Happy New Year

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone already. To be perfectly honest, I am not going to miss 2007 - it was a tough year.

Between Frankie moving out, Mark having cancer surgery, and me breaking my kneecap, it was challenging - physically and emotionally. Then throw in the fact that our illustrious government has nearly destroyed our economy, and it was a pretty miserable year. But, as always, we managed to survive.

Despite our best efforts, we - like most Americans - will be starting 2008 financially worse off. Even though we don't incur debt for the holidays, we are facing hardships. The cost-of-living increases are the lowest I've seen in almost 4 years. They never approach the actual increase in the price of everything, but now the gap has widened even further.

On the plus side, it makes New Year's resolutions really easy!

• With less money for dining out, I can hone my cooking skills;
• With less money for groceries, I can start that diet I've been avoiding;
• With less money for gasoline, I can start getting more exercise;
• With less money for phones and Internet, I can get back into writing cards and letters;
• With less money for cards and stationery, I can develop my design skills.

So, you see, there's always a bright side. Sometimes you just have to look really hard to find it.

May 2008 bring you and yours health, happiness, peace, and love!







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.

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We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Paint Your Life

I've heard of this before. Actually, I saw it on a Gilmore Girls episode, but I really didn't know it was this easy to do. You can have a painting made, from a photograph, that looks absolutely amazing. Just imagine what an incredible anniversary gift a family portrait would be for your parents or grandparents.

No longer do you have to coordinate everyone's schedule and set aside huge amounts of time for sittings. Not to mention, there's no need to settle for a run-of-the-mill setting. Simply upload your favorite photograph, choose the medium you prefer (oil, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, pencil, or mosaic), and let the artist do the rest.

Paint Your Life is incredibly easy to navigate. No confusing menus or hard to find information. They also have very strict quality controls, and you always get to review and approve the artwork, before you make the final payment. Really a great idea.




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

Migraine

Not everything we receive over the holidays is welcome. Those few extra pounds, from all of the wonderful goodies we've eaten, manage to follow us into the New Year. The stress of trying to do it all brings on exhaustion, post-holiday illness, and, in my case, a migraine headache.

This year has been especially fun. The cold I usually catch on or about New Year's Eve decided to visit early - stay longer - and share itself with Mark. Now that it's showing signs of leaving, my holiday headache is starting to settle in. Undoubtedly, by this time tomorrow, I'll be tucked into bed in a dark room.

One of these years, I'll learn.




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

NORAD Tracks Santa

Ever since I was small, there were tracking reports on Santa's progress. We used to listen intensely to the radio, just waiting to hear when Santa made it to our state, then our county. Mom would rush us off to bed with admonishments that Santa wouldn't come if we were awake.

Now, tracking Santa has gone high tech. NORAD has a website where you and your little ones can actually watch Santa get closer to your house. If that's not enough, Google Earth has added a Santa Tracker that you can download to see Santa and his reindeer in 3D, and more of his stops around the world.

Bring the excitement of Christmas Eve right into your own home. Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!






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

Arlington at Christmas

This is beautiful.



Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...





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

Pets for Christmas

At this time of year, puppies and kittens are popular gifts. That means that puppy and kitten mills have been stepping up breeding programs to stock pet stores. A recent Humane Society investigation found that even upscale pet stores, like California’s Pets of Bel Air boutique, get their animals from puppy mills.

I am asking, begging actually, that if you have decided to buy your child or grandchild a pet for Christmas - don't go to the pet store, unless you know exactly where they get their puppies and kittens. In fact, with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, why not hold off until after the first of the year? Without holiday plants and ornaments, your home will be safer; without people rushing in and out, your home will be calmer.

If you're certain that you're able to devote plenty of time and attention to a new member in your family, here are some simple ideas.

Check your local paper - there are people, breeding animals responsibly, who would love to help you share your life and love with a warm, fuzzy friend. Try Pet Net USA or Pet Net Canada to find an individual with puppies or kittens.

Visit the breeder. Are the animals allowed to roam their home, or are they crammed into cages? Is the home/cattery clean? Are the 'babies' clean and healthy-looking? Observe the parent animals. Do they seem happy and well-adjusted or skittish and easily frightened, even unfriendly? Are they caring for the young animals or has the breeder separated the generations?

We all want to stop puppy and kitten mills. More than that, consider that animal shelters become filled with unwanted animals, shortly after the holidays. Impulse pet purchases, made with the glow of the holiday spirit, become real responsibilities after the tree comes down.

Dogs and cats live 10 years or more. They need food, exercise, health care, and lots of loving attention - for all of their lives. Please be sure that you, and your children, are willing to provide a lifetime of care, before you bring home that fuzzy friend.






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

Merry Christmas!

It's easy to get caught up in the rush and commercialization of the season. What doesn't seem to be easy is remembering the true purpose behind the Christmas season. Santa Claus, in all his personifications, came about much later than Jesus Christ, and for an entirely different purpose. Let us not confuse the two men.

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Bring the Christ back into Christmas!





We look forward to seeing you online.

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?






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

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.





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

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.






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

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?!






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

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

Christmas Shopping

In order to keep the insanity to a bare minimum, Mark and I have started our Christmas shopping early this year. Rather than worry about availability and cash flow, we decided to pick up a gift here and a gift there. That way I don't have everything to wrap at once, either.

If you'd like to de-stress your shopping, here are a few of my favorite Partners-In-Shopping and some great ideas to get you started:

Need Stocking Stuffers?




For all of the little ones on your list:





Don't arrive empty-handed. Choose the perfect hostess gift:






Stop by our other Affiliate Partners for more holiday help. I know you'll find something you love.






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

Happy Halloween!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!



Every year we buy candy to hand out and every year we end up with a lot of leftover candy. It's difficult for me to decide if that's a bad thing or a good thing. Of course, when I have to lie down and use a shoe-horn to get into my favorite jeans - the answer becomes much clearer. Still - I do love dem goodies!

Be sure to check your candy and watch out for the little ones! Keep it a SAFE and Happy Halloween!






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

Upside-Down Christmas Tree

A few years ago, when we moved into this apartment, I bought a two-and-a-half foot fiberoptic tree. It has multiple tips on each branch that sparkle in ever changing colors. Really cute, but not exactly Mark's idea of the perfect tree. Quite by accident, I wandered onto Hammacher Schlemmer's Christmas tree pages and knew that I would be buying a new tree this year.


Just out of curiosity, I had to take a look at an upside down Christmas tree. These are the wildest trees I think I've ever seen. Little did I know that the design actually comes from a Central European tradition.

Not only does it allow for putting a tree in a smaller space or even a corner, you can pile a lot more presents (hint. hint.) underneath. One thing I didn't think about is how the ornaments would hang away from the branches, so they'd be more visible. Very interesting tree.


One of the first artificial trees I ever saw was an aluminum tree. One of my mother's friends had a gorgeous tree, complete with a lamp with a rotating disk that sat on the floor and shined different colors on the tree.

I couldn't tell you what she had on top of the tree, but all of the balls were the same bright color and they were big. Almost as big as my eyes when I got my first look at that Christmas tree. An incredible sight, I think I still prefer my trees to be more tree-like. You know, green?


That's why I fell in love with the Pre-lit Tree. It looks so real, you can almost smell the pine. And, critical to my little apartment, it comes in a 4-foot size that is perfect for our table. This is the look for us.

Happily, the light strands are integrated so that, if one bulb fails, the rest of the lights continue to work. Not to mention, they're strung so that the cords are virtually invisible and there is only one connection from the tree to the wall socket. Rather than a bare pole that you have to stick branch after branch into, this tree has sections that open like an umbrella and only takes about 30 minutes to put together. Just fantastic!

If you're looking for a new tree or are tired of the quality of your local options, you just have to visit Hammacher Schlemmer. They have real trees, flocked trees, wall trees, white trees, tabletop trees, frosted trees, and a collection of greenery that you can place anywhere in your home for the perfect holiday decorations.

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.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Happy Birthday USA!

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.


We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

To All the Dads Out There

God Bless!

Jules

Let Us Not Forget

Have a Blessed
Memorial Day Weekend


And


God Bless America