com

In my travels around the Internet - yes, I've been shopping again - I found an interesting site for Bloggers. Called Blogsvertise.com, it's a great way for me to earn a little extra holiday money while doing what I do anyway - blog, blog, blog. The process is simple and easy.

If you have a blog already, just register for free and follow the instructions. Naturally, there is a review process, so approval takes, on average, 24 hours. But, would you really want to associate with an organization that was cavalier about who could work with them? Besides, a day or two isn't all that bad, in the whole scheme of things.

There are a lot of things to like about Blogsvertise.com. First, the rules and guidelines are truly simple. You choose the 'tone' of your blog post; this isn't blatant advertising. It's also not the 'Great American Novel.' You aren't required to do more than mention a particular website, include 3 links to that website, and write 2-3 paragraphs - about 75 words or so. Now that's easy. (I've already written more than that, just telling you this much.)

Secondly, even if you don't currently have an active blog you can still participate. It will just take a couple of extra steps. You'll need to create a blog or online journal and start writing. No duh, huh? But Blogsvertise.com has a list of free software and sites to help get you started. Once you're set up and have some posts to show off, you can register for an account.

Naturally, newer blogs or blogs without a lot of regular activity may have a probationary period. Payments may be lower, or assignments may be fewer, until there are about 60 days worth of activity. I know that I was flat-out denied by a site before I starting writing regularly. So, that's not a big surprise.

Believe me, when you're keeping an online journal or blog anyway, it's dead easy to work with Blogsvertise.com and generate a little spending money for yourself.





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God Bless!

Jules

Exciting News

JMark Afghans, etc. has partnered with several exciting companies to bring amazing products to our customers. Over the last few weeks, some of these organizations have made some changes, so JMark Afghans has made some changes, as well. I am thrilled to be able to tell you about two (2) of our newest partners.

First, welcome FragranceNet.com! Personally, I have been doing business with them for years. In fact, it's the only place I purchase my favorite scents. You just can't beat the amazing prices, huge selection, and exquisite quality of the perfumes, colognes, and bath sets.




Our newest partner, has me really excited - Diabetic Living Diet! Ever since Mark started having problems with his blood sugar, I've been looking for effective, reasonably-priced dietary help. Today, we partnered with this amazing organization that has everything I was looking for - and much, much more. They have healthy recipes, and tips and information for living with diabetes.




Please stop by our newest Shopping Friends and explore the wonderful products they have to help you feel fantastic - outside and inside!






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God Bless!

Jules

Website Optimization

I received a call today from a gentleman who wanted to help me optimize my website. Not necessarily a bad idea - except for the fact that the example site he sent me to was actually less optimized than my home page. Add to that the fact that he had never heard of Google PageRank and didn't understand what the Alexa traffic numbers mean, and you've got someone who really needs to do a little more homework before calling site owners.

So, if you have a website of your own and get a call from someone who tells you that they can help you improve what you've done - be very careful.






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God Bless!

Jules

Turkey Leftovers

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We definitely were more stuffed than the bird. Since I'm the only one in the family who eats stuffing, we've done away with that tradition. But we've added Pineapple Upside-Down Cake to our holiday table, which is so yummy. Somehow, I just don't miss the stuffing, when I'm munching on that cake!

Now, we've got leftovers to deal with. Mark makes a delicious turkey-and-gravy-over-biscuits that's good for one meal. But, when you start out with a 13 pound bird, that's a lot of turkey meals awaiting.

Any good recipes out there that you'd like to share?






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God Bless!

Jules

FreeRice.com

A friend of our sent us this link - FreeRice.com. For every definition you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice throughout the United Nations, in an effort to end world hunger. What a great way to practice your vocabulary!

Not all of the words are exactly easy. Some are older in usage, and some are medical. As you work through the list, your vocabulary level increases and decreases. Mine went up pretty fast, then went down even faster! lol

By the time my brain decided it had had enough, I had donated almost 2,000 grains of rice and gotten some well-needed mental exercise.






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God Bless!

Jules

Series 7 Exam

I couldn't believe all of the different exams required in order to work in the securities / stock industry. Not every position has to pass every exam. But, for example, in order to work as a General Securities Sales Supervisor, an individual has to pass the Series 9/10 ~ after passing the Series 7.

The Series 7 exam is the NASD/NYSE test required for registered representatives by most broker-dealers. While there are no prerequisites to this exam, the Series 63 or Series 66 exam is a co-requisite. That's a lot of information to learn. If it were me, I'd want all of the help I could get.

That's where Empire Stockbroker comes in. They offer classroom training, home study materials, and an online testing program designed to help individuals pass, whatever exam they're taking, the first time. Since the Series 7, alone, is 260 multiple-choice questions, with 3 hours allowed to complete each half, I certainly wouldn't want to have to take it more than once.

If your career requires NASD/NASAA licensing, why not trust the company whose instructors have actually taken and passed the exams themselves?




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God Bless!

Jules

Race to Stop Global Warming

From Care2.com:

Welcome to Care2.com's Race to Stop Global Warming!

Once per day, you can click for free to slow global warming by offsetting one pound of carbon, a greenhouse gas.

To offset even more greenhouse gases, please get your friends involved. Forward this message to let friends know that when they click on the Race, Care2 will pay to offset one pound of their personal carbon emissions - up to once per day.

Carbon, and other greenhouse gases, released into the air by power plants and cars
contribute to global warming. Each day, you can take a small step in slowing global warming by offsetting some of your emissions. Just go to: http://stopglobalwarming.care2.com

Be sure to tell your friends!

Thanks!
Care2.com

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God Bless!

Jules

Great Stocking Stuffers

Every year, since I can remember, I have included some kind of basic toiletries in everybody's stocking - new toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shaving cream and razors for the guys. Nothing too exciting, but something necessary for each person. Then, came the fun stuff - depending on how much room was left.

This year, I got to sample some great cheap stocking stuffers, so the fun stuff comes first! I am really looking forward to everyone's face on Christmas morning.

For example, Smencils - Gourmet Scented Pencils are just the coolest. Made from recycled newspaper, with each layer soaked in scent, they save trees and smell great for the entire length of the pencil. The eraser is biodegradable and the metal 'thingy' that holds the pencil together is recyclable, as is the individual container that each Smencil comes in.

I love the Color Flames Colored Candles, too. I've seen a lot of different candle styles over the years, but different color flames on each candle is just too great. Birthdays around here are going to be a lot more festive - I promise! Heck, I may just use them to perk up every day desserts.

We haven't tried the Insta Snow - Fake Snow Powder yet. I'm waiting until we get the decorations out of storage, so I can use the 'snow' to decorate. We have a small fiber-optic tree that I think would be really cute with a little snow cover. Can you imagine the snow changing color with the different lights on the tree? I can! and I can't wait to see it.





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God Bless!

Jules

Carrot Cake and Banana Bread

Even with Mark's diabetes, we keep cake (of some sort) in the fridge for dessert. One small piece of cake doesn't seem to have any more effect on his blood sugar than a plate of pasta would. And, this way, no one feels deprived.

Today he mentioned being hungry for carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or banana bread. I've made banana bread before (a long time ago) and it's really simple. But I've never tried carrot cake, so I went looking for a recipe. What a pain!

Since I love the shows, I decided to search FoodNetwork.com. The recipes were great - I found the 2 that I wanted - but the site is slower than molasses in January. Apparently, they have so many ads supporting their site, it takes forever for the pages to load.

Great food - crappy site.






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God Bless!

Jules

Business Loan

One of the most difficult things about starting a business, and keeping it afloat, can be cash flow. In order to expand your company, you may need more employees, more inventory, or both. Eventually, your credit cards get maxed or the interest and payments become a financial burden to your business.

A debt-consolidation business loan could be just what your company needs. Before you run to the local bank, check out EZUnsecured.com. They have the products that will help you get out from under unmanageable debt. Combine all of your loan and/or credit card balances into one monthly payment, at a lower interest rate than you currently pay, without putting your assets at risk.

Best of all, the easy process, fast funding, and great service will have you in great financial shape before you know it.




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God Bless!

Jules

Ask Annie

I really like Care2.com. They have a tremendous news network, links to petitions that urge politicians to support the environment, and great ideas for Green Living - especially Ask Annie.

Are you looking for a non-toxic oven cleaner? Need a natural way to clean the spots and stains off your stainless pans, sink, and toaster? Is there a safe nail polish on the market? Looking for a natural skin toner, hydrating mask, or even hair spray?

Just Ask Annie. I'm going back to find out how to get rid of scale on my shower doors and what natural cleaner is best to ungunk my oven.






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God Bless!

Jules

Business Greeting Cards

This is the time of the year when families and businesses start thinking about holiday cards. If you usually order special cards, this is the time to get busy picking your 2007 Christmas card. The Gallery Collection has hundreds of styles to help you.

This year, in the spirit of the season, The Gallery Collection is sponsoring a Christmas cards scholarship contest for high school and college students. Simply use your creativity - original photos, artwork, or computer graphics are all welcome - and design a corporate Christmas card. The prize? A $10,000 scholarship!

Personally, I think that the Christmas Photo Cards are just beautiful. There is a huge selection of options, from elegant to whimsical, that serve as the perfect frame for a special holiday picture. Why not have a look and create a new card that evokes your idea of the spirit of the holidays?




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God Bless!

Jules

Happy Birthday to Me! (A Little Early)

Yes, it's obvious and probably in very poor taste. But my birthday is November 20th and I will be . . . older. (You didn't really think I was going to tell you my age, did you?!)


For those of you who have an overwhelming need to shop at the drop of a hat, I don't much like jewelry - with the exception of bangle watches and thumb rings. Chocolates are a bad idea, because then Mark will be tempted. I don't even buy myself clothes, so that's no good. Hmmmm . . . I am difficult, aren't I?!


Well, I guess you'll just have to send a card! Only Kidding!







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God Bless!

Jules

Isn't a Fractured Knee Enough?

You would think that limping around with a fractured left kneecap would be enough pain, but noooo! I had to sprain / break my little toe on my left foot to add to the joy. It is a really pretty shade of purple, for what it's worth.

Apparently, when I'm tired, I swing my left leg to the side, instead of lifting it and stepping straight forward. Not a good thing in this little apartment full of lots of big stuff. A couple of nights ago, I was walking from the living room to the bathroom, past the portable washing machine. Well, the theory was to move past the washing machine. I didn't quite make it and it felt like I tried to rip the little toe off my foot.

That purple I mentioned? It goes up both sides, and across the top of my foot from the little toe to the toe beside it. Did I mention that the toe is the size of a Vienna sausage? Oh, yes! It's just lovely!






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God Bless!

Jules

Fundraising Ideas

The kids are back in school and the holidays are right around the corner. It's prime fundraising time. In fact, most charitable organizations probably receive the majority of their donations in the last 3 months of the year.

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to come up with new, successful ideas. Whether you're working on school fundraisers, church fundraisers, or helping your favorite charity, the more exciting and original your ideas are, the more interest you can expect from donors. Me personally? I wouldn't have a clue where to start.

I count on sites like USAFundraising.com to help me find something to jump-start my creative processes. Not only do they offer general tips, letters, and tools, there are specific ideas for using food, gifts, magazines, or scratchcards to help meet your organization's goals. I particularly liked the section on online fundraising. It even includes a how-to article about creating a website for your group.

All in all, there are a lot of really great ideas to kick-start any campaign. And, if you've got a program that worked for your charity or organization, you can share it here. It's no wonder USAFundraising.com is one of the leading online fundraising resources.





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God Bless!

Jules

Thanksgiving Traditions

Every family has holiday traditions - whatever the holiday. What about Thanksgiving? Does your family shun the standard turkey for a standing rib roast? (If so, can I come for dinner?!) Or a luscious smoked ham?

We stay pretty traditional, with the good ol' bird. But Mark likes to make pineapple upside-down cake and we definitely don't do yams. I just have never developed a taste for them, even with melted marshmallows all over the top.

Have to have some pie - so I usually make at least one pumpkin for Mark and sometimes a fruit pie for me. (Not much of a winter squash person, myself.) I'm the only one who gets jazzed about cranberry sauce, so that's a bit of a debate every year. But I have faith that I'll get everyone hooked - eventually!

Both of our families did brown-and-serve rolls, so that's an easy part of our menu. We also put together a relish plate with carrot sticks, stuffed celery, pickles, olives, and whatever we can think of to throw on it. Can't forget the mashed potatoes and gravy, and some sort of veggie. I'm the only real veggie eater, so it's always fun trying to find something that everyone will eat.

Oh, and Mark's famous deviled eggs. I hate eggs and those things are so good I could make a meal out of them. Even the boys love them, and that's quite a feat.

So, as you can see - we put together a huge spread for Thanksgiving. We end up sharing with friends, so nothing goes to waste. It's just nice to be able to do it.






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God Bless!

Jules

City Guides

Have you ever been to Steamboat Springs? It's an amazing resort, high in the mountains of Colorado. I have to admit, it's been years since I visited, so I know a lot has changed.

That's why the USA Hotel Guide is so great. You don't have to know everything about the place you'd like to visit. Just look up the city and explore the information.

For example, on the Steamboat Springs page, I got a history of this beautiful area, the best things to do there and where - exactly - to find the hot springs. There's information about hotels, in and around the city; outdoor and indoor activities in the area; and where to pre-purchase your ski or snowboard rental for the big trip.

If you're planning a vacation, but can't decide where to visit, why not start with the city guides that give you all the information you need?




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God Bless!

Jules

Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe that it's been six years since I stepped off that bus from Michigan. If you're planning to move here from a cooler climate, I would strongly recommend you do it in November. The weather is just perfect - highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. It's a refreshing change from the cold, but it gives you at least 6 months before the 100s and higher start melting your socks.

So many things have happened and so many things have changed in 6 years. From Mark's transplant, to the boys moving here, to the cancer surgery - it's been a wild ride. I just hope we have lots more time together - without life-threatening diseases. Please?!






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God Bless!

Jules

Great Gifts For A Good Cause

I hope that you'll visit this incredible site, for a number of reasons. Primarily, a portion of every item sold by JacarandaStyle is donated to a school in South Africa. The Ethembeni School serves 300 physically disabled and visually impaired students. Amazingly, a few children from the school even get to come here and run the New York City marathon, each year.


Just look at some of the beautiful items that are available on JacarandaStyle. The website curator, who lives in New York City and is married to a South African, travels frequently to that country, bringing unique, exclusive items to the world.


I, personally, am in love with the jewelry. It's just amazing and not like anything else you see in the stores. You have to see the cuffs and the beadwork. They have so many different styles that you're sure to find a couple that you just can't do without. But, then you have the ceramics, both blue and white, and fusion. This pedestal bowl, for example, is hand-painted and signed by the artist.


Like all of the ceramics I looked at, it's lead-free, safe to use for food, and able to go into the dishwasher. Between the oval and square platters, the salad and triangular bowls, and all of the brass and pewter accessories, it is so easy to set an amazing table. Whether you're celebrating the holidays or just having some of your favorite friends over, you'll love these items.




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God Bless!

Jules

New Mail Scam

Today I received a letter from a PO Box in Canada, with a $3,600+ check inside. I was assured that I had won money through an ATM Mega Promotion. This Computer Reward Program is supposed to be for all bank card holders in North America, to encourage people to use their cards more often. Can you say "SCAM"?!

It's the same type of scam that's been going around for years. The scammers send out a check for a very tempting amount, and ask that you cash it at your bank. Then you are supposed to send - via Western Union - about 95% of the check to the agent for your area to cover fees. Once you do that, they assure you that you will receive your winnings. In this case, I'm supposed to receive $120,000.00, less the sponsor's commission, or $113,400.00.

Now, let me explain a bit of the legalities - as I understand them. If you receive one of these checks and actually cash it, once the account holder becomes aware of the loss of funds - they will come after your account for the money! Guaranteed!

We have been told - our entire lives - that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If you get one of these checks, please google the account number on the bottom of the check for more information. In the case of the check I have, the account number belongs to a different company and has been used fraudulently for years.






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God Bless!

Jules

Weight Loss Diet Help

Are you trying to lose weight? I am. Somewhere in the last 6 months, or so, I managed to put on about 30 pounds. Five of them I can live with, but the other 25 have got to go. My only problem is that I've never actually tried to lose weight or tried any kind of diet plans.

Luckily, Weight Loss Diet Help has the information I need to find a plan that will work for me. By reading through the different diet options and checking out the Medifast and Nutrisystem weight loss program discount coupon codes, I can see which diet suits my personality and saves me money. Because this is all new to me, I'm concerned that I won't stick with it, so I have to have something that comes naturally to me - and Mark.

Right now, I'm leaning toward the South Beach Diet. It's something that will help Mark, too. We both need to learn how to incorporate good carbs into our meals, not just the low ones. As a carb-loader, it wouldn't do me any harm to be a bit more selective. And I really like the idea that the diet is a step-by-step process. We don't have to make drastic, immediate, permanent changes.

There are also a number of articles at Weight Loss Diet Help, in addition to the diet information, that provide really helpful tips and facts. I like Exercise and Diet For Diabetics and Weight Loss Tricks and Healthy Diet Tips. The advice is simple, no-nonsense and easy to follow.

If you have been thinking about starting a diet, this is a good place to get the practical information that you need to pick a plan and be successful.




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God Bless!

Jules

Judge Loses More Than Pants

Remember the judge that sued a dry cleaners for $54 million, over a pair of lost pants? Well, he lost his case and, more than that, he lost his job. Sounds only fair to me!

Roy Pearson's term as an administrative law judge expired on May 2nd. Officials from the District of Columbia confirmed to the AP on November 8th, that the Commission on Selection and Tenure of Administrative Law Judges has decided not to reappoint Pearson. Amazingly, he did not immediately respond to a request for comment.






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God Bless!

Jules

Insurance For EU Driving

I never really thought about this, but it has to be interesting living in EU countries and dealing with the different laws in different jurisdictions. In the United States, we have a taste of that. But, by and large, there isn't much difference between the states.

If you live and/or travel in Europe, one thing that you have to deal with is proving that you have car insurance that will cover you in each country. Not that long ago, one needed a "Green Card." It didn't offer insurance coverage, but it did document that there was a policy in place in your home country that covered you, as a driver, in any other country. Each insurance company issued these cards for policy holders who regularly drove outside their home country. Those cards are no longer required in the EU, but they are required outside EU countries.

How often do these rules change? I don't know. But I do know that it is in every driver's best interest to know what is required. How do you do that? Hold a policy with a company like Kwik-Fit Insurance, who stays on top of the requirements throughout the continent for its policy-holders.






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God Bless!

Jules

Which Cabana Do You Want?

We have an area, right outside our front window, with barbecues, picnic tables, and - on occasion - cabanas. I was looking out the window today, remembering the different looks we've had since Mark and I moved into this apartment. It's been a little schizophrenic, to say the least.

Right now, we're back to green cabanas, which went really well with the previous paint colors. But, the buildings have been repainted in shades of brown, so the green doesn't really work for me. It is, however, better than the temporary blue covers that had some Arizona college logo on them.

I know it wasn't the Sun Devils; I like those colors.






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God Bless!

Jules

Discount Dental Plans

Now that I've found a toothpaste that eliminates the pain in my teeth, I've been thinking about getting some work done. As I can't afford full price or outrageous premiums, discount dental plans are at the top of my Internet search list. Until I found DentalPlans.com, I wasn't having much success. This site understands what people want when they're trying to compare options.

I started by entering my zip code. This took me to the list of plans that are available in my area; a long list, I might add. From there, the chart told me everything - and I do mean everything - I needed to know to make an educated, cost-effective decision. Many of the listed plans are just as good as the one I had when I was employed, at about the same out-of-pocket cost, which means that they are a much better value.

Let me explain why. As a corporate employee, I was provided x-number of dollars each year with which to 'order' benefits. Of course, if you were a new employee, there was a waiting period until you were covered. The very, very basic coverages were, in essence, paid for by the company. But to upgrade services, i.e., avoid huge deductibles, the employees had to pay for the difference.

I always chose a dental plan upgrade, which meant that, each paycheck, I paid out-of-pocket fees for the better plan - lower or no deductible, lower or no charge for services. Over 6 years ago, my total annual cost was almost the same as many of the plans available at DentalPlans.com. And the coverage was, actually, not as good as some of the discount plans offered here.

If you don't have dental coverage at work, or you're paying too much for the plan that your company offers, I strongly advise that you look into these discount dental plans. Many of the ones in my area even include prescription, vision, chiropractic, and hearing plans - at the same low price. And the family enrollment fees are just as great.




Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Chorus of Remembrance

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Calendar Software

As I wrote earlier, I was on a mad hunt for computer software that would let me design a personal calendar and print it in a format that would fit my organizer. Oh - and it had to be free. Did you notice that I said "was" on a mad hunt?

Now, I have a great sense of humor - just ask anyone. There aren't many situations where I can't find something amusing, if for no other reason than to break the tension. But this software thing put a serious dent in my funny bone.

Don't get me wrong, there are some absolutely fantastic - FREE - software titles out there for creating calendars. I think I've checked out about 90% of them, so I know. But with everything I wanted - not one!

That led me to my ultimate solution:


You see, I couldn't even find replacement pages for my old organizer, so I had to take radical action. (Actually, I saw it on the shelf, fell in love with the red binder and had to have it. But don't tell anyone. K? ) Plus, this organizer fits into my purse. It can go with me everywhere and doesn't take up a huge amount of space on my mini-desk. A win-win situation!






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

LED Christmas Lights

Now this is a great idea! LED Christmas lights! There are so many reasons why it pays to upgrade your decorations this year. To start with, they use less electricity, which is one of the best recommendations I know.

You probably already know that LED lights last 50,000 hours, as opposed to about 2,000 hours for incandescent lights. LED Xmas lights also generate very little heat, so the risk of overheating and fire is virtually non-existent. Whether you need LED mini lights or LED Christmas tree lights, they come encased in an epoxy bulb that is not going to be nearly as fragile as regular glass holiday lights.

If you've ever wanted to decorate your house and yard for the holidays, but didn't want to face the outrageous electric bill, now you don't have to worry. LED holiday lights are the answer to all of your decorating needs.




Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules