After The Rayne - Handmade Soaps & Bath Products

We're Back!!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +0000

After a long hiatus, After The Rayne Handmade Soaps is back!! Look for our revamped website coming soon. We are back in the kitchen making all of your favorite essential oil soaps and looking to create some new ones too!!

Stay tuned for more!

We have moved!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Please continue to follow our blog, here! After The Rayne Blog .

Leapin' Leprechauns! It's MARCH!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:42:00 +0000

It's March! Time to start sowing seeds in the garden and get ready for warmer weather. The birds are out singing, the squirrels out scampering and the dreary Winter blues get tossed aside.

We're also elated in the fact that our son who has been in Afghanistan the past 7 months with the Air Force is now back stateside safe and sound as well as his entire unit! We are so proud of all of them and what they do for us.

With Spring nearly here, it's time to try new things. I know I have started a new workout regimen with my Wii Fit Plus. Winter was too long and it caught up! It's funny how your body starts changing as we get older. When we're young and carefree, nothing seems to matter and then all of a sudden; BAM, we don't look like we did back then. But what comes with age is knowledge and it is what's inside you that counts.

Ahhh, it's March. A time for Leprechauns dancing, being wary of the Ides of March, and looking forward to an enjoyable vegetable garden.

Can't wait!

Love is in the air! New from After The Rayne!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Oh, the month of February. Spring weather, new blossoms and the atmosphere of love! The heat of the summer has not yet arrived and it is still cool enough to have a fire in the fireplace so that you and your loved one can cuddle.

This Valentine's Day you can show our true love how much you care without spending an arm and a leg!

For all the kisses you could ever want, we've added some great Kissing in the Rayne Lip Balms that both of you are sure to enjoy!

Try our Exquisite Lip Kiss which is flavored with Cocoa Absolute and Lavender Essential Oil. Oh, it's just like a dark chocolate bar with hints of Lavender!

Or, instead of giving roses, kiss her with roses with our Kissing in the Rayne Rose Lip Kiss! Our Rose Otto is beyond describable on the lips!

We also have two new soaps that will be available before Valentine's Day! They are calorie free too!

Try our Rayne's Chocolate Delight made with a decadent Chocolate fragrance oil blended with Red Currant! It's so delicious you'll be tempted to take a bite!

Also premiering is another Chocolate treat! Chocolate Rayne is made with the same decadent Chocolate fragrance oil and blended with our equally delightful Orange Essential Oil. Mmmmm smells like one of those Chocolate Orange balls!

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you will be one of the first to know when they are on sale and of course, our specials are only posted on our Newsletter!

A Road Well Traveled

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

After the Rayne is celebrating 11 years of making handmade soaps and bath products. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was just piddling around my kitchen creating my soaps for myself because I couldn't use commercial soaps.

Throughout these eleven years, I've learned and grown so much about myself, my industry and the people around me. It has been a long road, but full of adventure and mystery. Of creating new blends and recipes and always finding joy and bliss in sharing that new scent with those around me!

I know it doesn't stop here. I am always learning and absorbing information like a sponge so I can continue to grow. I look forward to having all of you on this journey with me.

I thank my loyal customers who have been with me since the beginning and all of those who have joined along the way. You are what keep me going and I will continue to provide you with the quality and exception that you expect from me.

Here's to many more years and more fun and adventure!

Black Friday Sale at After The Rayne

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:48:00 +0000

Hooray! Hooray!
What more can I say?
It's finally here.
It's Black Friday!

It's our biggest sale!
I'll make it simple and sweet.
I think you'll like
our delightful treat.

Take off 20%
everything on our site
when you spend $20
the price is just right!

Just enter "BLACK FRIDAY"
in our comments box.
The discount will be taken.
No, we don't sell socks.

But hurry, hurry
before we shut off the light.
This sale will only last
until midnight tonight!

Thank you again
one and all.
For making this week
such a wonderful ball!

Nikie Brown
After The Rayne

Happy Thanksgiving Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful day
with family and friends
gathered near and far away.

So while you're eating
your Thanksgiving feast.
We, at After The Rayne
should have a sale at least.

This one is special.
My memory is jogged.
A group we forget,
this one's for the dogs!

It's our Tub O' Chili
dog shampoo.
At 15% off
who's one to argue?

Just type "THURSDAY".
Well, you know the drill
and 15 percent
will come off your bill.

What a treat
that you can shop online!
We hope your Thanksgiving
is wonderful and fine!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from all of us at AFTER THE RAYNE!

Sales, Sales and more Sales at After The Rayne!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:35:00 +0000

Today's the day.
It's number three!
What's the sale?
They shouted with glee!

It's something special.
It's something that rocks.
How about a three pack of soap
and of our Soap Sox?

This special is good
throughout the day
with 15% off
what more can you say?

After The Rayne
is the best place to be.
The products are great
and so much to see.

Type "WEDNESDAY" in the comment box.
No need to do it twice.
That way you'll be sure to get
today's special price.

Let us know what soaps you want.
They'll soon be on their way.
And you've just had your special treat
before Thanksgiving Day!

Day 2 of our Almost Black Friday Sales

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:20:00 +0000

On to Day 2 of our sale
this week.
What can it be?
Well, let's take a peek!

So many things in
our After The Rayne store.
Oh, what to choose
from our products galore.

Here is one to make
your hair shine.
Our Rayneshower's Conditioner.
It feels so divine!

From now until
midnite tonight.
Take 15 percent off
the price. It's just right!

In your shopping cart,
sly as a fox,
type "TUESDAY" in
the comments/special request box.

Thank you for
shopping with After The Rayne.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We'll see you again!

Black Friday Sales!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Twas five days before Black Friday
and all through my shop
Nikie was a'thinking
what prices could she chop?

She already had great discounts
in Wickedly Chic.
What else could she do?
Let's give her customers a peek!

For today only til the
clock strikes twelve,
All of our lotions
would be on sale!

On Kilo, on Rayne Clouds,
on Rayne Dance and more.
Just enter "Monday" in the
comment box in our store.

You will receive 15% off
of your sale
on the 8oz size lotion!
HOORAY! We yell.

And as we count down
the days one by one.
What sale will be next?
Oh! This could be fun!

The Holidays Are Here!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:44:00 +0000

And with that, we are offering some great specials! The newest being that we are in the Wickedly Chic Holiday Gift Guide! Not only can you find our products in there, but if you are looking for unique gift ideas that are handmade, you will find them as well!

If you are looking for more specials, be sure and sign up for our Newsletter! Each month we send out exclusive specials to our Newsletter Members.

Enjoy the Gift Guide and our Specials. Why go to the crowded malls when you can shop for that perfect gift online and at After The Rayne!

Today is My Birthday!! Happy Birthday to Me!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:33:00 +0000

I LOVE birthdays! Well, my birthday! I tell everyone it's my birthday on my day! You figure, it's the one day of the year that is YOUR day! Usually, I embarrass my family by wearing a tiara. They just walk way ahead of me or pretend they don't see me. It's not that I'm trying to embarrass them, but your birthday is a great day to give a shout out and thank your parents for bringing you into this world!

It's also not a day about seeing how many gifts you'll get or what free things you'll receive.

For me, it's just a day to say, I'm Here!

Because of that, I want to give my customers some gifts!! So, if you go to my site at www.aftertherayne.com and place an order, I will add a free gift to your box!

For every order placed today before midnite tonight, you will receive one of our Kissing in the Rayne Lip Balms (my choice of flavors) and a groovy Mesh Nylon Soap Sox (my choice of color). This is my birthday gift to you on this wonderful date of October 9th! Happy Birthday!!

Happy Independence Day!!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Happy Independence Day everyone! It's a wonderful day to enjoy our family, go swimming, eat barbeque or have a picnic and watch fireworks in the evening. It's also a great day to remember the 56 brave men who stood up in direct defiance of the British Government and signed the Declaration of Independence.

This goes to show that it doesn't take many to make a difference!

Have a safe and Happy July 4th everyone!

Sing, Sing A Song - Make it Simple

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:35:00 +0000

Well, it seems my contest wasn't a simple one, but it did get a lot of you thinking! I did get a winner and it was Brittany Shepherd!! Boy, she was a trooper too!! Her first guess was actually the title of the song, but she came back and did give me the name of the group. She picked up a free bar of Meloncholy Rayne and it went out in the mail today!

Oh, what...you want to know what it is? You sure? Weeeeell, okay. I'll give you one better. I present to you from my very own 1968 album

Greetings, Children of Paradise,

the one, the only:

BEAR

Enjoy!

This contest was a lot of fun!! I'll have to go dig in some more of my old albums and see what other contests I can come up with!

Greetings, Greetings, Greetings.....

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:09:00 +0000

Wouldn't you like to go away? Greetings, greetings, greetings. Come and see me don't delay!

The above, including the title are the lyrics to a song I have been singing all morning and playing on my phone.

Because of this, I have decided to have a little contest!!!! Tadah!!!

The first person who can tell me the artist or group of said above lyrics, will get a free bar of one of my delicious and delectable soaps!!! But, put on your thinking caps because it isn't as easy as you think!!!

Have fun!!!!

Front Page On Etsy

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:51:00 +0000

Well, I was very excited to find out that my Organic Rose~A~Liscious Soap made the Front Page of Etsy today! Although I was out and about, my fellow SAFEteam members let me know!

Our soaps on Etsy can be found at www.zozca.etsy.com

Just another soapy day at a conference!!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:13:00 +0000

For the past week I’ve been in Palm Springs, CA attending the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference. Who knew that there could be a conference for those that made soap? Yes, Virginia, there is a soapmakers conference! A good time was had by all as we learned how to set up our shops and how not to kill our profit margins. We also gained confidence with coloring. We understood more about preservatives and cold process and in between we were wrapped with veggie oils, massaged beyond belief and given incredible facials at the spa. Oh! Who could forget about the entertainment? Dennis and Kayla Favorianti of Essential Wholesale gave us an incredible evening of comedy delight with Jon Reep and Wendy Liebman in attendance while jugglers and stiltwalkers and masked characters walked around the party! I can’t put into words how amazing this conference was as the vendors filled our goodie bags with decadent body treats and samples for us to bring home. There were so many things that we received and won that I had to go and purchase another suitcase just to bring all my extra treats with me! To top it all off it was fantastic to meet my fellow soapmakers! I had seen their names on the computer over the years but was now able to fit faces and personalities together. The camaraderie was so enjoyable! Out of all the conferences I have attended, I do have to say that this was one of the most well run and put together events ever! The volunteers and people needed to put this on were amazing on a spectacular level. Everything ran on time. If there were glitches, they were never seen or heard. It was a well run piece of machinery. I was sad when it was all over, but excited to know that I will be attending again in Denver, CO next year!

Linked In, Tuned In, Turned Up

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:17:00 +0000

So, one time at band camp......Isn't that how it all starts? On the internet world, it's different. First, you get a website and all is well. You hand out business cards, you talk to people, but then that's not good enough any more. Something out there called blogging steps in. Blog....where you type your innermost thoughts. Well, something of the sort. Everything is fine and dandy, you have a new promotional tool. But wait, there's more. Blogging is so hard. You have to come up with many things to say. What can you say on a daily basis to promote your items without turning your customers away? Is that a bird? A cheep? A chirp? NO, a Tweet!! Now, we have Twitter. Quick little messages to let everyone know what's going on quickly, succinctly.

Oy vey! This ole dog is trying to learn all the new tricks, so I'm blogging and tweeting and now there's Linked In and Merchant Circle and everywhere you turn there's a new place to Stumble Upon! And just when you think you have it all down pat Facebook is here with a whole new world experience!!! I will now do my best imitation of a Charlie Brown scream! Don't get me wrong, I like all the newfangled things going on, but my brain does not travel at warp speed anymore. So, now you can Twitter me, Link me, Stumble Upon me and even check out my Face because at the end of the tunnel, I know I have my quiet safe haven of my workshop to create my soothing and delectable soaps to help me out at the end of my day! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh..

Stop and Smell the Blends!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:16:00 +0000

I love creating the blends that go into my products. It's exhilarating and invigorating! Each new blend is like giving birth, but without the pain! The labor can be, at times, just as intense!

Over the many years of making my delicious, delightful items, I have read an ungodly amount of books on essential oils and aromatherapy. They have given me a basis of each of my creations. I get an idea in my head of what I would like to blend, whether its an essential oil or combining fragrance oils or a mixture of both.

I go into my workshop, turn on my music and let the magic happen! Over the playings of Starship Trooper from Yes, or Mystic Rhythms from Rush or even Lobotomy from The Ramones, the creative juices flow. What would seem like work for some is absolute pleasure for me!

I pick out the oils that I want to work with, grab a ton of pipettes and dram bottles, my notebook, pencil and Jewelle scale and the adventure begins.

As I start with my main oil, I write down the amount and work off that base. Once I've completed that version, I work on several others and mark each bottle with the batch I've created while writing each recipe down in my notebook. Some of my blends will have up to 8 or 9 of each version!

Now, for the intense labor!! The waiting. I let the bottles sit for awhile so that the oils can meld with each other and really intensify into the scent that they will be. After a week, I go back and do a sniff test and get friends and family to test them as well! I mark which ones were received favorably and then......wait again. I do this two or three times to make sure that the blend I create is the one that will be my next soap or bath product.

Does it sound time consuming? A little, but it's also so exciting and when it's the perfect blend? Oh, the delectable items I can create with it!! It's soooo worth the wait!!!

A Whole Lot of Creativity Going On!

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:05:00 +0000

It never ends at After The Rayne! I love to create and blend and boy have I been busy! What started out as a simple lotion request turned into two Organic soaps! They are Rayne's Delight, a delicious essential oil blend of Organic Pink Grapefruit, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Litsea Cubeba and one of my all time favorite essential oils, Yuzu! This is just such a light and refreshing scent, that you won't think about grapefruit for breakfast anymore! Another one of my newest organic soaps that is now fast becoming my favorite is called O range U Rayne? Oh my goodness, it is sooo great! It is a fantastic blend of Wild Orange Essential Oil, Wildcrafted Patchouli, Organic Green Mandarin and Organic Spearmint to give it a little kick! Man, when you're in the shower with this, you just don't want to get out!

Now, for all of you that enjoy fragrance oils, I haven't forgotten you! I've been blending away to create this little jewel! This is one that when I brought out my little tester vial, everyone wanted to keep sniffing and sniffing! I blending my Mysore Sandalwood fragrance oil with my French Oak Vanilla and came up with a decadent, olfactory pleasing sensational blend that is just dreamy! It's very sulty and sexy and will make someone just want to cuddle and keep wondering what that fantastic scent is that your wearing! Our vanilla is not syrupy sweet like some of these you smell at those shops in the mall. It is deep and rich, the way true vanilla beans smell and mixed with our Sandalwood. To die for! That's why we've called this one Vanilla Rayne. You'll be wishing this could rain down around you in this scent!

On the horizon, we haven't forgotten our better halves. I've been working on a blend that in testing has shown to be very good! It's an outdoorsy essential oil blend of Cypress, Basil, Clary Sage added to it a little Coffee and Black Pepper! We're bringing camping indoors with this fresh scent. Look for it soon on our website. Right now it does not have a name. If someone out here can name this soap and we use it, they will get a free bar of it when we make it. It must have Rayne in the title. Post the name here and your email address. Keep looking on our website for it's premier and see if one of these names is it!

It's Almost the End?

noreply@blogger.com (AfterTheRayne) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:24:00 +0000

Wow! Another year gone! 10 years ago in 1998, I was poring over the internet trying to figure out how to make soap because my skin itched like crazy. Nothing I used helped. My doctor told me to try Dove or Ivory. Those soaps made my itching worse! I hit upon a wonderful site that told me all I needed was lye and some simple oils and gave me a recipe to try.

I tried that recipe and well, it killed a few plants because it just didn't work. So, I tried it again. And again, and again. After tweaking it a bit and finding a lye calculator and trying a different oil in the mix, I made my first loaf of soap. I watched that loaf like a baby. I kept peeking at it. When I cut off that first bar and set it out to cure, I don't know if it was my skin itching or just impatience itching to try it out!! My reaction at using it for the first time was awe, amazement and finally comfort. I made something that was soothing to my skin. It was so soft, the suds were fantastic and the scent was heavenly. It didn't smell like it came from the store. It was pure delight!

I was hooked! I couldn't wait to make more and more and more and more......well, you get the picture! My whole house filled up with bars of soap! It was on the counters, the shelves, in the bathroom! It was everywhere!!! In the year 2000, my dear husband, who encouraged me greatly, finally said, "Honey, we could die and generations upon generations of our family will have soap! Please, get out and sell this!"

And that, my friends is how After The Rayne came to be! From setting up shop at the local flea market, we have now flourished onto the internet and our soaps have gone worldwide!

So, as the year 2008 is quickly coming to a close, I want to thank all of you who have helped to make our journey where it is today!

I look forward to continuing and growing and constantly maintaining what started me out on this wonderful trip of the unexpected! What a long, strange trip it's been, but oh, what joy it has brought me in the meeting of such wonderful people in all of you!

I will strive to create more delectable delights for your skin and body in 2009!

A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year from all of us at After The Rayne!

I've Got...............Steam Heat!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shadowfax) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:55:00 +0000

Wow! If you've been down here in Texas lately or practically anywhere, it's been a mighty hot summer! You know it's hot when the pool water is warm or when you walk outside at 10pm at night and it's still a sweltering 100 degrees!

Yup, it's HOT! Like most everyone, you're probably trying to stay as cool as possible by wearing as little as possible. Tank tops, shorts, flip flops or just walking around the house in your bathing suit all day with the air conditioner running full blast! We know Fall and Winter are just around the corner, but not coming quickly enough!

One way we've been trying to keep a little cooler here is by using our Splashing in the Rayne Mint Foot Cream! It sinks in so fast that there's no time for a greasy feeling on your feet! Plus, with the ingredients containing Menthol Crystals, Peppermint and Spearmint essential oils, it keeps your feet cool and tingly! We've also infused our foot cream with Pau d' Arco which is known to be antifungal and antibacterial. An added bonus is that once you've used it you may start noticing a difference in your feet in that the white lines are disappearing and that your feet are feeling softer than before!

Once that happens, you may want to dress up your feet a bit by visiting my good friends over at Barefoot Bling!
They have the most amazing creations to show off your toes and ankles! Give them a visit and let them know that After the Rayne sent you by!

During this week, if you mention my blog and purchase a Splashing in the Rayne Mint Foot Cream, you will receive 10% off the price!

Yes, it may be hot outside, but we'll keep your feet cool and looking amazing!

Go Texan - In Any Language!

noreply@blogger.com (Shadowfax) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:34:00 +0000

By George Ayres
Texas Department of Agriculture
June, 2008

"OMG! LTC! GR8! G2G and txt my bffs!"

Huh?! No, you haven't stumbled on some cryptic centuries-old language. While it's unrecognizeable to some, the above mix of letters, numbers and exclamation points is actually a form of the English language. So before you turn to someone your junior and blow your cover by sounding behind the times, allow us at the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to help with the translation.

"Oh my gosh! Like that's cute! This is great! I've got to go tell my best friends!"

It's likely this message would be viewed or found on a cellphone or computer and highly likely it would be written and then read by a "tween." Tweens are defined as children between the ages of 8 and 12, and, at least in the gift industry, those tweens are usually girls. The word is a take on "between" because the mentality of the girls at the tween age has moved beyond children's toys, but they are not yet teenagers. They are neither children nor teens - they are between toys and boys.

Tweens are associated with many things, as deciphered in the above text-message; the color pink, a love of social circles and all that entails and most important to you, a love of shopping for all the prettier, girlier things in a tween's life.

Keeping in step with the generational lexicon, TDA is adding two new entries to the mix:

GTT! GT4eva!

Translation: GO TEXAN today! GO TEXAN forever!

As another school year ends, so arrive the retail winds of summer. Yes, it's here. You can't run and hide. With the change of seasons and with all that free time on their hands, your tweens are fired up to shop. And the bounty of GO TEXAN products are the perfect choice. Tweens love that personal touch and plenty of GO TEXAN products are happy to please. Below are a few samples to whet the shopping appetite of you and your tween:

When it comes to the glittery world of bracelets, necklaces and earrings, check out C Lynne Designs at www.clynnedesigns.com/ or call (830) 237-6505.

Or take it one step further with some bling for your tween's favorite animal friend at www.horsebling.net/ or (512) 293-4297.

Trying to persuade your tween to write with pen as well as a keyboard? Then you'll definitely find your fair share of designer stationery and an assortment of note card styles at www.kellykaycreative.com/ or call (817) 570-7938.

Other fun and tween-friendly GO TEXAN favorites include:

After the Rayne (handmade soaps and bath products)
www.aftertherayne.com/kids.htm

BootTopPurses.com
www.boottoppurses.com/

karen's kreations
www.karensglabels.com/

Mary of Puddin Hill
www.puddinhill.com/

Sparkle Designs
www.sparkledesignsonline.com/

Teresa's Treasures
www.treasuresbyteresa.com/

That should get you started, but before you go, let's have a short quiz to see what we've learned. Ready?

GTT! GT4eva! OMG! TTYL!

Translation: GO TEXAN today! GO TEXAN forever! Oh my gosh! Talk to you later!

Want to know more about gifts made in Texas? For sure! Contact Mary York with GO TEXAN at (512) 463-8289 or e-mail mary.york@tda.state.tx.us, or visit www.gotexan.org/.

Stop the FDA Globalization Act of 2008!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shadowfax) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:43:00 +0000

Watch this video and then read the Petition below. Sign the Petition opposing the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 by leaving your name and comment at the Indie Business Blog site.! The petition is for everyone: consumers and the small businesses who make the products they love!

This video summarizes the Indie Beauty Network's position against the Discussion Draft of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008, the legislation that would put thousands of Indies out of business by forcing them to pay outrageous registration fees and comply with burdensome paperwork.

If passed, this law would drive consumers back to the days when they could only choose between a few huge, faceless, nameless big box stores and brands for their cosmetics and personal care products. And fewer consumer choices always leads to higher prices.

Tell Congress you want none of it by signing this Petition.

Thank you.

Happy 4th of July!

noreply@blogger.com (Shadowfax) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:43:00 +0000

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

These are among the first words signed 232 years ago for our Declaration of Independence. It shows what a great nation we are and how very proud I am to be an American and a mom to 3 sons serving in the military.

This year especially is such a great year in our country as we also get to use our freedoms with the right to vote on who we want to be for our next President of the United States. Regardless of your political designation, everyone who is able should use the rights our forefathers and others gave us and go out and vote.

We do live in a wonderful country despite how it seems now. America has gone through it's ups and downs before and has always come out on top. I have faith that we will do so again.

On this wonderful July 4th weekend, I have a special gift to help out a little bit. If you wish to post a comment on my blog, I will send you a soap sack with a guest sized soap tucked inside.

This offer expires on July 6th. I will email you to get your address. Only one gift per household address.

After The Rayne