Whimspiration

I laughed when they said I'd have to set time aside to sign a stack of checks each week...

2009-12-06T11:48:00.000-06:00

So, for a quick update, business is going great and parties are pumping!

I lost my pocket schedule book again, but I had everything backed up on my calendar at home, and it's time to buy a new pocket-one anyway, so all is well.

Picked up the orders for a fundraiser, and they're doing great! (it's been extended, if you want to place an order from the exclusive fund-raising catalog, visit this site now!)

I've been working on helping other folks to live their dreams through Tupperware as well, and let me tell you, it's going great! Already, I have helped two people start on the path to their dreams, and they're making strides on that path every day. I'm so proud of them!

I've been having a series of public parties recently, and I plan on continuing those, with different topics and specialties featured, until I run out of really interesting ideas. *chuckle*

So far I've done the tightwad party, the eco-party, the bizarre foods dinner party, party in the park, and a holiday gatherings party. If you have any ideas for a party you'd like to see, just drop a line in the comments, and I'l, see what I can do. *smile* They're so much fun, and I get to keep all the free host gifts for myself, so why the heck wouldn't I, right?

When I was told that some day, I'd be sitting around signing my name to a pile of checks, I thought they were kidding! Boy, Let me tell you, I was SO wrong!

And that day came so quickly too!

Life is good.

Steampunk Giveaway

2009-11-29T01:06:00.003-06:00

If you know me well, you might have realized that I absolutely love steampunk, and have since I was a wee little girl, even without knowing it's name. Mary Poppins did it for me, and ever since, I have longed to dress in the fashion of the early 1900s, while still maintaining my active lifestyle. Steampunk actually allows tat, with all of te little subgenres it involves and merges with at the edges...

That said, a very talented acquaintance of mine is hosting a giveaway of one of her steampunk jewelry and sculptures. Her Etsy shop is called Catherinette Rings, and I have never seen such beautiful wire ringwork in the steampunk form.

Her website is:http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatherinetteRings.

Once you see her art & products, you will have to have some for yourself. I know I'm already planning a purchase of one of her amazingly inexpensive rings. *grin*

Broken Paper Flower

2009-11-25T23:56:00.001-06:00

So that was interesting to say the very least!

I was getting ready for bed the other day when my neighbor came out and told me that there was some woman in my old car I'm trying to sell, saying the car was hers, and tossing things out the window, all over to the ground nearby.

To make a long(er) story short(er), I put on my robe and walked outside with my phone in and after telling the girls to stay inside. Once I saw that there was someone, indeed, in my car, I dialed 911 and reported the event. 911 is the only way to get an officer dispatched.

To assuage any worry, I did not approach her or try to engage her in conversation, and I stayed well out of reach of both her, and the car door, should she try to open it. Now, for the rest of the story.

As I waited on the phone with the 911 operator in my robe and bare feet, standing on a pile of broken safety glass, I listened to the woman in my car. Obviously seriously troubled, she spoke out loud to people who weren't there, threatening, accusing, bossing, and more. She was violent, but only with her words, and appeared to also be hallucinating, especially considering how she repeatedly ordered the invisible people to stop shining lights onto her, because they were blinding her. There were only the parking lot lights, stable, and unchanging.

She sat there, in shorts, a hoodie, and a pair of socks, her long, dirty blonde hair tied in a bun, and a second hoodie tied around her waist. At one point, she offered to trade my car back to me, in exchange for a cigarette...

In the back seat of my car, the waifish girl in her early 20's babbled incoherently, and twirled in her hands, one of the tissue paper flowers the kids and I made over a year ago, and had left in the car, abandoned and forgotten.

As I waited on the phone for the police to arrive, this girl stated that she was serious about "it" three days ago, and she was serious about "it" three years ago too. Whatever "it" was, must've been something that had been troubling her for quite some time, and maybe what was bothering her now, was an ongoing thing, in need of serious intervention.

When the police arrived, she told them it was her car, then recanted and said that the car was her daddy's, then that it used to be her daddy's... She said that she'd love to leave the car, but that no one would let her out, then said that she wasn't getting out because she wanted someone to carry her, because her feet hurt. All statements fired off in rapid succession. It was very clear to me that my newest little acquaintance was in dire need of a potentially-extended stay at the Mental Marriot.

After tearing down the header, ripping up most of the carpet in the back, and other violent damage, as well as tossing everything out the window, the only thing she was gentle with was that single, discarded flower.

Even after getting into a fight with the police when they finally showed up, I found that she had set it to the side, gently, before getting physical with the officers.

So when they took her away to sit in a police car and continue talking to her invisible family members, the police came to myself and my neighbor to get the full report. I saw the damage to my car when looking for things that may have belonged to her, and nearly freaked, seeing as how there were now so many more things that were broken or damaged than before it was broken into.

As I talked to the officers, I cleaned up the mess surrounding my car, and they warned me about bare feet and glass, then commented on how much tougher my feet must be than theirs. I told them matter-of-factly, that I simply was not going to go back inside, as them/this needed my full attention at the moment.

But before they carted her off to jail, I had to do one small thing. Regardless of what she had done to my property, regardless of how crazy she seemed, that one, simple, discarded tissue paper flower had somehow brought her a small bit of peace or joy...

So I made the officers take it with them for her. To me, it was garbage, just more flotsam to be moved to the landfill, but to her? To her, it was obviously something greater, and I couldn't bear to let her leave without it.

So they left, taking her and her flower to jail, and leaving me with a seriously damaged car and a police report paper.

I hope I can get the money it would cost to get the car repaired, but that is highly unlikely, and honestly, not the most important thing on my wish list this Thanksgiving. Instead, I wish, for her, that she finds peace, love, and comfort, both within her own self, and in her life, from whatever external sources she may encounter.

And I'm thankful. Thankful that that wasn't me, when there have been so many times in my life where that is exactly where I could have been, had I chosen to move in a different direction than I did. Thankful that I was able to start the woman in my car to what I can only hope is recovery and a better life. Thankful for my family, for my positive outlook in life, for little goals that lead to big dreams, for health, and for my dear, dear friends, without whom, I would be adrift and alone in the sea of humanity.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and may you find your one small thing that brings you peace and joy this year.

I hope you find your own, battered paper flower this holiday season.

Too Busy For Words

2009-11-19T13:43:00.005-06:00

Emi, a friend's sister wrote in her journal the other day, and I just have to share some of it with you.

"I am burning the candle at both ends, and maybe a bit in the middle too. I feel like there's not enough me to be all the places doing all the things thinking all the thoughts I want to be."

Wow, I couldn't have said it better myself!

She goes on to say quite a bit that can be adapted to our life, so without further ado, my edits (like this) apply to our family, inserted into ~~her words~~.

"~~Noveling has~~ (My house & children have) to remain a huge priority, because there's no way in hell I'm not striving for ~~that 50,000~~ (the completed remodel & well-adjusted kids) when ~~I've~~ (we've) already come so far, plus I'm really enjoying and growing form and incredibly happy with the ~~NaNoWriMo experience~~ (direction our lives seem to moving towards). But I can't cut ~~drum practice~~ (Tupperware parties) out of my schedule, because I have ~~paid gigs~~ (good party attendance) now, and when someone ~~pays you~~ (books a party), you have an obligation to ~~sound really good~~ (be amazing at the party, and get them the most goodies for free possible). I also have to ~~study for my learner's permit~~ (work with the kids on their education), another essential thing because ~~I need to get it before the laws here change and make me have to pay 1,500$~~ (I want to make sure they can pass the little test-prep exams I want to give them at the end of the year). Plus my social life is a consideration. It had already been taking back seat, and now I'm shoving it even farther back into the trunk of this metaphorical car, and if I'm not careful I'll tip it out the back onto the highway and speed away, and that I do not want(!!!). My online social life is dying is as well, and I haven't ~~even considered replying to a RP since November started~~ (actually made it through to the end of my email in far too long)... Not to mention I've been meaning to get my ~~room~~ (house) cleaned out and repainted and redecorated for months. I'm sick of living in (what I feel is verging on) a disaster that doesn't reflect my personality or provide a good atmosphere, and I'm really hyped to get it how I want it to look, but I just don't have the time. I really want to get serious about ~~selling plushies~~ (Getting products ready for Vision Con in January), I need the money badly, but I haven't ~~sewed a thing since November started~~ (ordered any of the supplies yet) either. And now there's plans and shopping for Christmas on top of all that, as if that mountain wasn't enough..."

You can see why I chose her to copy a bit from, right? After all, she said it nearly perfectly, and it's not like I actually have TIME to blog right now... *laugh*

But life is good for us. *smile* Do, please, go read her blog. Her commentary on her love of words is simply beautiful, and it brought to mind many things I had not thought about in far too long.

http://moordred-fangirl.deviantart.com/journal/28357941

Double Your Freebies!

2009-11-18T13:27:00.003-06:00

Until the 26th of November only, you can get DOUBLE the free Tupperware with your party!

Yep, you heard me right, DOUBLE your FREE Tupperware!!!

I am SO excited to be able to offer this, that I am offering an extra free gift (on top of the usual host reward gifts) to all hosts for parties held this week.

Heck, I'm even offering a free gift to you if you don't ave a party, and refer someone who does hold one this week.

No worries about time constraints either, I can do a party in 15 minutes for you and 4 of your friends, and I'll even come to your work and do it in the break room if that's all the space and time you have.

Tupperware products, AND the way Tupperware works has changed drastically, even in the past three days, so get in on the newest "next best thing" and be one of the first to get the great extra bonuses!

I can set up a party for anyone, anywhere in the US, so don't be shy.

Let me help you to have a debt free holiday season this year! *smile*

1.888.693.6372 Call now!

LeapFrog: A Rant

2009-11-13T11:12:00.000-06:00

In the news recently was a piece on how Baby Einstein videos are one of the greatest parenting scams of the current generation. In the article, the end piece asked "So now what? Lose the Leapfrog? Whisk away the Wii?"

I'm a bit miffed that the fully interactive line of educational LeapFrog products were somehow thought of in anywhere near a similar light as staring dumbly at a screen as to have been mentioned in this article.

LeapFrog products are great. Some are better than others, I'll admit, but each and every LeapFrog product is interactive, requiring the child to actually get involved in the learning and entertainment process, which aids in memorization AND true learning. There also is a marked (and positive) absence of negativity when you get an answer wrong! It only says things like "try again". Their line is expandable, and grows with your kids, allowing you to pick positive and effective teaching-assistance tools for your children.

Now, I don't work for LeapFrog, and I don't hold stock in the company, I just love the products. Please note that I did NOT say that these items were meant to be your child's sole teacher. They aren't. They ARE, however, a fabulous addition and enhancement to your child's regular studies, that adds another dimension to their education, and thus, helps to ensure their success.

From baby items like the LeapFrog Learn & Groove™ Musical Table, toddler toys like the phonics-self-teaching line that starts with the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set, complete educational systems to teach your child to read independently, on their own, expandable school aides such as the LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game System for lower grades, and the LeapFrog LeapPad Learning System for upper grade school, LeapFrog products are the best I've ever seen. Heck, they even have the FLY Fusion Pentop Computer for middle and high school! And they're constantly coming out with new neat little toys, for our increasingly tech-savvy children, like the new LeapFrog Text and Learn. We actually have, or have had, most of the products I mentioned above, and that's really saying something, coming from this picky homeschooling mom! You know the toy is great when you sneak off to play with it when the kids aren't looking! *sheepish grin* My family loves LeapFrog for all that they do, and how they bring our family together in learning and fun. Notice that I'm still talking about being together with the children...

One of the biggest problems with families today is lack of personal interaction. With one-on-one time comes intelligence, social skills, and so much more. Too many parents seem to think that a child is simply some sort of pet that requires more expensive pet-sitters, when in reality, children are developing adults in progress, and need to be nurtured, not ignored and passed from person to person or center to center like some sort of inconvenience. Love, time, patience, attention; These are what a child needs most. Not even a beneficial product can do much good without a parent's involvement and encouragement in their child's life. You want your time fixing dinner to be good for your child's developing brain? Sit them in a high-chair or baby safety seat and sing to them while you work. Talk to them about what you are doing. Honestly, your time is what works best, even if divided amongst other tasks at times.

Tried and true since birth for both my 15 year old and my 8yr old, LeapFrog products have helped to teach my youngest how to read (she did it by herself!), and aided my eldest a lot in her geography, mathematics and foreign language studies. The products are so fun, that I enjoy playing with them and learning from them too!

Definitely NOT what I would expect to see mentioned, even in passing, in an article focusing on deceptive marketing, false advertising, and high hopes, dashed to the stones below. LeapFrog products are great. We don't watch television, so I have no clue if they advertise, or what their advertisements look like if they do. I DO know that when I went to the store to find a good toy that was a bit more than simply fun, I tested LeapFrog against everything else there, then purchased it for my kids. We sometimes play with the toys together, as a family.

I have yet to be disappointed.

Black Friday Ponderings

2009-11-10T02:52:00.001-06:00

Maria Carey and Taylor Swift are at the top of the search engines again, and I don't really care. I'm not much for popular culture... of the country I live in anyway, but what I did find interesting is that in the number two spot for most searched is Black Friday.

Of course, I can fix your need to go out into the freezing cold before the crack of dawn with a Turkey-stuffed gut, but that comes later in the post. Please, read on. *smile*

Now, I'm one of those folks who is relatively miffed that the holiday decorations go up in the stores, often even before Halloween, and with so many others bemoaning it, I'm actually rather shocked to see that particular phrase at the top of the search lists so soon. I mean, seriously, if so many people were actually, honestly, upset about the holiday gift-giving season being marketed earlier and earlier each year, one would think that they would be careful not to send messages to the advertising companies that encourage the practice.

Ya know, messages to advertisers like thousands of people searching for Black Friday, simultaneously, in the first week of November?

Now, I know that these folks are just trying to get their shopping done early, and beat the crowds... No, let me change that; they're trying to join the desperate throng of early-morning shoppers the day after Thanksgiving in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, they will be close enough to the front of the line to get a chance at the one or two items they really want.

But I digress.

It's a bit worrisome to me that there are so many people risking their health this flu season, just to get a pretty, or a shiney for the ones they love. I'm a huge fan of gift-giving, and I do it whenever I get the chance. In fact, it's constantly on my mind, all year long. I eagerly anticipate any occasion when I can give a gift to someone and not be looked at funny for my inherent generousity. *chuckle*

For instance? I already have most of my holiday shopping done. I've had it done for the last several months. If I had my way, I'd also have all of my grocery shopping and everything else done for the next couple of months, so I wouldn't have to deal with the pressing crowds and tinkling, repetitive music every time I visited the market for a dozen eggs. That's not going to happen, but what is not going to happen, is that I will not be in the stores buying trinkets and doodads for my family and friends this year. No window-shopping, no last-minute thingies to finis off the perfect present, nothing.

But I'm giving gifts. Oh yes, I will be giving tokens of my love and appreciation to those closest to me. I'll just be a bit more reasonable, safe, and frugal about it than most.

Now, I don't want to let out any secrets, but I'm buying Tupperware for some folks this year, and honestly, it's the best, earth-friendly, frugal gift I could buy or give. With the lifetime guarantee, the cherished memories we all have of our favorite plastic-ware growing up, and the serious discounts you get by buying a set to break up into individual presents, it's the best deal around. Of course, then you get the bonus of saving your recipients money and time in their home, and it's a prospect full of win for everyone!

But I digress yet again.

I'm hosting a Tupperware fundraiser to raise money for my youngest daughter's needs. We're trying to make her a real, legal, part of our family, and get her some important medical treatments that aren't covered by our insurance.

Your holiday gift-buying can help us make that happen.

With products starting at a mere $6.50, and everything from toys and cookie-cutters to containers that can keep strawberries fresh for up to two weeks and the food storage containers that America has loved for generations, there's something for everyone in the exclusive fundraising catalog. I did say exclusive, the stuff in the fundraising catalog is not what you will see in the regular print or online catalog. In fact, it isn't available anywhere, at any time, except when you know someone who is having, or participating in a fundraiser.

So save your money, save your time, save your health, and help a little girl out in the process.

Visit our online fundraiser by clicking here now!

If you want something from the regular catalog, that helps too, just not as much as buying through our fundraiser, which gives us 40% of the item cost towards her needs.

We hope you have a happy, safe holiday season, and may all your gifts bring great joy.

Visual Kei On a Budget: A Photo Tutorial

2009-11-06T11:59:00.001-06:00

Okay, I know it is almost an oxy-moron. Visaul Kei and budget don't even belong in the same post, much less the same sentence!

If you are familiar with cosplay, the Final Fantasy games, J-pop, or anime at all, then you have an idea of what Visual Kei is.

But only the vaguest of ideas...

See, Visual Kei is a music genre that encompasses a bizarre combination of what happened when 80's hair bands, Jpop, and punk smashed together, and created something altogether new. Born in Japan, it mixes cosplay, metal, gothic and glam. Visual kei bands are very extravagant, and you can usually tell a Visual Kei band or artist by their elaborate costumes, crazy-impossible hairstyles, and bold, daring makeup, usually applied over some variety of lighteining foundation. Want an idea of what I'm talking about? A simple example:

"Dir En Grey" Get the idea? Of course, this is not our favorite Visual Kei band, but this promo shot has the most varied imagery on which to base a generalized idea of the genre. *smile*

So, two days before Halloween, Willamina tells me she would love to be Visual Kei for her costume. Being me, I tell her that's no problem, and I can make that happen. She protested, saying we had nothing that would work for a costume that elaborate, and I gave her a short list of things to acquire from our closets, and the costuming bucket while I went out shopping.

A little while later, I returned with a can of hairspray, some red lipliner (I needed some anyway), a small jar of ivory foundation, a tube of white clown makeup, and some black eyeliner (useful for both her and her sister's costume). Total cost; about $20

Yes, that's all we're working with here. Budget-minded enough for you yet?

No? Okay, I didn't really have to buy the $7 hairspray, and I couldn't find red lipliner at the dollar shop, so sue me. *wink* If I had, though, or we'd had some liquid foundation at the house, I could have gotten away with spending a mere $6, tax included. Better? *grin*

When I returned, she had gathered my little stretchy vest, a red scarf, some leftover red hairspray from some other event, her little sister's white dress shirt, a couple of punk lace-up arm warmers I got on clearance last year after Halloween, some gold chains she had lying around, her black exercise pants, a punky leather collar, black pleather boots, and a sleeveless little t-shirt-like overcoat that buttons in the front. You know the kind that proper young ladies wear over their plain, long-sleeved dresses in the winter?

So with all of these disparate items, I got to work.

First came the sketch. A working example of what I planned on creating. Not pretty, but functional, and it gave a decent idea to W as to what I intended for her. But still she couldn't fathom how, exactly, I was going to pull it off with the seemingly meager supplies we had brought together.

Then I dressed her partially and set her in the chair for hair and makeup.

Doesn't she look so very excited? This, my loves, is a picture of teen disbelief. She was willing to let me try, but didn't think it would turn out very well, despite the fact that I told her that her hair alone would take me nearly two hours to complete...

Somewhat more excited here, about 45 minutes into her hairstyling. Resting frequently to assuage the complaints of "yanking my hair out of my head", these sacrifices were necessary for "the look" she wanted. We still have not touched the colored hairspray in this shot, this is the (dyed) color of her hair.

Of course, after a lot more time, and application of the colored hairspray to the tips of her spikes only, we achieved this (spray drift caused the blended-color effect).

Makeup was quick by comparison, custom-mixing the shade of pale that I could easily blend with the natural shade of her neck, drawing on the bold lip design and eye makeup, and finishing off with kanji on her cheek just for spice; the Japanese character for "candy". Perfect for trick-or-treating!

Hoping to grab a cheap pair of ears for her sister's costume before our homeschool group's Halloween party, we dropped off at a local big box store. We didn't find any pink kitty ears, but we did find something perfect for W's costume!

A broken umbrella, and I knew just what to do with it, too!

Ah, sweet broken umbrella, discarded, unloved. The most overlooked piece of costuming potential to ever sit abandoned on the ground at my feet...

Oh yes, I had plans for that umbrella, and my plans involved a pair of scissors and some safety pins.

After that, it was simply a matter of finding a suitable backdrop for a photo of the finished product.

Costume bonus; every time the spikes were pushed down, they sprang back into place!

Halloween in an Economic Slump

2009-11-04T23:17:00.005-06:00

Well, our Halloween was great. We went to the same neighborhood as every year. Our nearly mile-long walk netted the girls about 2.5lbs of candy each, and everyone loved Willamina's costume.

But it was nothing like last year. This year, it was obvious that the purse strings had been tightened in many households. Last year, the girls came home with about 3.5lbs of candy each, but that's not where it showed the most.

In the costuming department, very few folks had the outrageous and exciting costumes of previous years. There were lass home-made costumes, and less people out begging for candy, overall. The houses were also different. While our favorite neighborhood usually has every house open, and costumed adults and children handing out candy, this year, about 1/3 of the houses had their lights out. No candy, no celebration.

There are a couple of bright spots every year on our route; the

house that hands out fresh-made cotton candy, the house that gives away a single hot dog, grilled right there in their yard, mini play-dough, the haunted house garage, the family-friendly spooky movie carport, the spider in a tree that dropped on unsuspecting candy-hunters, adults posing as mannequins to surprise unsuspecting visitors, and all the garish decorations at every house, new designs and styles to enjoy each year. It's something to remember, and we look forward to it with giddy anticipation.

Well this year, there were no hot dogs, and no cotton candy. Only one house had real people posing still to scare the kids (and parents), the spider was suspiciously missing, and of the few houses that were actually decorated, many re-used last year's decor. What candy there was, ran out quicker than ever, and instead of the usual chocolate and rare goodies, there were several

houses that had been forced to resort to DumDum pops and tootsie rolls...

Yeah, it showed. Even the movie carport was gone, being reduced only to a small seating area with a creepy gauzy"doorway". Guess the cutting back included the utility bills too.

Not that is wasn't great. Far from it, in fact. All of the great celebratory feeling was still there, and people were happy. The weather was great, and everyone was as friendly as ever. We had a great time with our friends, and ended with our traditional dinner at a local pizza joint that we only ever visit on Halloween night.

But I noticed, and so did the other parents. The kids noticed things missing, but didn't seem to mind. It's sad when holidays and festivities have to suffer because of a bad economy, but I guess everything shrinks a little when things get tough. I guess I just didn't quite expect it. Not on Halloween, not in our favorite neighborhood.

Thinking we could maybe give the sugared-up kids a little more room to run after our initial fun, we dropped by a spot where we used to go. You know, the fabled neighborhood where they give out full-sized candy bars, and coupons for free Krispy Cream doughnuts? Well, usually, around 9pm, the houses there begin to close, but there are always a few stragglers with a bit of extra candy to give, waiting with their lights on for the later of the candy-gatherers.

Closed, lights off. All but one house in the entire neighborhood.

So, in a last-ditch effort to extend the fun, we drove around looking for college parties to crash. Always fun, a parent MUST go with the kids, but watching the newly-adult scramble in a frantic search for candy for the cute little kids that just appeared at their party is amusing to say the least.

We hit up a couple of parties successfully, and encountered a group of folks spinning fire behind a nearby coffee house before the kids (and parents) were simply too tired to carry on.

That's okay though, it was after midnight when we stopped our hunt for candy and amusement, and we would have been tired by then even if we hadn't had so much fun. *smile*

So that was the extent of our Halloween, and regardless of how hard the financial crisis effected us, and our community, we made the best of it, and had a lot of fun!

My little pink lion decided that her ruff was too itchy, and since we couldn't afford fake ears this year, and didn't have any leftover pink hairspray, this is how she went out trick-or treating. Everyone knew what she was though (some sort of pink kitty), and she still had loads of fun. *smile*

Blech

2009-11-01T16:51:00.002-06:00

Well, the car I've had for only 4 months is now completely dead. I paid nearly 3k for it, it had a significant problem that required nearly $500 in repairs, and less than 3 days after I got it back from the mechanic, the transmission died completely.

No clue what I'm going to do about it either. I've already borrowed all that I can from my family, and I have no clue where I could go to find a reliable vehicle for the minuscule amount I could afford.

These things happen though, and we'll get through this the same way we've gotten through every other obstacle in our lives.

At least we have our health! :D

Public Slander on Craigslist

2009-10-28T17:26:00.002-05:00

Interesting little note on Craigslist today, using my full name and everything.

Anyone know of a good slander/libel lawyer in Springfield?

Bizarre Foods Party

2009-10-23T10:33:00.000-05:00

Well, it's coming up, this Sunday is the Bizarre foods party!

6:30pm, Downtown Springfield

A fantastic pre-Halloween adventure.

Call 631-2986 for more information and to RSVP.

Judicial System: Still A Fail

2009-10-22T03:32:00.002-05:00

The court case went on, but I got a call about it the day after it happened, so I couldn't be there. Seems that the male registered a plea bargain, so instead of it being his sentencing hearing as i was told it was going to be, it was just him entering his plea officially.

At least I didn't miss much.

But his next court date is sometime in January. The entire holiday season, I get to worry about my kids seeing him out and about. If they do, it may ruin their holiday, and E's birthday too, depending on when/if they see him. It's something a mom worries about.

As of the 25th of this month, it will have been a year since his offense.

So much for justice being swift.

Automotive Nonconveyance

2009-10-21T01:36:00.003-05:00

I drove up to Buffalo the other day on business, and on my way back, my car decided that it's get up & go had got up and left. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get up to 65 on the highway when your acceleration is nil?!? Yeah, not fun.

You know that sound that souped-up mega-cars make on the raceway? Yeah, that's the sound my car was making. Along with the lurching, it was quite an experience for myself and the girls!

So, the car is now in the shop, waiting to be checked thoroughly after they can get it to hold fluid sometime in the morning. *boggle* I don't know how it happened, but all of a sudden, it was all very seriously messed up and essentially undriveable.

I hope it's fixed really, really soon, because I have things I need to do, like buy more food for the bizarre foods party I'm holding this Sunday. It's been such a hit, so many people have RSVPd, that I have to go buy more foodstuffs to endure that everyone gets a taste of what I'm serving! *grin*

The party is open to the public, so if you're interested, drop me a line. (If you comment about your interest and leave your number, I won't post it for others to see, I promise.)

Judicial System Fail

2009-10-10T15:20:00.003-05:00

We were supposed to go to court the other day.

we were supposed to see an accused child molester get his just sentencing.

We were going to rejoyce that our city's streets were once again a little safer...

But that wasn't to be the case.

In fact, nothing happened at all.

Why, you might ask?

Because the judge decided that he needed the day off at the last minute. Not that he called in sick or anything, he just decided not to go to work.

So we can conclude that because of the flighty nature of a single person, an unregestered sex offender that plead guilty on his case, is STILL wandering free on our streets, and none of our community's families can be duly warned via the normal routes of checking the sex offender databases online.

Lovely, huh?

You're invited! Theme Parties Open To The Public!

2009-10-07T13:03:00.003-05:00

Want to learn something new, or have an exciting new experience?

How about a challenge for your bravery and your tastebuds?

Then I have some parties for you!

I am hosting a series of Themed Tupperware parties, and there is one to suit nearly everyone!

Tightwad Auction Party

Frugality & Free Tupperware

10/07/09, 6:30pm, Springfield, MO

For more information & to RSVP, click here.

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Eco-Auction Party

Saving The Planet With Free Plastic!

October 15, 2009, 6:30pm, Springfield, MO

For more information & to RSVP, click here.

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Fear Factor Party

Hauntings & Bizarre Foods!

October 25, 2009, 6:30pm, Springfield, MO

For more information & to RSVP, click here.

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Holiday Gatherings Auction Party

Starting the season off right with free Tupperware!

October 29, 2009, 6:30pm, Springfield, MO

For more information & to RSVP, click here.

~~~~~~~~~

Also coming soon!

Drunk & Dirty

Fund Raiser Expose'

To host your own exciting custom-theme party, contact me today!

Tupperware parties no longer have to be held in your home! You can have your party at a park, at a restaurant, in a local community center, and more!

Upcoming Events

2009-09-30T17:50:00.002-05:00

I have been having an absolute blast micro-blogging via Twitter, and been so busy that it's all I've had time for! *chuckle*

What has been keeping me so busy, you may ask?

Well, here's the short list.

I have been really enjoying painting faces at birthday parties and MSU's Bearfest Village with ArtFoodFun.com.

Tupperware parties and fabulously fun meetings have held shining spots in my weekly calendar.

Unpacking and setting up the new apartment is coming along steadily.

The kids are adjusting to the new ways our household is run quite nicely, and they have decided that our more-rigid scheduling is a comfort in our daily lives instead of an inconvenience. *chuckle*

I've even managed to spend a bit more time with my friends than I was the previous couple of months!

Life is great, and getting better all the time!

Breaking News: Near Riot In Downtown Springfield

2009-09-28T13:40:00.002-05:00

Downtown Springfield early yesterday morning was like a scene from an LA news report.

Large crowds, officers arresting a man with a gun, brawls breaking out in the middle of the intersection of Campbell avenue and St. Louis streets, a canister gun, police dogs, pepper spray, and billy clubs at the ready.

Before we got out our phones, we saw the police stop a car moving south down north Campbell street, and arrest him. At the time of the above images, he was in the third police car east of the intersection. We also saw them take a loaded gun from him and empty the bullets out of it, onto the street.

The Springfield Missouri interactive crime scene map has "weapon violation" and "notes" for the happenings, but nothing else.

Talk on the street, and basic conjecture based on what we saw with our own eyes leads us to believe that the following is as close to the full story as we are going to get.

The police raided a wild party that was happening at ERA, one of the local rental venues downtown. When one of the participants tried to run in his car, a short chase ensued, which led him to drive the wrong way down a one-way street. They headed him off at the pass, so to say, and blocked his passage, effectively trapping him in place. When they approached his car, he brandished a handgun, which they quickly removed from his possession and place in an officer's car, then removed him from his car, handcuffing and pushing him against his vehicle for a quick search before placing him into one of the nine attending police cars.

Not very many people were around for that part, just a few curious onlookers on their way to to and from the bars downtown, and us at the top of Rendevous coffee house, who had let our Tupperware fund-raising meeting screech to a halt in order to view the unfolding events.

As the crowd grew, however, things got rowdy. I can only assume that after busting the party, the police screened the attendees and let them go, which resulted in a huge amount of individuals and groups, headed straight for the parking areas around the square. Most of them walked straight up Campbell street, and the trouble began.

At first, it was just a few, seriously impaired (via drugs or alcohol) individuals in a small group, who approached the police, looking like they were trying to start a fight. More folks filtered in rather rapidly then, about 3/4 of which looked like they were under some pretty strong influence from some substance or another.

These new folks were alternately throwing things at the police cars, sitting on the hoods of the police cars, and attempting to start fights with either the police or one-another, that it was really hard to keep track of everything at once. We saw men removing their shirts to throw at the officers, and females appearing to try to seduce groups of officers at once.

Then the presiding officers called for more backup.

At a whopping eleven police cars and a paddy wagon, they brought out the pepper spray, several dogs, and, from reports, either a canister gun for tear gas or a rifle with rubber bullets. (our informer couldn't tell which it was) A female officer was called onto the scene, and all of the officers on location were brandishing their night sticks, seemingly as much for their own protection as for the intimidation of the growing crowds, which surrounded them on all sides.

The police were finally able to shoo nearly all of the crowds away and get people to move on to their proper destinations, but the whole shebang lasted over an hour, during which, we meeting attendees could not leave the coffee house with assurance that we would be safe, so we watched and took pictures from the upstairs windows.

A pretty okay shot of the dogs after the crowd dispersed for the most part.

These folks were told to move along, but they couldn't because the police cars had them trapped.

And the paddy wagon arrived for extra backup.

The police blocked off Campbell street for a while.

Putting away the canister gun and pepper spray canisters.

After it all calmed down, they were able to tow the perpetrator's car away to finish searching it.

Side note: See the little heart made of light on the trash can in the foreground? A sure sign of brighter days to come!

Pardon the quality of the photos, all I had was my mobile phone when this was going on.

Update 10/1/09: I just learned that the police's version of events was on a news report not long after I posted my report here. Unfortunately, there were no first-hand accounts of what happened, so they were unable to get the full story. While my data is rather incomplete without their report, their report is glaringly false on several points.

I have left the above post unedited to preserve the integrity of my blogging. What I learned from their report; The party was at Remington's, not ERA, as I had heard. There were fights inside the venue.

Where their report was wrong or misleading; A man went to his car and pulled out a gun, hiding it in his waistband, which the police saw and arrested him. (No mention of a car chase, and I'm sure he hadn't parked facing southbound on Campbell avenue with police cars behind and in front of his vehicle). The fights spilled out onto the street. (We observed several hundred people walking peacably, if drunk, north up Campbell avenue, only breaking into fights when they neared or arrived at the intersection of Campbell & St. Louis, where the police were concentrated, and the mass of the crowds were gathered.)

I have also learned from my daughter, who was there with me at my meeting, that she had counted 13 police cars from the safety of the upstairs window, not 11, while I was out gathering first-hand reports from others on the sidewalk after the crowds had cleared out.

[Where: 65802]

Three Little Words That Ensure Success

2009-09-27T04:48:00.002-05:00

Ever had problems realizing your dreams?

There are three simple words that can nealry guarantee your success, both in business and in life. No matter what it is that you put your mind to, put your heart into... When you have weiged a plan, measured it's value to you, personally, and found it worthwhile, this one small phrase will make all the difference between failure and roaring success.

In every aspect of your life, from your family, to work, it works every time, for everything you are passionate about. From the minutest little goal to your most cherished dream, it's guaranteed to help make reality out of your desires.

Let It Happen

When opportunity knocks, are you too busy, too tired, or too distracted to answer the door?

Do you give yourself excuses as to why your life isn't better than it was yesterday?

The only thing standing in the way of your success is you.

Are you willing to move in a positive direction?

Are you ready for change?

Are you ready to allow success into your life?

If so, shed your old, hum-drum lifestyle.

Welcome your future with open arms.

Let it happen

Call toll free 1.888.693.6372 today!

Auction Party!

2009-09-20T18:09:00.004-05:00

I have planned a special, super-fun Tupperware party for you!

At my party, you will see the new face of Tupperware, and earn play money called Tupperbucks, that you can use for the auction for real Tupperware at the end of the party!

Even better; You can start earning your Tupperbucks RIGHT NOW!

Here's how to start earning Tupperbucks immediately:

$1000 ~ Attend the party.

$1000 ~ Arrive on time.

$1000 ~ Print & bring this invitation with you.

$2000 ~ RSVP

$6000 ~ Triple Bonus! Bring an uninvited adult guest. (earn Tupperbucks for each extra adult guest you bring!)

$4000 ~ Bring an order other than your own. (full online catalog available at http://my.Tupperware.com/kryistina for pre-party browsing)

$5000 ~ Bring a completed guest list with you for the party that you will host.

You can earn even more Tupperware during the party itself, so bring yourself, bring a friend, and let the fun begin !

Phone:

1.888.693.6372

Going once…Going twice…Going three times…

See you there!!!

Accused Child Molester Loose in Springfield !

2009-09-19T03:30:00.004-05:00

New to me news

*Unregistered, accused** child molester, Clifton Junkins is again loose on the streets in Springfield.

After the News-Leader's full-color front page article on Saturday, April 4th of 2009, stating that he had "reportedly" confessed, and his subsequent arrest, he was held in jail, in protective custody for his own safety.

He was released from jail early this month on his own reconnisance, with restrictions to not contact any person under the age of 17.

He has been out and about, including places where everyone knows there are regularly a large number of children and teens.

As this male has not finished his court proceedings, he is NOT regulated by ANY of the sex offender laws. This means that he can legally live near your child's school and all of the other things that are prohibited for registered sex offenders.

Since the time of this picture, and his release from jail, he may have shaved his beard and cut his hair short. He is 5'3, and looks very young when clean-shaven.

*Only the facts of the matter have been reported in this article. Opinions and personal beliefs have been edited out to ensure clarity and accuracy.

**As he has not legally been found guilty at this time, I must say that he is simply "accused". When he is found guilty of his crime(s), I will be allowed to say "CONVICTED".

Hidden Veggies for the Picky Eater

2009-08-26T13:06:00.000-05:00

Do you have a picky eater in your house who hates vegetables? Is it a trial to make sure that your family gets all of their vitamins each day?

Well, there's been a lot of talk of hiding vegetables in other foods, but very few people actually talk about what vegetables and how.

That's what I'm doing today.

Okay, run and get your Tupperware Quick Chef. Take whatever veggies you want to serve your family and chop them into a nearly unrecognizable oblivion, then add them to the food.

Fresh veggies in small chunks in a specialty ranch dip is a delight to dip chicken fingers and other kid favorites in.

Add a mild-flavored veggie mash (carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, etc), into any baked goods (cakes, brownies, etc.).

Use your bolder flavors (bell peppers, cabbage, peas, green beans, dried beans, etc.) in meatloaf, and even numerous rice and pasta dishes.

I like to use bean paste and whole grains to make flavored patties with for the grill, and the kids love them with chopped onions and a little garlic powder. Of course, they don't have to know that I've snuck in some carrots, bell peppers, and sun dried tomatoes in there too.

Somehow, most picky eaters aren't even really that aware of how the vegetable tastes, so much as they have conditioned themselves to think "that thing that looks like that tastes bad" because they've lived so long thinking that after having tried it once. By hiding things in food, and/or serving an item without telling folks what it was, I have "cured" "allergies", and made people love things that they previously thought they had hated.

Healthy eating to you!

The Healing of America: A Look at Global Healthcare Plans

2009-08-24T20:23:00.000-05:00

News and reporting you need!

There's been a lot of debate and argument about what Obama and the rest of the government is trying to do to "make health care affordable and available" to all Americans.

Let me start by saying that nobody knows exactly what they're doing behind closed doors, and we have no clue what type of plan they're hammering out up in Washington. Without that knowlege, we can neither approve of the Wasington plan, nor reject it.

That bit of reason injected into the debate, let us begin.

Many groups would have you beleive that long waits like those that exist in Canada are the only form of so-called "socialized healthcare" available. Fortunately, that's not accurate, as there are four large, wealthy countries just like ours that have a singular, overall government health care plan. Only one has a long wait for specialty doctors or physicians that cover acute conditions, and that's Canada.

But we don't have to pick and follow Canada's government health care plan.

Others talk about how expensive health care is in our country, and the drastic costs and tax increases that would be manditory to be able to pay for such an expansive plan.

And you know what, they're right.

But what they're not telling you is that the cost of a country's health care costs overall reduces drastically when there is only one main plan. That means one set of rules, one place to file insurance claims, and a mandatory period (usually just a few days) in which the fees are paid to the physicians. When a doctor or hospital doesn't have to stock up on money so they can stay open until the next insurance claim is paid, spend money on administration, and train & employ folks to handle the avalanche of paperwork that exists in our current system, the costs drop like a lead balloon. If that one plan covers everything but Botox and breast augmentation, then health and quality of life are assured, for less than we're spending right now on health care for the disabled and elderly alone! Of course, folks that want those unnecessary extras are allowed to purchase supplimental health insurance to cover those cosmetic procedures; We wouldn't want anyone going without what makes them happy...

You also don't hear about how we could adopt one country's special super-secured health card that carries your encrypted health information in a centralized database. Nope, we don't hear about a card that can keep each and every doctor we see informed about how we're doing, what meds we're taking, our allergies, recent appointments and the like. Of course that card would take the place of all of the medic alert bracelets out there, make sure we got the best treatment possible in the quickest amount of time with no risk of negative drug interaction because we forgot to report a pill we were taking, or our alzheimers parent or grandparent's chart is lost... Not needing to take an updated list of curent medications to the doctor every time you visit sure sounds handy to me. It's all on the card, keeping us healthy and safe, even when/if we can't speak for ourselves.

Imagine a land where no insurance carrier is allowed to be a for-profit, there's no price-gouging, doctors get paid right away for their services, costs are down, nobody can be denied health care for any reason, and you never have to drag yourself all over the place in order to get releases for your files from one physician to another...

Life is simpler, healthier, and happier. The economy recovers, and we all live better for it.

But don't take my word for it.

As heard on National Public Radio, earlier today.

"Journalist and author T.R. Reid set out on a global tour of hospitals and doctors' offices, all in the hopes of understanding how other industrialized nations provide affordable, effective universal health care. The result: his book The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care.

Reid is a foreign correspondent for The Washington Post — in whose pages he recently addressed five major myths about other countries' health-care systems — and the former chief of the paper's London and Tokyo bureaus.

Reid was the lead correspondent for the 2008 Frontline documentary Sick Around the World, which examined five other capitalist democracies, looking for lessons on health-care delivery."

Click here to listen to the full interview, and judge for yourself what America, and Americans, could do to create effecient, effective, and complete health care for all of it's citizens at a lowered cost, regardless of their health status or income level.

As a other, I tell my children to learn from the mistakes and successes of others. It makes life easier, and more enjoyable. What if we, as a country, did the same?

It's a real eye-opener!

As an addendum, let me mention this; Everyone pays taxes to keep the fire department running, but very few people ever have a fire. Somehow, nobody complains that we pay that tax. Do you know why? It's because we know that our taxes go to ensure that if our home or office catches fire, for whatever reason, someone will be there to put it out without pause.

No questions, no paperwork, no "can you pay your bill", just putting out the fire when it needs to be done.

Wouldn't it be nice if health care worked that way too?

Instead of figting over the if, let's join together and work out the best possible how.

Isn't it time we took some action to make sure the government does the right thing, the right way for once?

You're Invited!

2009-08-20T05:27:00.020-05:00

You are cordially invited to my Tupperware Online Party!

I am hosting this Online Party to ~~tell you about all of the new great products Tupperware has to offer to simplify your kitchen, home, and life~~ GET FREE TUPPERWARE!

Tupperware is the only lifetime guaranteed, environmentally sound, green solution to saving food and money.

Please click this link to begin browsing through the geat products and special offers available only through my online party.

The best part of hosting or attending a party online is that you never have to leave your house, or even get dressed! Browse and order from home, and get your new Tupperware delivered right to your door, no matter where you live in the U.S.!

Press play on any of the videos below to learn more about the product from consultants worldwide and watch Tupperware in action!

Quick Chef, Spatula, Chef Series Knives, Measuring Spoons, & Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend; Let's make Mango-Pineapple Salsa!

Microfiber Cloths and Towels

With 111 items under $20, and the best space-saving colander in the universe (the Flat Out colander) at only $10, Tupperware is a great way to save time, space, and money in your kitchen, and your life!

Kids & Their Tupperware: Ice Prism Sparkly Bowl

Ergonomic Corkscrew - Never Pry a Cork out of the Bottle Again!

FlatOut Colander
~Flat Out colander unavailable after August 28th, so get it quick!~

Bored Brits & FlatOut Bowls - Lighthearted Fun

Blooming Teas, Loose Leaf Teas, Tea Infuser, & Scones
(White China items not available at this time, feel free to skip that portion of this video)

Fridge Storage

Kitchen Shears

Kids & Their Tupperware: Shape-O-Ball = Hours of Fun!

Modular Mates: Dry Goods Storage

Cake & Cupcake Transport & Storage. Works great for Jello shots too!

Twistable Peeler

How sturdy is Tupperware? They towed a car with it!

Be sure to click on the link above to ensure that you're participating in my Tupperware Online Party. My Party will last until Aug. 31, 2009 (EST). If you have any questions, please call this toll-free number: 1-888-693-6372.

Thanks for participating in my Tupperware Online Party!

Feel free to tell all your family and friends too, and let them in on the great goodies and special deals that you can only get at an online party! Everyone's invited!

Imagine life on your terms; more time for family, friends and fun, more flexibility and true financial freedom.

Stop asking yourself why you don't have the time, happiness, health, and money you desire. Instead, ask yourself; "Why not? Invest two minutes of your time; call toll free 1-866-376-7518 to hear about the Tupperware opportunity, then call a consultant toll free at 1-888-693-6372. They'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, and help you get started on the path to your dreams!

The lifestyle of Tupperware leaders is nothing less than wonderful! Trips, diamonds, cars and cash bonuses are just a few of the perks you can find in Tupperware.

* Consultants and/or websites advertised in some of the videos are not a part of my Tupperware party. Only the links provided here will let you join my party. Videos used with permission from their respective owners.

Cheap & Tasty!

2009-08-17T23:43:00.000-05:00

TVP!

Soaked in hot broth of any type (mushroom, beef, vegetable, chicken, pork, or even lobster), it's less than 50 cents a pound reconstituted, takes flavor fabulously, and works great alone as a meat substitute, or in tandem with a meat to stretch the meat budget.

Cheap and tasty fun: Wonton wraps, cream cheese, a dab of olive oil, and lobster-broth soaked TVP. Makes for some seriously tasty crab rangoon wannabe for the side of that stir fry! *grin*