Pandora's Casket

I don't know about you but I do not like to wait until the last minute to start holiday shopping. Actually I try to do as much on line as I can to make my time stretch further. I have already purchased a few of the main gifts that are to be opened on Christmas morning so I am more than happy about that. Usually I do the small things first and save the big gifts for last. This year though I switched. Although I must tell you that I am running out of room under my bed!



The one gift that I would have loved to put on lay away is the chain saw that my son in law wanted. That would have been absolutely perfect to get. Instead though I got him something else

If you are wondering where to put those gifts you purchase, you might think about Kmart. You can buy those things that you want and keep them there. Not to mention you are purchasing things that might not be in stock as the holiday shopping heats up. You will know that you bought the right gifts at the right time!

Since it was so cold today I had a craving for something hot to drink. Instead of filling my craving with an over abundance of coffee or hot chocolate I opted for the broth from the soup that I made last night.

It hit the spot each time. Not filling and very little calories all it did was taste good and warm me up when I had that chilly feeling.

My kids took what I was doing as well and began drinking the broth as well. When I make soups or stews I make enough for an army and usually it lasts for a few days.

I was so very surprised this evening when I saw how low the soup and stock was.

Everyone said they were warm and full

I love making the soups in the winter time. Warms you up and the house smells so delicious.

Next time you make a soup savor that broth for a simple warming drink!

How many times have you heard one or more of your friends complain about wrinkles? I mean men and women both talk about this. I know that I have a couple of friends that buy countless, and I mean countless of items that they think and hope will take the wrinkles away. Usually they find that they have not. Only to still have the wrinkles and less money. One friend is consumed in finding a product that he can actually say works.


The one thing that we loose starting after puberty is Elastin . Of course the older we get the more we loose which then we start seeing those pesky lines all over. Especially around the mouth and eyes. Foreheads are top on the list also. I guess we all frown more than we think after seeing the lines develop.

Not wishing to have botax or other surgical procedures we often times seek out products that work. This product by all practical views seems to be that one. Utilizing Tropoelastin3, in the product to help erase some wrinkles. No animals are used in the making of the product so that was something good to read.

There are both male and female products so you have your choice. We decided that this was the gift that we would purchase. After each of us looked at the site, Deb ordered it. Now, we have the perfect gift. The price was for a two month supply at only $89. Not bad for a product that will help with the aging process.

So if you want to give a special gift to someone that wants a solution or help with wrinkles, visit the site. Do your research first and then decide.

Shipping items does not have to be a nightmare. Making sure that you wrap your items properly is one way to ensure your precious cargo will arrive safely.

Glassware is one item that you need to make sure that you wrap carefully. Using two packaging products that assist in the protection of the glass.

The first material that you should use for glassware or anything that is fragile is bubble wrap. For glassware I prefer the larger bubble as it has more cushion for the item and when in transit takes more of the shock from the bumps and throws the package will endure. Bubble wrap has different sized bubbles from a fine to the large bubble. Choosing the larger bubble is just my preference.

Wrapping the item with a multiple layer of the bubble wrap is your first step. One can never put to much on. Especially for long routes to travel. Once you have the bubble wrap firmly layered use a heavy duty tape to then cover the bubble wrap. Clear packaging tape is the best. The brown tape meant for boxes may not stick properly at times. The layer of tape is just another protective layer over the item along with the bubble wrap.

After the wrapping it is time for the box. Choosing a box that is not to large for the item. This is for a few reasons. One is that a box that is to large will allow the item to move more. A box closest to the actual size of the item will ensure a snug fit and less moving while being processed. Ideally if I can I use a box to put the item in and then add to another box. But this may not be cost effective for some items. The other reason to use a box that fits the item is obvious. The actual shipping cost.

After you have chosen your box, a thin layer of shipping peanuts or pop corn should be laid at the bottom of the box. Placing the item in the box with the peanuts/pop corn also absorbs shock to the item from shipping. Peanuts or pop corn is inexpensive but well worth it!
As adding this may be the difference in a damaged item to a non damaged item.

Cover the item with the peanut's/pop corn. Especially paying attention to the sides of the item. Keeping the item snug is the key to a non damaged item.

Taking extra time and care of wrapping your item is not 100%. Nothing is. Be sure to take out insurance on a breakable item. Just in case.

By using the supplies that are available to you will cut your costs in returns and insurance claims. Insurance claims may take 30 days to be given.

Take time and care in all your shipping of items. You will be glad that you took the steps that you did.

This past week was OK. Dad slept more than usual but that is something that is to be expected. He was in good moods most of the week. Makes it nicer to work with him.

He had his eye appointment and the doctor said it was healing well. This week they take out the stitches and hopefully that will be that for the eye doctors and nurses as those people there are all rude. I really hate going to that eye center. Oh well, at least it is nearly finished.

The hospice nurse came Friday and told us that all his stats are fine and he is doing pretty good as well. Dad was not to pleased to have his vitals taken but at least she came late in the day instead of early. They come each week to do this. The nurses are so nice and I admire them so very much.

The only event that pissed me off was the conversation with my cousin. He brought up a bunch of things that had nothing to do with dad and how he is. It seems that they all want to cleanse their guilt now. Yet when I brought up where were they two years ago when he got ill the first time he acted like he was as busy as if he were doing online trading. The things that he brought up was just stupid. I got pissed and told the truth. That entire side of the family has and always been white trash. Which they are so that is the truth.

Other than that all is the same. Dad sleeps and sleeps. Does not eat like he did of course. They said that is the normal way our body begins to handle the disease and shut down.

Looking forward in another good week

Now my printer is not the only thing that I am thinking about upgrading. A couple of months ago I decided to buy memory for my PC. Boy, that was great after it was installed. I had forgotten how fast my computer was when it was added. Then I made the mistake of while looking at printers to looking at PC's as well.

Now, I want to purchase another computer and totally upgrade. My computer is only a little over three years old but as we all know they are obsolete once you walk out of the door. haha

I have been looking at the new touch computer that is out but not to sure if I really want it. The prices are reasonable I am just leery of a touch screen PC. They are so pretty though!

I do know that when I buy a new PC I am getting the large flat screen. That way when I watch movies it will look better. No rush on the new PC that is for sure. Just one of those things that is on my wish list

For now I am just thrilled with the memory that was added.

About four years ago I purchased a Brother printer. Now this is one of those printers that does everything except walks your dog for you. It has really been put through the mill with the amount of printing that I do.

There are many of the things that it does that telling the truth I never used. It was, now that I think about, a waste to purchase. But at the time I really thought this was the one that I needed.

The past couple of weeks it has been acting up. My fault as I used one of those toner refill kits and from there it began. It took a couple of months before I noticed the difference or had any problems but now? It is every day. The messages that I get are that I need to change the drum soon or the drum is dusty. Neither is true. The drum is new and I wipe down the drum knowing that this error is going to prohibit my printing. It might take a couple of runs before it prints correctly. Very time consuming and frazzles my nerves.

I am trying to hold off till after the holidays to purchase another printer. Looking at them and trying to figure out what I really want is not fun to do. I do know that this time I will not buy one that has options that I will not use. I know that I will stick with Brother as I really do like that maker. It is simply finding the one that can keep up with my larger printing needs.

For the next month or so that is my goal. To find the perfect printer at a good price.

Do you realize that Thanksgiving is nearly here? It dawned on me this morning as I was preparing the calendar for this week. We already have the individual dishes sorted out, as to who is cooking what. But there are so many other things to plan out as well. Adding extra seating to our enlarging gatherings is crazy. For those that want to take a load off and talk to those in the kitchen without actually going in the kitchen we are adding bar stools to relax on at the divider that we have.

That way they can sit, talk and have a place to eat a snack or their drinks to sit on. Makes it so cozy with the loved ones that are attending.

Now this week I have to busy myself with the rest of the plans and organize our time. With work, family activities and other things that we do I have to make sure that we are all on the same page!

This week will be as busy as the last but filled with gathering recipes and ingredients. It is fun doing. Just glad it only comes once a year!