Pandora's Casket

The All England Lawn Tennis Club will be holding the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament beginning on June 23rd. This starts off with the Men's and Ladies' Singles. How exciting this is to those that are interested in tennis. An event that one looks forward in seeing for a year! Watching the players progress to certain stages.

I try to watch this each year. A friend of mine and I would watch this and the next day discuss either in person or on the phone how we thought it went for the tennis players. We would actually try to predict who we thought was going to win or loose. Towards the end of the tournament we were really heated in a good way of course. We had some lively conversations that is for sure. haha

We always talked about going to one tournament. Just to spend a week or so to say we were there. How much fun this would be not just to be there but to go site seeing as well. He having been to England knew that I would totally enjoy this. So each year we joked, poked and got annoyed with each other over the various players the other liked or disliked. We may not have been there but the thrill of the event was definitely there with us! Cheery and jeering.

This year I did look into tickets. I wanted to see just how expensive they were. I did not know that there was a lottery for these. Oh, don't get me wrong you are able to purchase tickets through brokers. But the vast amount of tickets are simply chosen by a draw. I did run into a few Wimbeldon tickets from such a broker. Each day had a number of tickets available for purchase. Of course the closer to the end of the tournament the more expensive they were but to people like my friend and I very well worth the money. It isn't the cost it is about seeing the athletes compete and the ambiance of the event its self. One of those fantasy vacations I think.

This year though will be very different. Since his passing this year I will surely still watch it-alone. There will be none of the banter of years gone by. It will be a memorable time to watch it this year. As there will be some sadness and laughter while thinking about him and the tournament I am enjoying.

Much to most peoples dismay that ship items are aware of the new postal rate that went into effect May 10th.

Mainly the rates seem to effect those that ship Internationally. Instead of weighing the package and there was a standard rate per weight category, now it will be compared by three different categories.

Today I had International shipping to do. A package that usually ships for $2.95 shipped to Germany for $8.95. That was the least expensive way to send it. Even the postal worker was amazed and stated that it was far to much. Running it through again just to see if maybe it was incorrect. It was correct.
She briefly went over the three sections of comparisons but I really need to go to the site and read all the provisions of the rate changes. I definitely lost money on this but that is life in the business arena

Another thought I had is that with this increase we have to yet again raise our shipping costs to the consumer. No, this is not fair but reality. I ship worldwide so this will be costly to my customers.

Not only that I will have to go into my storefronts and change all the ship prices.

If you ship International you might not want to be surprised by the cost and look into this also.

The new movie theFrontier(s) is being released for a one weekend showing in select theaters. Not sure if there is one nearest you? Go to the site and there is a complete section to theselect theater listings.

This movie is a jump out of your seat and cover your eyes type of movie. I watched the trailer and the one part that I actually was like Oh No was the part where they cut the girls tendon on the back of her heel. OK that made my stomach turn. But you know what? I can not wait to see the rest of the movie. I love movies like this.

I have an entire collection of horror and thriller movies to prove it. haha This one makes Saw look like a toddler film to me. What gives it more of that edgy feeling is the music. It has that haunting, Oh What is Happening Next feel to it. Very spooky.

The movie has not been without its problems. Wanting the film company to slash and dash some sections in the film so as to make it not so horrific was going on. The film as it stands is in original content. No cuts being made. Why did they want the cuts to be made? One was being a little on the graphic side. The other was that while it was and is so horrific it can not be rated. No rating. No movie theater releases.

So this movie, unrated will have a one weekend showing this coming weekend. After which time, one week later, it will be available on DVD. I can't wait for that. I would rather see it in the comfort of my own home any way. Not to mention there is no showing that is close to our town.

Once it is released I will venture to the site and purchase this DVD for my own collection. Actually, after watching the trailer my entire family is excited to see this!

So go to the site and cruise around. Look at the pictures and opening dates. But don't pass up the chance to watch that trailer!

Tonight for our "make something different" dinner I received this recipe from allrecipes.com in my email.

I thought that it would make a nice switch to have a vegetarian dinner for a change of pace. I am lucky that all the children and adults love vegetable so no worries on if they will eat it or not!

Doesn't this sound good???



Mediterranean Chik'n and Artichokes





INGREDIENTS

1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth
4 green onions, bias-sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup quick-cooking couscous
1 (6.5 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts
1/2 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups Morningstar Farms® Meal Starters™ Chik'n Strips
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In small saucepan combine broth, onions, margarine or butter and garlic. Bring to boiling. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
2. Drain artichokes, reserving marinade. In large skillet cook bell pepper in 2 tablespoons of reserved marinade over medium heat for 1 minute. Stir in Chik'n Strips and 1 tablespoon of remaining reserved marinade. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through.
3. Spoon couscous mixture onto 4 serving plates. Top with Chik'n Strips mixture. Sprinkle with olives and cheese.

Have you heard about the Dockers contest? Well in case you have missed i you can have a chance at making your own 30 second video and winning the Grand Prize! I have gone over to the site and watched a few of the videos myself. Some of them are hysterically funny. I did in fact vote for one, entitled: More Than Pants by Roberto Gudino. I would have linked to it but I must be challenged or something because I couldn't find a way to do that. Instead below is the main video about the Dockers Contest and you can see his commercial there. Funny guy!

The winners of the Dockers commercial contest will be announced on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. How cool would that be? Not only to win but to hear Leno announce this. Oh, he is in no way affiliated with the contest folks.

This is your chance to create a commercial for television. Be creative! Use your imagination! You can be the star or just the creator. Have your friends join in and make it more fun!

For those that do not want to make a commercial. Go over and watch the videos and cast your vote for your favorite commercials on the site. Like I stated there are so many really good ones it is hard to choose simply one.