Top 10 Tuesday Random Items

I, the queen of lists, could not think of a category for my Top 10 Tuesday this week. So, it will be a Top 10 Tuesday of my most random thoughts this morning.

1. I started off my morning this morning by visiting the Android Market Place on my Samsung cell phone. Lo and behold, I found an app called Amazon Kindle. I downloaded it and wah-lah! My phone is now a Kindle. Which is great, because I'm reading a series of books and it is time for #4 which I can't find anywhere. So I downloaded it to my cell phone and have already finished the first chapter. LOVE MY NEW APP!

2. My reading glasses are something I love that I wonder how I have lived without. With all this new technology of cell phones, laptops, etc., I find it hard to focus when I spend much time on my electronics. I have prescription glasses that are tri-focals, but trying to find that exact spot where I can surf on my phone when I'm away from the house, was putting strain on my eyes. I didn't need new glasses, just a wider area for reading. So I called the eye doctor not too long ago and they gave me the number for my non-prescription reading glasses. Thanks to Walmart and the Dollar Tree, I now have a pair in each car and a pair in the house. These are my house ones and my faves. They made reading my "Kindle" so much easier this morning.

3. As I was looking through my bookshelf the other day, I saw one of my bookends and I remembered that a young boy of 18 went to New York with his high school class back in 1976. It was winter and he was 6' tall and wanted a scarf to wear that was really long. I worked with his mom and he asked me to knit it for him. Mom and I took turns working on it. It was a beautiful soft cashmere camel tan yarn. Anyway, he went to the gift shop in the World Trade Center and purchased this set of book ends as a thank you for our hard work. As I looked at them yesterday, I was reminded again of 9/11 and all the lives that were lost or changed that day. I have never been to World Trade Center, but thanks to his sweet gift of bookends, I will always remember the tragedy of that day.

4. I have a horrible sinus infection and  the pressure is pushing down on my gums and I've not had much appetite. The meds kicked in yesterday evening after we had planned NOT to have a big supper. My husband fried some bacon "just in case". Once I smelled the bacon, I got so hungry but it was already 7:00. So he threw a potato in the microwave for 5 minutes, scraped it out of the skins (which I don't like) and mixed it with lots of Parkay and crumbled bacon. He put it on a small baking dish and put American cheese on it for me. While the cheese melted in the oven, he fried me an egg and I fixed some toast and had a side serving of apple butter. It may not have been the healthiest meal, but oh my gosh for impromptu, it was scrumptious.

5. As many of you know, I love tea sets. I have passed that love on to my two granddaughters and we like to have tea parties when they come over. We had been using one of my miniatures but they didn't hold much "tea" (water) so I picked this one up a few months back at Walmart for just $5.00. Now they get to play tea party any time they want and I don't worry about breakage. It is good and sturdy china, but it is only $5 if I have to replace it.

6. There is a young girl in my church who I have grown so fond of. She holds a very special place in my heart and loves to draw and paint. I asked her for one of her drawings for my beach room. So I've rearranged a shelf to display it. She normally doesn't use pastels so she wasn't happy with it, but I love it because it is so special since she did it especially for me.

7. Did you notice the little birdhouse out of yarn? I did that years ago with plastic canvas. I am heading to Michael's Saturday to use my gift certificate and get some new yarn. I have a plan. I'm going to get a little shelf that can be decorated for each month and I'm going to make 12 of these little bird houses....one for each month and do a theme shelf.  January will be blue and white and the shelf will have snowmen sitting on it. February, red and white with hearts on the shelf, March green and white with shamrocks or leprechauns on the shelf, etc. You get my drift. I can't wait to get started. My first one is going to be for August and it will be black roof on red house and something "back to school" related on the shelf. I'll display them when I get them done. The birdhouse "hole" will be a button that will go with the theme if I can find one. If not, I'll just use a colored button.

8. I have a new item I have added to my wish list. I want a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. My sister just purchased an Ipad and she loves it. I'm waiting until the holidays to get it because electronics always drop in price around the holidays AND I will getting it through my US Cellular plan. I am accumulating belief points that can be used toward the purchase. I can't wait to get it.

9. I love electronics. But one of my favorites is something I've had several years. It is a little click on Ipod that my son and his family got me for my birthday or Christmas one year. It has small and can clip onto your clothing when you walk. I love taking to the beach as well. I keep it on my desk on a little speaker I found at Walmart for $4.00. Music always picks me up. I have it loaded with Country, Southern Gospel, 70's rock, etc. I've got Three Dog Night following right after George Strait. I do love my variety when listening to music.

10. My last random item for today is my new little bargain from Staples. Do not laugh, but it's a pencil case. Why did I buy a pencil case? I have no idea. It was on sale and I had a coupon and it was 50 cents and it was purple and I like bargains, soooo.......The rest is history. I do like it though. I think I have figured out what to do with it. The front has a webbed pocket. We get monthly coupons for local fast food places and I always forget the coupons. I'm going to put them in the little web pocket and keep the case in the car. That way I'll always have the coupons. On the inside pocket, I'm going to store a little notebook and pen since I'm always needing that when I'm out and never seem to have one with me. Then on the back of the case there are some pockets and I discovered CD's will fit in there so I'll carry some of my favorite CD's in it. This little thing fits perfect in my console between the seats.

That's my top 10 random thoughts for the day. Thanks for letting me ramble on. What's going on in YOUR world this week?

 

Today I'm riding the Tuesday Train

Getting back on track....

For the past few weeks, I feel like I have lived in a type of vacuum. I've had lots of plans and goals, but just haven't felt like moving forward. I've been stagnating. I think a lot of it is the heat and part of it is that life just gets so busy sometimes that you don't have time to think. But this morning, I feel like I'm back on track. I spent sometime this weekend doing a little organizing and planning. That always makes me happy to have some new plans and something to look forward to. I did have a good weekend and hope you did to. We went to a yard sale Saturday and I picked up a couple of items that I'm excited about. This little shelf was perfect for my thimble collection. I had put them away until I could find a small shadow box for them. This one cost me 20 cents.

I also found an adorable little blue bowl to add to my blue items I put on my bathroom shelf. Here is the bowl which also only cost me 20 cents.

Here it is on the shelf. I'm thinking about putting either a tea candle in it or some little fancy soaps. Would appreciate your ideas.

We had a funny incident with my granddaughter Shelby at church yesterday. Never ever underestimate the determination of a two year old who is getting ready to turn three.

You can see her cute little sun dress she has on. Well, during that time between Sunday School and Church, I took her to get a drink of water. She got a drop of water about the size of a dime on her dress. She told me she needed to change because her dress was wet. I explained that it was just a drop and it would dry in a minute. She argued that it was wet and she needed to change. I told her she didn't need to and we went on into the sanctuary. I was putting her bag and my purse on the pew, getting ready to go to the choir room and she was right behind me. I turned around and there she stood in her "undies" and sandals....nothing else. Her dress was pooled around her feet. I said "Shelby Rayne!" She looked at me with that look that only a toddler can do and stated very firmly, I TOLD you I needed to change clothes. I just lost it. My grandchildren never seize to amaze me. I have learned not to let those sweet innocent faces fool me one bit.



I went to JC Penny's with my daughter Saturday. She was doing some school clothes shopping for her son. Penny's was having this huge sale and she had some coupons and then there was a 15% off everything you bought sale going on. She got him 4 or 5 new button up the front dress shirts like he always wants to wear. She got him a pair of jeans and 3 or 4 novelty t-shirts. Everything was on clearance racks and as the lady rang them up, they were ringing up even lower than the clearance price. My daughter asked if that was because of the 15% and the clerk said no, they had marked down prices even further in the computer but hadn't changed the store signs yet. She was getting $18.00 dress shirts for around $3.00 or less. Then when it was all rang up, she got the additional 15% discount. She had $30.00 in coupons she had accumulated from them. Bottom line....$175.00 worth of clothes...her cost....$22.00. I thought she was going to have a heart attack.

Well that's my weekend wrap up. Time to get back to task and attack my week. Hope everybody has a blessed week.



My daughter knows me so well....

Well, my patience has paid off and the waiting is over. I got my car on Friday afternoon. I love it. The color is Titanium Green Metallic (though it doesn't look green in the picture...it is.)

So, Saturday, I get to take it out for it's first excursion. I picked up my daughter and her children to head out for a day of shopping. As we got on the interstate, I made the comment "Everytime I get a new car, I have to christen it when it gets on the interstate for the first time." She turned to her son and said, "Oh great. That means we'll be hearing.......and then she starts singing

"So put me on a highway
And show me a sign
And take it to the limit one more time"

So, I love the Eagles and Take it to the Limit is my all time favorite song. I laughed and said, "You think you know me so well. When this song goes off, I have another one I love to play when I get a new car. She immediately pops off with "I know. Sweet home Alabama."

Freaky. This child knows me WAY too well.  

All in all, the car did great and it was wonderful to finally be driving closer to the ground. I hope it is a long time before I have to drive the truck again.



Happy National Hot Dog Day

Now THIS is my kind of holiday. It's National Hot Dog Day. I have long been a connoisseur of the common hot dog. I have had them at ball parks, hot dog stands, restaurants and even local gas stations. From the very first time Mommy cut them up into little bites for me to dip into ketchup, I was hooked. They are by far my #1 favorite food. Did I mention I still have the food mentality of a 3 year old?

Anyway, I have had many hot dogs at many places in my 54 years. Today as we pay homage to the Great American Hot Dog, I would like to pay my respects to the people who make them the best in my book.

Counting Down Mamaw Bee's Top 10 Best Hot Dog places to eat out
(I'm not counting eating at home because hubby would win hands down. Nobody makes hot dog chili like my hubby)

10. Sonic Drive In, All over the South

9. A and W Restaurants in Sevierville, TN

8. Frank Allen's in Sevierville, TN

 

7. Little League Baseball Field in Barboursville, WV

 

6. Midway in West Huntington, WV

 

5. Hillybilly Hot Dogs in Lesage, WV

 

4. Frost Top in Huntington, WV

3. Cosmic Jacks in Mount Pleasant, SC 

 

2. Dairy Queen in Milton, WV - home of the English Dog

1. And the #1 Best Hot Dog in the world is from Stewart's Drive In from Huntington, WV. I have been known to make a trip home JUST to get this hot dog.


And you can't have a Stewart's hot dog with out an ice cold Stewart's root beer in an icy mug.


My favorite way to have a hot dog is with chili, mustard and onion. Second favorite is plain...just the hot dog on the bun.

Well, there's my take on hot dogs for the day. I'm heading out to the mall. In honor of today, I'm going to Petros for lunch and have a hot dog. They didn't make the top 10, but they are still a good hot dog.

What's YOUR favorite dog?

Frivolous Friday....

So much going on right now. Summer is always so busy. There is no rhyme or reason to my post today. Just some things I want to share......

I WON! I'm so excited. I won a giveaway over at Leslie's Blog - Spoonful of Everything. I hardly ever win anything. This was a real blessing. I got a beautiful tin with scenes from Maryland which will go great in my beach room. I got an adorable little cupcake embroidery kit. There was also a cookbook, Happy Everything: A year full of fun recipes, written by Leslie herself. (Watch out friends and family, there is a Cherry Walnut Christmas bread recipe that will make a great loaf cake gift). And the pièce de résistance....a gift card to Michael's. Look out yarn section, here I come. I've been wanting some new yarn colors for a couple of projects I'm getting ready to start. This was very timely. Thanks, Leslie for the wonderful gifts!

Tuesday, my hubby started a new job cooking at a local breakfast/lunch counter that is just 3 minutes from our house. Talk about a gas savings. The only bad thing is he is not here to remind me "Are you going to eat lunch?" everyday. I have a tendency to forget. But his first day at work was Tuesday....he wasn't here at lunch time...I didn't mean to do it...well, actually I did. It probably wasn't a very healthy lunch, but I couldn't resist. Here is what I had for lunch that day....

I finally found a frame for my collage picture I had made at Walmart after spending time with my son and his family at the lake. I hung it and the picture of the small lighthouse somebody built on the point. I went ahead and hung them, but I'm going to take the sconces down and paint them white to match the frame. My sister is bringing me a lighthouse shelf to incorporate into this setting when she comes down again. But for now, at least I have my picture hanging up.

Speaking of pictures, here is one of my favorite pictures. It is me and my sister, Rachel. (I'm the youngest one in the picture). Look at our curls...all natural. I was mad because I didn't want to wear any shoes. I haven't changed a bit. I still don't like to wear shoes. I wear flip flops if at all possible and kick them off while I'm sitting and nobody can see.

Do you have areas around your house that are comforting. Something that you can just look at and it brings you peace, contentment or happiness. Here is one of my happy areas. Hubby bought me the Royal Dalton Old English Roses tea set one Valentines Day. The frame is a gift from my sister.The book is an 1850 edition of The Book of Friendship. Those are my Papaw Eden's glasses on top of the book.

Another one of my favorite spots is my little bookshelf that my niece Amy gave me. It contains gifts from various family members as well as some of my collection of old antique books. I love setting in the chair beside it and reading by the light of the candle lamp. It's very cozy.

Yesterday, I posted my first ever on-line Pampered Chef party. The party runs through July 27th. If you will post a link on your blog or facebook page and leave me a comment of where you posted the link, you will be registered to win the NEW Scoop and Drain. Just post this link on your facebook or blog http://mamawsplace4.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-first-on-line-pampered-chef-party.html.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

My first on-line Pampered Chef Party

Welcome to our first on-line Pampered Chef Party. Please watch the video to see the recipes we prepared and the products that were used in the preparation. I hope you enjoy attending our online party. If you would like the recipes or a copy of the presentation, just let me know by leaving a comment. Simply click the play arrow to start the presentation. In the bottom right corner of the video screen, you will see a little black and white square beside the word menu. Click on that square to make the video full screen. If you would like to place an order, the link will be on the last screen of the video. The party will run through July 27th and orders will be shipped direct to your home from Pampered Chef. Enjoy!

 

More PowerPoint presentations from Brenda Keefer

Wacky Wednesday Giveaway

I would love to reach 100 followers on my blog. I know that is a small amount for some, but too me, it would be a milestone. I had 34 for the longest time, then it inched up little by little to 73 followers and 3 Google Friend Connections. That means I just need 24 more to reach my 100 followers mark.

I will be giving away this matching set of 31 Gifts Products. I absolutely love their products. The contest will start today and run until August 5th. In order to enter, simply leave me a comment confirming that you are a follower through my blog or through Google Friend Connect. I'm looking forward to seeing who will win this wonderful matching set. Want to increase your chances of winning? You can receive an additional entry into the contest if you send me a link showing where you promoted this on your blog (or Facebook, if you do not have a blog).

The set includes the following items:

Tote Bag with 3 pockets on front, two on back and a fishnet pocket on each end. This makes an awesome travel companion for short or long trips, especially with children. It can hold books, toys, snacks, etc. It also works well when traveling to use as a giant personal care bag. Shampoos and lotions will fit in the pockets without a worry of spilling in your other bags. The overall size is 10" x 15 1/2"

A thermal lunch tote that comes in very handy for packing your lunch for work, packing a childs lunch for school, or simply toss in an ice pack and some bottled water for a day spent out in the sun. It is also great to toss in the car with snacks so that the heat doesn't ruin the snacks. It has a pocket on the back side. It is 9 1/2" x 14".

This next item is my favorite item they make. It is the mini zipper pouch. It is 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 and has so many uses. I have so many of these that I have considered writing a blog 101 Uses for the Mini Zipper Pouch. This is probably one of my favorite items I own...and my biggest addiction. The mini zipper is so soft and padded that it makes a wonderful addition to any purse. You can use it in your purse to keep cosmetics...or mints and gum...or extra checks and registers. It also comes in handy as a mini first aid kit in your glove box, an emergency "tool" kit with scissors, nail file, clippers, small brush, etc. I also use mine to keep my craft essentials in such as needles, thimble, scissors, seam ripper, etc. There is a little hook on the side that you can pair it with a wristlet strap and it is perfect for those mini-trips where you don't want to cart your whole purse. My phone, camera, car keys, credit cards and cash fit in one perfectly for a day at the zoo or amusement park. The uses are endless.

The last item is their shirred front wallet. This is one of the roomiest, easiest to access wallets I have ever used. 4 1/2" x 8 1/4". It has multiple pockets for your various credit cards, rewards cards, ID's, etc. There are two sides for cash and a nice zipper pocket inside. It is long enough that you do not have to try to "squish" your dollars bills in. Nice and roomy, but not too large.

Be sure and sign up and let me know you are a follower to be registered to win this $71.00 valued prize package. If you post a link on your blog, let me know that as well for your second entry.