Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial

    The Arkansas Fallen Firefighters Memorial celebrated their ground breaking on Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at the Capital in Little Rock. Daniel and I are so excited to be a part of bringing this memorial to life. What better way can we honor the families of those lost in service then to see this dream through.

    On September 20, 1975 Daniel’s father, Davey, and two of his fellow McGehee firefighters were killed while answering a call. At the time of his death Davey was only 27 years old and Daniel barely two.

    Our friends, family, co-workers, and the strangers we’ve met along the way  can all attest to the man Daniel has grown up to be. A man his Mother, Marilyn, is proud to call her son, and the son his Father is equally proud to watch over.

    Daniel was never given the chance to know his Dad, the relationship they could’ve had was lost in that fire. Many other families, too many to name, know this hurt and pain. Daniel in a sense is fortunate; his Mom kept his Dad’s letters, journals, and other personal things so her son could know the man she will forever love. Other families are not as lucky; other spouses, children, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles need their something. Some have only a picture, some just the name, but for the majority of these families a memorial in honor of the one they loved is all that they will have.

    The Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial has a current list of The Fallen that stands at 99. The list dates back to  April of 1889. That’s 99 families that all deserve our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and help.

    The memorial is being funded through donations. They Arkansas Fallen Firefighters memorial Organization has done their best to give those of us willing and able multiple ways to support the project. There have been Boot Fest Concerts to raise awareness and funds. There are things like lapel pins or bracelets that can be purchased with the proceeds going directly yo the Memorial. There are granite pavers being sold. The state offers Fallen Firefighter car tags, and or course they always accept cash donations.

    If you’re interested or would like more information I encourage you to visit their website, www.arfallenfirefighters.org. Together we can give Daniel, his family, and the members of the other 99 Fallen firefighters’ families our thanks for their sacrifice, the respect, honor, and Memorial they deserve.

Thanksgiving Tips And Crowd Pleasing Pumpkin Pie

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Now the holidays have officially kicked-off. And, that makes me oh so happy. Cooking for the holidays is one of my most favorite things to do.

I figured I’d share a few little tips I’ve found over the years while preparing my family’s Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey Tip Number 1. Use an oven bag. Who ever invented those things was a genius!

Turkey Tip Number 2. When you’re readying your Turkey for placement in the bag, rub a packet of dried Italian Salad Dressing mix on the bird. The flavor is amazing! You know I wouldn’t lie to you.

Cranberry Sauce Tip Number 1. Forget the canned jelly stuff. Make it yourself. It’s super easy and so much better. Just follow the directions on the bag of cranberries.

Cranberry Sauce Tip Number 2. When you’re making the cranberry sauce try adding in a capful (or two) of coconut rum. The alcohol content will cook away and the coconut brings the cranberry flavor to a whole new level.

Potato Tip Number 1. If mashed potatoes are a must, try making a “loaded” style. Mix in chive flavored cream cheese, or sour cream, with some shredded cheese, and maybe some green onions.

Potato Tip Number 2. If mashed potatoes aren’t a half to, change it up a bit and make a potato casserole.

I don’t really have any special tips for Green Bean Casserole, just make it. It has to be on our Thanksgiving table.

Sweet Potatoes Tip Number 1. Try adding a layer of marshmallows between the layers of sweet potatoes. They make it even more gooey and delicious.

Sweet Potatoes Tip Number 2. When you want to brown the marshmallows on top, try broiling on low.

The most important tip I could share is to not stress. Enjoy yourself. If preparing the meal feels too much like a daunting task then there is no point.

Take short cuts where you can and get your family involved.

Thanksgiving is meant to gather families and neighbors together so we can give thanks for all the good we have and the bad. The bad? Yes, the bad teaches us to appreciate the good and be grateful.

On to the recipe.

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve looked forward to November, not just because it’s my birthday month either. I looked forward to pumpkin pie.

It’s not thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, right?
So here it is

Perfectly Easy But Still Crowd Pleasing Pumpkin Pie

You’re going to need

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin (about 2 cups)

1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

Start by heating your oven to 425°F.

In a medium mixing bowl you want to whisk the pumpkin, the sweetened condensed milk, the eggs, the spices and salt together until it’s all smooth.

Now poor the pumpkin mixture into the pie crust.

You want to bake it for 15 minutes (at 425), and then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F; now bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted 1-inch from crust comes out clean.

Cool, and garnish as desired. We like cool-whip around here.

This year, as you gather around tables, take a moment and remember all the good and give thanks. Remember your neighbors, family and friends no longer with us, teachers, law enforcement, fire fighters, and other public servants.

Remember our troops.

And, if you have a little extra food left over, maybe make a plate and take it to the gas station, or store employee that’s stuck at work instead of being home with their family.

Best Wishes for the Happiest Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

 

 

I'm Thankful! And Soon, You'll Be Thankful Too

Back in August I attended the Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference. Myself and 70+ women joined together for a weekend of fun, laughter, learning and boots!!

When I was planning to attended the conference I had no idea what to expect. I knew I was going to be 3 hours from home with 70+ women, most of which I had never met, and we were staying in a state park.

Sounds fun right? (It was a freaking blast!)

I went in fearing the unknown but, I didn't go alone. I manged to drag my girl Heather along for the ride and together we dragged another Shannon along with us.

Our road trip there was awesome!

We sang, we talked about how Okies drive 90+ mph till we hit a curve then drop to 25 mph, and we debated the oxford comma.


We also had some really nasty McDonald's because we waited to long to stop and eat and ran out of choices.

Even the register at McDonald's was taunting us.

The AWB hosted several "twitter parties' to give each of us attending a way to connect with each other prior to packing up and heading down.

During one of the twitter parties Country Outfitter joined us.

That was a dang good twitter party!

By the end of it, I had a sponsor paying my way, an invitation to pick out any pair of boots I wanted, up to $150 value), and a gift for you!

Now, I know you're all distracted by the whole "gift for you" and don't worry I'll get to that.

First though, let me tell you about these BOOTS! Hey it is my blog ;) I should get to brag a little.

Look at these beauties!

 

 



I LOVE THEM!

I took roughly 2 weeks deciding which pair of boots I wanted. And I couldn't be more pleased!

I picked a pair by Justin. The Justin Women's Burnished Tan Boot to be exact!

They have survived hospital stays, mid terms, and divorce court. (Not mine! I'm a legal secretary, remember.)

Last week my giveaway was suppose to "go live". It didn't.

It didn't because last week I was in the hospital with my baby girl.

She was at her dad's for the weekend and while there she suffered a seizure like episode. We met up at the ER and after 5 hours of worry filled testing we were admitted.

Here is where the thankful part comes in.

While I was waiting with my daughter in the hospital some of the lovely women I've met through AWB were calling, texting, emailing etc. They were asking what they could do to make things easier.

They were sending positive vibes, and lots of prayers. They offered me dinner, or laundry, entertainment, or a shoulder to cry on. They just wanted us to know we weren't alone.

They cared!

Today as I type this I want to say I am thankful for my daughter's recovery.

I am thankful for my sweet Daniel's support.

I am thankful for Heather, Jasmine, Stephanie, Logan(who isn't a woman, but is a great Arkansas blogger), Kim, and so many others.

I am also thankful for good boots! They make the days easier sometimes.

Last but not least, I am thankful for you!

And, thanks to Country Outfitter you can be thankful for good boots too! (Yep, here's where that gift for you comes in.)

Country Outfitter would like to give one of my readers the gift of good boots (up to $150 value).

And, we've made it pretty simple for you.

1. Click HERE and submit your email address. (You may receive additional emails or offers from Country Outfitter it's totally worth it though! )

2. Leave a comment here on the blog telling me what you're thankful for and that you've submitted your email address.

A random winner will be selected in two weeks, November 29, 2012, after 9 p.m.

(DISCLOSURE: Country Outfitter, a retailer of Justin's Women's Boots gave me these Justin Women's Burnished Tan Boot to review, and as you can tell, I love them!)

 

 

Skin Is In, Part 2. A Giveaway For You!

So a week or so ago I told you all about my love of all things Therapon Skin Health related and especially the Theraderm Clinical Skin Care, Skin Renewal System.



This Stuff is GOLD

 



 

Seriously it's amazing!

 

So anyways, after I told you all about the company I decided to "man-up" and give you photographic proof of the change.

 

I showed you my before and after. 

 

Take a look at my early morning make up free face. (Times 2)

 

 

The before is on the left, the after is on the right.

And, that's just two weeks in.

I haven't edited either picture in any way.

If I had, I'd have done something about my unruly eyebrow.



 

See the difference?

Noticeably less redness on the right.

 

 

After my post went live I shared my results with Thearpon Skin Health on twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

Christina messaged me and offered to give one of my followers (US Resident Only) a complete Skin Renewal System so that someone else could share in the experience of clear healthy skin with me.

 

Knowing what it feels like to suffer with/from rosacea, I jumped at the chance to help someone else.

 

So, how do you win?

 

If you are a US Resident than leave a comment telling me what issues you have with your skin.

 

Hey, I shared mine it's only fair you share yours. And, you never know we might be able to get some pending skin questions answered for you.

 

Also, I think it's only fair to ask that you share some LOVE with a "Like" to the Theraderm ClinicalSkin Health by Therapon  facebook page.

 

While you're there you can find my Facebook page as well.

 



I'll be doing this drawing the old fashion way, ya knowing pulling a name/number at random, so please know that only your first comment will count as an entry.

 

Feel free to share this with your friends and family, maybe you can steal it from them if they win.

 

The drawing will be in one week on Wednesday October 24, 2012. That gives you time to enter and have your friends and family enter to. Plus, it gives me time to finish mid-terms.

 

 

That's it. Let's Recap.

 

Us Residents Only

 Leave a Comment Telling Me About Your Skin Issues,

 Show Some LOVE on Facebook. 

Drawing Will Be Held on 10/24/12

Pucker Up

Yay Saturday! I've been waiting a couple weeks for September the 8th.

I bet you're wondering why, aren't you?

Don't worry, I'm going to tell you.

A couple a weeks ago my friend Stephanie invited me to a NWArk Bloggers Meet-Up and today is the day.

The meet-up is sponsored by Therapon Skin Health.

We all get to try out their BRAND NEW Perfect Lip product, Pucker Up! Plus they're bringing a photographer and we all get NEW HEAD SHOTS!

And, like that alone is enough, there will be SWAG BAGS!

EEK!! I love that swag bags have entered my life. Some of the swag will be from Mrs. Meyers Clean Day, Oh Baby Foods, Country Outfitter, Blessings Unlimited, Junk Headbands, and Piggy Paint.

Wait, I'm not done...

The Moxy Ox is giving away 3 sets of 250 business cards! I'm not sure if you've seen their work but, chances are if you've seen any totally awesome business cards or stickers around here, they were probably designed by them.

Did I tell you that after the meet-up with the head shots, and the swag bags, we then get to go see STOMP at the Walton Arts Center?

Yep, we do!

Do You See What I See

Well... do you?

 
Heather and I kidnapped the third Shannon and headed off to Mountain View Arkansas for AWBU conference. (More on that whole kidnapping thing later) And, on our way we stopped at Mickey D's for a late dinner. Kidnapping isn't as easy as it seems so it took a little longer. (Again, more on that later)

While standing in what seemed like the longest MD line EVER, a shaggy looking barely 16 year old boy stepped up to the other register. 'Here," I whispered to Heather and Shannon, "he's going to open this line."

Nope.

He just stood there. Staring at all of us.

After a few minutes I noticed the screen on the register.

Yeah it was saying just what we all were thinking.

That POS was closed!

Road Trip to AWBU (Part 1)

This is how my Friday started.

After I got the majority of the kids off to school I dropped The Dad off at work, and headed to Bentonville to pick up my paycheck.

You see, AWBU conference was starting today and I was trying to streamline my preparation. I took The Dad to work because I was carpooling with my BFF Heather in what was planned to be karaoke fest 2012, and we didn't want to leave one of our vehicles parked away from home all weekend.

So anyways, I took the Dad to work and hit I-540 towards Bentonville. It's 9 am and my phone starts ringing. It's my other BFF Shawna. Shawna NEVER calls me in the morning, she has kids and a job, it just doesn't happen, so I of course thought something was wrong. Nothing was wrong, she just wanted to chat. So we did.

I don't know how often you talk to your girlfriends, but when Shawna and I get the chance to speak to each other not text, it's usually a whole lot of OMG and laughing.

We were chatting about nothing really, and Boy 2, the baby, was just singing to himself from the backseat, so I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings. I told Shawna I was headed to BV to get my check, and then home to pack for AWBU and the next thing I know I'm on the turnpike to Missouri.

MISSOURI!! In case you missed that!

Now that I was lost, I did what all good drivers do, I said "Shawna, hold on I'm lost" and then I turned the radio down.

I did manage to find my way out of Missouri and back into Arkansas. I also managed to remember to pick up my paycheck, eventually. (That's a whole other story)

Kicking Up My Boots At AWBU

Did you see my new badge?

It's over there on the left.

I'll give you a hint, #AWBU.

Ah, now you see it.

Little ol me is going to be a part of the Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference.

And, it's all thanks to the kind folks at Country Outfitter.

I've been a fan of Country Outfitter for awhile now. My daughters' birthday list usually consist of something from their website. So, when I heard they had signed on as a sponsor of the conference I was beyond excited. When I got a tweet saying they'd like to give me a scholarship to attend the conference, I did a happy dance. I did several happy dances.

Arkansas Women Bloggers, AWB, is a network of support for women in Arkansas that blog. I bet you kind of knew that by the name though, huh. AWB has given me a supportive group of women to bounce ideas off of, and that stand behind me cheering.

I'm a transplant to Arkansas, Originally from Oklahoma. When I moved, I left most of my support system behind. (You can look here for a little more about that.) The ladies in AWB have made this Okie feel a little less out of place, and a little less homesick.

I am thrilled to be attending the conference, and so grateful to Country Outfitter for sending me there.

I am looking forward to meeting so many new faces, and to be thanking them in person for the support they have given me. I hope to learn a thing or two, and make some new friends, and most importantly, to Gather~Grow~Connect.

Oh, and one more thing, stay tuned to the blog for the next few weeks; I've got a little surprise coming your way, and who doesn't like a giveaway. Now, go tell your friends.

IT'S HERE

My doorbell just rang. It never rings. I knew in an instant what it was.

As I walked from the kitchen to the front room I saw the FedEx truck in my driveway.

That poor innocent FedEx girl. She didn't know what she was getting into.

I opened the door with a squeal, and said "OMG that's my LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER book from Snapfish"

She couldn't hand it to me fast enough.

It's HERE! The book is here. My heart is full!

And, the book is beautiful. It's the perfect combination of all of us. It's like having a piece of every single person that was a part of the Listen To Your Mother shows.

I will NEVER be able to explain what I got from LTYM. Sometimes words aren't enough. Sometimes feelings can't be labeled. Sometimes gifts and blessings can't be counted.

Listen To Your Mother gave me, at the very least, my voice back. This book will be a daily reminder.

I came, I saw, I wrote, I spoke. We cried.

Thank you will never be enough, but, THANK YOU Ann Imig, Lela Davidson, Stephanie Funk McCratic, and Snapfish!

Homesick At Home. What It's Like To Be New In Town 4 Years Later

I'm beginning to wonder if this state will ever feel like home.

The beauty of the Natural State does a good job of filling the void for awhile but, at some point it should start to feel like you're home; right?

I feel like I've moved in but, maybe a piece of me is still across the state line waiting.

I find myself wishing I had the relationships I had there, over here. I miss my friends. I miss having girlfriends. I miss the bond and the inside jokes that date all the way back to grade school.

I miss knowing if I call, the phone will be answered or the missed call returned. I miss conversations via text with so many LOLs it starts to look like nonsense . I miss riding around in the car singing at the top of my lungs. I miss laughing so much my stomach and my face hurt.

Don't get me wrong, I have met some wonderful people here. D introduced me to his circle of friends and they were very welcoming and kind. This is their home already though. They have their friends, their girlfriends, their inside jokes, and their bonds established.

When I was home, I had a place in my community. I knew where I stood with people. I had professional relationships, and I had paid my dues.

Here it seems like I just can't get through the door. I try. I honestly try more than anyone would ever know. Will it ever be enough, or what "they" want? Who knows.

I volunteer. I love it. I jump at any given opportunity to do it. I could say I do it only for the good of doing it but, that wouldn't be completely honest. Although I do, do it just for that, I'd be lying if I didn't say I thought community service would open some doors for relationships, personal and professional.

I'm four years into the move. My kids are happy and healthy, and building relationships of their own. I'm happy for them.

Moving back isn't really an option because they deserve the time to establish the very bonds I am missing.

It's a bit embarrassing to admit I'm lonely.

I have a great guy who loves me so unconditionally, beautiful children that make me beem with pride, but I don't have the huge piece of me that comes from being home.

How do I make this home?

What else do I need to do?

How do you become part of a group or even make new friends?

As an adult it seems so stupid to cry at night because you're homesick.

It's not sleep-away-camp, it's life. It's the life I willingly chose, and a life I love with my family. But, it's still hard. It's still lonely. It's still scary.

Everyone deserves to feel like a part of something outside of their family. So here I am world, ready and waiting to feel like I'm home again.