Where I'll Be Living Next Month

If you didn't know, my husband just graduated Army basic training, and is currently in A.I.T training. If Uncle Sam doesn't change plans, we'll be stationed in Fort Drum in Upstate New York. I've never lived outside my home state of MS so I'm excited. I 'm pretty sure that living away from family and having more free time will give me ample motivation to return to blogging. Finally, I'll have something to write about!

I know, I know

I thought when my hubby went to boot camp I'd have plenty of time for blogging and reading blogs. Wrong wrong wrong. I have had so many review, giveaway and ad offers this month. I am just too busy to do bloggy stuff lately. The only free time I have is when my daughter naps, and I have been exercising and writing my husband during that time. (I am back to my pre-baby weight on a brighter note.) When will I be able to come back to blogging? I don't know.

Homeless Paul

Isn't it wonderful when people lost in the past resurface? Recently I found an old friend I had dubbed "Homeless Paul". He hitchhiked to Oxford, MS from Richmond, Virginia without a plan and with little money in his pocket. Must have been 14 or 15 years ago. I let him crash at my place for awhile. He was always writing everything people said down in a little notebook, which made us all feel terribly brilliant. And he played endless Elvis Costello songs on piano. I forget all the details, but somehow he ended up in a drunken semi-coma on my kitchen floor. Some of my friends called his parents to come get him and take him back to Virginia, where they promptly deposited him in rehab. I didn't know him long, but I have never forgotten him. I always wondered if he was doing okay. It's apparent that he is doing very well in life these days. He's happily married, with dogs, but he's lost none of his rock n' roll edge that made him so fun. I wish I could get reacquainted with all the wonderful characters that have popped in and out of my stories over the years. What a treat!

You Can Win! My Secrets to Winning Giveaways

Consider this a gift. I'm going to tell you all my tips for winning blog giveaways. My daughter wouldn't have had toys to play with or shoes on her feet if not for these contests. Now that my financial crisis is behind me, I'm going to put you on the track to winning.

*Google Blog Search is your friend. Google Blog Search allows you to select the date you want to search choose "today" if you enter giveaways daily or "this week" if you can only enter them infrequently. Using the date selection will help you to avoid expired giveaways and make searching for contests less of an effort.

* Using Google Blog Search, enter terms such as "giveaway email" or "giveaway post" if you want to preview general giveaways. Maybe you want to win something for your kids. Then you would type "giveaway kids", "giveaway children", etc. in the search box. You an get more specific with items, but typing "giveaway" in conjunction with a specific items such as shoes, makeup, certificate, toys, clothing, etc.

* Only do extensive extra credit work like blogging or twittering if you really, really want to win that giveaway. Time is money. Also, if a giveaway has more than 70 entries, I don't enter unless the prize is irresistible. If there is just one other entry in a giveaway, you only have half a chance of winning.

* Include your email with every entry.

* Search your name and email address everyday on Google Blog Search to see if you've won a prize that you weren't emailed about. That has happened a million times to me. You don't want to be late on claiming your winnings!

* Want a really good shot at winning? Search for giveaways with these terms. "first giveaway", " "giveaway shop", "giveaway handmade". First giveaways usually mean the blog won't have a huge following yet so fewer readers to enter. And handmade stuff doesn't draw as much interest as more commercial stuff. But they are usually gems worth winning.

Good luck!

First Letter From My Soldier Man

*Sigh* I finally got a letter from my husband. I even got a 19 second phone call. Not much time for chit-chatting about our day, but what a treat to hear his voice.

The letter was short, but my husband wrote that he stands on his feet 15 hours a day, and those poor, over-worked feet are aching. He hasn't been allowed to eat more than two bites of food at a meal. As soon as the all the guys in basic sit down to eat, they are told they've had enough , and to leave the cafeteria. Also, someone couldn't give up the cigs so they were "smoked". They had to do a 20 minute squat stand. I'm sure he's experiencing some grueling training, but he didn't have much time for writing. He had toilets to clean.

I sure have new respect and appreciation for my husband, I can tell you that!

Decorate a Room For Virtually Nothing ( Like My Mother Does!)

My mother has the almost magical ability to turn what life hands her into a near-masterpiece, at least where decor is concerned. Her style is a harmonious blend of baroque religious iconography, Victoriana, shabby chic and dollar store kitsch. Almost everything she decorates has been found or given to her, save a few items from the $1 stores. My mother can take an unwanted or discarded item, and give it a new life. The really, really fun part is that she rearranges her room twice a month so family members are treated to a home decor show frequently. Why should family members be the only ones to experience the wonder that is my mom's bedroom. She allowed me to take a few photographs to share with you. Isn't her style fun?



My mother used an old room divider as a headboard, and decorated it with artificial plants and fruit, butterfly ornaments and bird-related knick knacks for an English Garden appearance.
The electric candelabra and golden balls were Christmas leftovers.
Some of these vintage items were won from giveaways that my sis and I entered or bestowed from dead relatives.
The baby pic is moi!


There is no way I could show you every detail of this room. My mother has every corner, wall ceiling, nook and cranny adorned in her fabulous and unique style.

Help Me Out

My deal for March, as you recall, is to not blog about myself. But, I think I should acknowledge one very important thing- My husband is gone to boot camp for the next 5 months or so. No need to elaborate on that. You can guess how any wife in such a situation would feel.

If you would be so kind as to help a sister out, suggest forms of entertainment to occupy me all these long and lonely days. What blogs should I visit, books should I read, recipes should I attempt, sports I should try?.. anything that you have find to be an amusing diversion would be greatly appreciated.

I want to share a few great bloggy finds of mine from my blog roll!

Mama Sings the Blues talks Girl Scout Recipes and tells you where to find recipes for at home version!

Jesica is approaching her final chemo session and asking for your prayers. Send her your well-wishes, and read her amazing blog about her struggle with Ovarian Cancer.

Lucy from Lulu's Petals is sharing a fabulous painting and the sentiments behind it.

Broke and Beautiful introduces readers to a cool interactive fashion site called Polyvore, and she's having an accompanying giveaway.

(Have a post that deserves a shout out? Let me know and I'll mention it here tomorrow!)