glimpses of the good life

They Put The BEST in BESTIE...

2011-11-09T08:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, admit it. You have one or maybe two. Or maybe you have a whole gang of them... I'm talking about your best friend. Your bestie, your 'girl', your BFF, if you will. They are that one special someone (or group of someones, as the case may be), that single most important person who helps keep you being the best you that you can be. Now say that three times quickly! Ha!! Just kidding. Where was I?? Oh, right!! Your bestie...

We all have people in our lives that come and go. And things change, no matter how hard we fight to keep them the same. That's just life. Jobs change. Places we live change. And sometimes circles of friends change too. But there is one thing that remains unchanged and absolutely fabulous... our best friends!

We can always count on them to tell it like it is. Like when our jeans are too tight, our hair is too big, or (GASP) "No, dear. People don't really wear banana clips anymore." They keep us in line & they keep us laughing. Without them, where would we be?? We'd be walking around the mall with our muffin-tops hanging out, while being chased down by the lady at the flat iron kiosk trying to tame the lion's mane (once she can get that dang banana clip out of your hair). Someone remind me to get my besties some REALLY great Christmas gifts this year. They have totally earned it!!

And I am lucky enough to have some of the MOST wonderful friends a girl could ever ask for. They have seen me through some really difficult times, like when I lost my mom just one year after the birth of my son. And they have been there to cheer me on during some great moments of achievement too, like when I got accepted to Duke!! I mean, really, who better to pop the bubbly with than your BFFs?? Who?? Tell me!!

Yup, I'm a lucky lady. I'm one of those that has a "gang of girls"... I can never choose just ONE! Not when it comes to best friends and certainly not when one of them is nice enough to share their Godiva chocolates. I mean, c'mon people, who can eat just one Godiva chocolate? Now you know where the muffin-top came from...

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Give a Hoot...

2011-11-09T08:22:00.000-05:00

I figure if you're gonna join in one hop on Hump Day, why not join two...

So, I'm joining in on the Give a Hoot hop also. What?? You're looking for more hops to join too?? Well, then come on and join in!!

Hosted by: Life According to Damaris with co-hosts: Miss Deb, Monster Mom, and Tots and Me.

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Welcome Wednesday...

2011-11-09T07:09:00.000-05:00

Time to get hoppin' on this Welcome Wednesday...

With co-hosts MOM'S FAT PURSE and TEACHING TODDLERS TOGETHER (be sure to swing by their blogs and show them some love).

So, what are you waiting for?? Let's get HOPPIN"!!!

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Birds of a Feather, Hop Together...

2011-11-08T09:42:00.000-05:00

I'm ready to get hop, hop, hoppin'!! And what better way, than to join in on the "Flock Together Tuesday Blog Hop!" So, if you are looking for some new blogs to check out or would like to find a few new readers for your blog, just click that button & join in!! (Brought to you by Mom's Best Nest with guest host Of Mice And Ramen ~ please be sure to show your love!!)

© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Sending Birthday Wishes to Heaven...

2011-11-07T16:52:00.001-05:00

November 7th, 1940 : "Strong winds gusting to 35 MPH break the the Narrows suspension Bridge to pieces in Tacoma, Washington causing the bridge to fall to the bottom of Puget Sound." ~ThePeopleHistory.com

Another event, not quite broadcast news-worthy, occurred that fateful day in history... Dina Lou Williams, my mother, was born.

Had my mom lived to see her birthday this year, she would have turned 71 years old. It's been almost twelve years since she passed away, and still I miss her terribly. So, I try to find ways to remember her that bring me joy, to help lessen the pain, just a little.

One way that I remember my mom is by wearing a ring of her's, that I inherited after she died. I cherish that ring and think fondly of my mom whenever I look at it. Another way that I like to remember my mom is by planting flowers, in her memory, in my flower garden. My mom LOVED flowers!! This was something that my parents shared and something that I have grown to love. So, this year Mom, I am going to plant some pansies just for you. Pansies were one of her favorites and one of mine too, so it seems appropriate.

I know that my mom will be looking down from Heaven today, admiring the beautiful rainbow of colors that I have planted in honor of her birthday. Beauty that cannot begin to compare to the beauty of my mother. She worked hard, raised three strong, beautiful, intelligent daughters; and always found time to press her clothes, curl her hair and put on her MAUVE lipstick. Add a spritz of Wind Song and a stick of Juicy Fruit and you will have one of THE best smells. The scent of the Best Mom EVER!!

So, please join me in sending birthday wishes to Heaven for my mom, Dina Lou Williams Blackburn. She was gone too soon from this Earth, but I know she is in a place now where the flowers are always blooming and there is always time for lipstick.

Happy Birthday, Mom!! I love you and I miss you!!

© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

It’s a Social Parade-Follow on Fridays

2011-11-05T15:45:00.002-04:00

It’s a Social Parade-Follow on Fridays...

The weekend has me fidgety and hopping around again. So, I decided to join this Blog Hop:

JOIN ME!!

___________________________________________

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I Wear a Ring: Remembering My Mom

2011-11-05T12:09:00.001-04:00

My mom’s birthday is coming up on November 7th. She would have been 71 years old this year.

It’s been eleven years since she passed away, and I still miss her every day...

There are certain things that will forever remind me of my wonderful mother. Things like the blended smells of Wind Song perfume, Juicy Fruit gum, and coffee, swirling together to make the sweetest of perfume; the perfume of a mother’s love.

There are other things that bring my mom to mind, but I think my most favorite, my most precious piece of remembrance of my beautiful mother, is the ring of her's, that I wear every day. It isn't anything fancy, just beautifully crafted. The diamond is modest in size, but stunning in sparkle.

I doubt that it is worth very much monetarily, but to me it is priceless. It is a piece that my mother wore for as long as I can remember; it never left her hand. And after she passed away, my sister's were kind & thoughtful enough to allow me to keep it. And it is so very precious to me; this ring that I wear.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I love you and miss you more than words can express...

_______________________________________________

When Frost Melts...

2011-11-01T13:31:00.000-04:00

This is cross-posted from M B C : Behind the Lens

© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Raindrops On Purple Mums...

2011-10-30T10:51:00.001-04:00

Cross-posted from M B C : Behind the Lens

It's All About The Bean...

2011-10-28T01:06:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you, but my day just doesn't get the kick in the pants it needs (especially when I have to get up in the dark 6 days a week) until I have my Live Today With Passion, over-sized mug, in hand and filled to its' polka-dotted brim. Oh, yeah! I'm talking about that perfectly roasted, freshly ground, lovely little bean. Coffee. Java. Joe. Brew. Liquid Life.

No matter what you call it, coffee is the jet fuel of homo sapiens. It get's us moving, keeps us moving, and, let's be honest, brings a little moment of joy to our day when that wonderful, energizing nectar passes our lips. Death to decaf!! Well, maybe not death. I know at least one of my friends who gets her java jollies strictly unleaded. But not me. I'll have the high-octane, with a double shot of caramel. Please and thank you.

Now, the thing about coffee, is that the multitude of choices in roasts and flavors can be a bit overwhelming, especially to the wanna-be coffee connoisseur. Whether you want the light roast of a 'breakfast blend' or the deep, dark, robust flavor of a 'French roast', there are about a ba-jillion companies that sell each of those, plus many, many more. Seriously, coffee is a crazzzy-popular fad, and companies are raking in the loot over our addiction to the all-mighty bean. All hail, coffee!

I have my group of favorite beans that I tend to stick with... they range from medium roasts to the darkest-of-the-dark roasts. I'll give just about any brand a try (within reason, I mean, I'm not going to bust the budget just for a cup of joe), and have tried beans from all around the globe. Hawaiian and Jamaican beans tend to be at the top of my list. Unfortunately, they also tend to be some of the more pricey beans, but soooo worth it when you wanna splurge on something absolutely dee-lish! My 'go-to' coffee bean (I only buy beans, not the pre-ground garbage that is heartburn waiting to happen), is a mid-range French roast or dark roast. Any of the Level 5 coffees from Seattle's Best Coffee, for example. Yum-o! Or a bag of Starbucks Pike's Place, also a fabulous choice.

It amazes me how something, as simple as a cup of coffee, can change your whole day? Does it get any better than when you have an impromptu coffee date with one of your best girlfriends? We dish over coffee. Dessert over coffee. And even date over coffee. The days of, "I'll have a coffee, 1 cream, 2 sugars," have become, "I'll have a Venti, skinny, half-cafe, caramel latte with extra foam." But you know what?? It's still all about one thing. The bean.

So, tell me what's in your mug???

It's 'Give A Hoot' Wednesday...

2011-10-26T07:25:00.004-04:00

Time for a mid-week blog hop to get things moving...

Be sure to follow the host: Life According to Damaris and the co-hosts: Handprints On The Wall, Miss Deb, Monster Mom and Tots and Me.

Now let's get hoppin'...

You'll Sleep With the Lights On: My Top 10 Favorite Scary Movies

2011-10-25T12:39:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year again. Leaves crunching under foot, pumpkins standing guard on front porch stoops, children laughing and playingand blood curdling screams emanating from the surround sound. Yes, it's October and that means it's time for taking your love of fear to the limit with some great scary movies.

Let me start by saying, I love scary movies. The scarier, the better. And just so we're clear, I am not talking gore. Gore can be a part of a good, scary movie, but it is not a necessity. Gore is only a necessity if you are watching a 'Slasher' film, think The Texas Chainsaw Massacre; definitely scary, but more gore than goosebumps.

When I think of scary movies, I think of movies that make my heart race. Movies that make me jump out of my seat. You know the ones... the ones that make you sleep with the lights on. For a week. So, here's a list of the movies that give me the heebie jeebies (from least fav to most fav):

10. The Blair Witch Project (1999) Ok, so this isn't the best movie. I could mention who stars in it, but you would have no idea who I'm talking about. The cinematography (if you want to call it that) is jumpy, at best and the acting is so-so, but the story line is pretty good and a couple of creepy scenes keep it on my list, for now. It's a love/like it or HATE it movie... I 'sorta like it', so I keep it on the back burner, at #10.

9. The Amityville Horror ( 1979) "Get ouuuuut!" I'm not typically a fan of re-makes, with a few **exceptions. This is a great movie. The basis coming from some true events and some pretty good special effects (given the year of filming) make this a good suspenseful scare with a few flashes of gore to set off the story. If you haven't seen it, see it. But please, see the original. The re-makes are crap, in my opinion.

8. Psycho (1960) "Norman. NORMAN!" C'mon, now... who doesn't think Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh were just fantastic in this spine-tingling, psychotic story of a seriously dysfunctional family. It's Hitchcock at his best. This movie will keep you peeking around the shower curtain, just to be sure...

7. The Shining (1980) "Here's Johnny!" Based off of Stephen King's best-seller, if you are looking for a frighteningly-good ghost story meets possession, then this is the one for you! I mean, it's Stephen King. THE man of scary. I know I won't be taking any caretaker positions in the Colorado Rockies during the off-season. Nope, not this chick and I love to be scared. From a distance.

6. Halloween (1978) The newest version of Halloween (2007) may be added to that list of **exceptions I mentioned in #9. I'll let you know after I watch the Rob Zombie re-make... I do like Rob's twist on things. Anyway, back to the original... Michael Myers played by Donald Pleasence, was one freaky, scary dude. How can he walk so slowly, yet he always catches up to his victim. And the music, so very creepy. If I hear the first few bars of the opening theme song to Halloween, I get chills. Instantly. And then I immediately turn on every light in the house. And I LOVE IT!! That's the whole point, right??

5. The Strangers (2008) Have you seen this one?? It stars Liv Tyler (Yes, Steven Tyler's kid) and Scott Speedman and they are both pretty good in it, in my opinion. This is another creep-you-out story that is based some-what on fact. I rank this one above Halloween because the "creep factor" goes waaaay up when something could actually happen. Did you hear that noise upstairs?? Yeah, me neither.

4. The Exorcist (1973) Little Linda Blair was so cute in her starring role, that is until she started messing with the occult. Split-pea soup anyone? Or perhaps a trip to Georgetown and a lovely stroll to visit "The Steps". A terrific tale (also said to be based on actually events) of possession and pure good vs. evil. A major controversial film, when it was released, and still an all-time great at scaring the living daylights out of you and me, for that matter. "Why you do that to me, Demi? Why?" Tell me that doesn't make your skin crawl...

3. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) When I first saw this movie, I thought it was going to be just another knock-off of The Exorcist, but boy-oh-boy was I wrong! This movie has a great story line that will keep you jumping at the smallest of sounds, the slightest of motion. A you can beat you will wet your pants if your cat jumps in your lap out of nowhere. Not that it ever happened to me. Honest. The special effects are well done, the acting is good, and it being yet another movie "based on a true story", give it a Top 3 listing, for sure. I don't know about you, but the Devil is scary to me!

2. Paranormal Activity (2007) This is one of those rare instances when the 1st movie is not as good as the 2nd. It almost never happens. Usually sequels are obvious attempts at racking up more moo-lah off the success of the original film, when the 2nd is just a sloppy, thrown-together mess. Ok, stepping off the soapbox now. Sorry, where was I?? Oh yeah, Paranormal Activity. Great movie! It scared the crap out of me. And still does. A haunted house is scary. Living in a haunted house is scarier. It is ever-so-subtle, until it's not. It builds up nicely and then smacks you in the face with fear. I don't recommend watching this movie alone. However, I do recommend watching the sequel, which leads me to...

1. Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) THE SCARIEST MOVIE. PERIOD. Seriously, there are parts of this movie that just leave me absolutely terrified. And it's AWESOME! This sequel does that whole "Star Wars" thing by going backward in the story line to illustrate how the last movie came to be. I like it, because it's a lot easier to figure out what is going to happen, but not as easy to guess what happened just before that. And a great scary movie has to have lots of mystery and suspense, to keep the audience hooked. The special effects in this follow-up film are phenomenal. Look for a scene on the stairs, that's all I will say so I don't spoil anything. Freaks. Me. Out. Of course, now that Paranormal 3 is in theaters, one of the Top 10 may just have to get pushed to the "alternates" list. But we will save that list for another post.

So, tell me my friends, what are some of your most favorite scary movies?? I'm always looking for new thrills and chills!!

Pumpkin or Punkin...

2011-10-24T13:14:00.000-04:00

Now there are 'pumpkins'...

and there is 'Punkin'...

Colors of Fall...

2011-10-23T21:24:00.000-04:00

I just love all of the different colors of fall...

...yellows,

...reds,

and purples. They are all so lovely.

What are your favorite colors of fall?

I WON!!! I WON!!!

2011-10-23T10:24:00.002-04:00

I was so excited to receive an e-mail a few days ago announcing some really great news...

"You’ve been chosen as a winner... of In the King’s Arms by Sonia Taitz."

now if I can just get them to correct the spelling of my last name. Hmmm...

Sunday Blog Hop...

2011-10-23T09:17:00.001-04:00

Hey ya'll,

Time for one last HOP before the weekend slips away. So, sign up, take a look at some new blogs & find some new readers of your own.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend!!

Hop, hop, hop...

New & Improved...

2011-10-23T01:45:00.000-04:00

My blog isn't the only thing that got a make-over. Be sure to grab a new button too!!

Best. Mascara. EVER!

2011-10-21T20:51:00.002-04:00

I found it. I finally found it!!

A mascara that doesn't send my eye allergies into overload. I swear, I have the most sensitive eyes, ever. The slightest little irritant and the burning and tearing begins, and usually continues until I go home and wash off the offending make-up. Well, NO MORE!

A mascara that says what it does & ACTUALLY does what it says. I love it!

Physicians Formula

Organic wear® 100% Natural Origin Mascara

Here's what it says on the packaging:

Revolutionary 100% Natural Origin formula contains the purest ingredients and provides 5x Lash Boosting for lash length, volume & definition naturally.
100% Recyclable Eco-Brush defines each lash with ultra-soft plastic bristles.
100% Free of Harsh Chemicals, Synthetic Preservatives, Parabens, Clumping, Smudging, Flaking, Fibers & Dyes.

Physicians Formula Organic wear® 100% Natural Origin Mascara...

is awesome. No more itching, no more burning. The brush applies the mascara so smoothly without clumping and providing GREAT definition. It boosts the length & the thickness of my lashes with just one application. For a more dramatic effect, I simply apply a second coat. No flaking, no smudging.

It is the best mascara I have ever tried and I have tried plenty, over the years. This is the best, by far! Oh, and the very best thing is that in most stores (I found mine at the local Walmart.) it cost UNDER $10!! Does it get any better than that??

Still Hopping...

2011-10-21T13:29:00.000-04:00

What can I say...

I've become just a bit of a "Blog Hop-aholic". Here's another fun one to check out!

Hosted by: Life According to Damaris

Co-hosted by: Where Nothing Good Comes Easy

Weekend Blog Hop...

2011-10-21T10:19:00.001-04:00

Time for the Weekend Blog Hop. Here's to finding some interesting blogs to follow!!

Hop! Hop! Hop!

Please only family friendly blogs only!!!

The rules of the blog hop are:-

1.) Follow clairejustineoxox in number 1 spot on Google friends connect.

2.) Follow Reflexions in number 2 spot the co-host on Google friends connect.

3.) Visit and read some great blogs and follow ones you like.

If you are a new follower please leave a comment so we can follow you back....

Happy Hopping...

Case of the Missing Buttons...

2011-10-19T09:33:00.000-04:00

If you have visited my page lately & wondered where your button went... I still have it!!
I promise! I've been working on a few blog changes & moved them to their new home. I know have a "blogs I love..." page, where you will find buttons to all of my favorite blogs, as well as a "blog hops..." page, where you will find buttons to all the blog hops I like to participate in.

So, take a sec & check them out!! And if you would like to see your blog button or a blog hop that you host, on one of my pages, leave me a comment with a link to your page so I can grab the button. Feel free to grab one of my buttons (or both, if you wanna help promote my photo blog too!) for your page too.

Smooches xx

p.s. FINALLY got the "share" buttons to work with my design template... so please, share 'til your heart's content!! Really. Share a lot! Thanks!!

Tuesday is a Hoppin'

2011-10-18T08:48:00.001-04:00

Hopping over here & Hopping over there...

Please follow the host, co-host & featured blogger for this week! Happy Tuesday!!

Hop, Hop, Hop

2011-10-18T07:35:00.001-04:00

It's time for the Tuesday Get Connect Blog Hop!! Let's get hoppin'...

(Brought to you by Reflexions with co-host Africa's Blog)

Campus Life: Coffee Futures Best Friend

2011-10-18T00:57:00.002-04:00

You may or may not know, (O.k., so you probably don't. ) I am current in school. Again. I just completed my Associates in Applied Sciences Legal Office Administration in May of this year. Actually, my last final was finished and turned in by 4:35 p.m. on May 16th. What a glorious day, it was!! Anyway, I digress...

While working on my degree, I decided that I want to become a paralegal, which goes hand-in-hand with my current studies. There are a number of factors that influenced my decision. I knew it would be easier to find employment with Bar certification, but also because the law fascinates me. And, I just get it. It makes sense to me, for the most part. For now.

Duke University

So, once I decided I wanted to become a Certified Paralegal, I found the program I wanted to enroll in, wrote the check (Took an antacid.) and that's how I've ended up on Duke's campus two nights a week and most Saturdays, from now until mid-January. Pour the espresso, per favore! Presto!!

At the ripe, old age of ____ Ha! You thought I'd actually tell you? Pa-leez! As if!

Suffices to say, that I'm old enough to remember things like corded remote controls for Beta-tape players. (Think VCR, with smaller tapes, but the machine was the size of a Smart Car.) And cartoons by Hanna Barbera. (Grape Ape! Grape Ape! Sorry, he was my favorite.) Anyway, as I was saying, I'm no Spring chic and these long night classes (6-10 pm.) are taking their toll on me. Exhaustion has become a permanent resident in my house, sort of like the dark circles and bags that have taken up residence under my eyes. (*Note to self: Buy stock in under eye cream and concealer.)

I have come to the conclusion (A little late, but HEY, now I know.) that night classes are for nineteen year-olds. Seriously. Those teeny-boppers have the energy levels of Pomeranians on crack. And I do not. Which is the reason why I keep Juan Valdez employed. (And I should probably buy stock in coffee beans.)

Case in point, tonight I could not concentrate on the lecture at all. I was trying... really I was. But once I made it through the quiz and, since I have been up since a quarter to six this morning, by about 8 o'clock, the stares set in. Glassy-eyed, zombie-like stares. I tried to overcompensate by blinking. A lot. I blinked so much, my professor probably thought I was trying to flirt with him, but just didn't know that winking requires only one eye. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when he let us out at 9:30 tonight, instead of 10.

I've only got a few more months to go, so I'm just going to keep my French press handy and food club-sized bag of beautiful, bold espresso beans. And a mug, big enough to double as a wash basin. Or a Port-a-Potty, because I will probably need one after drinking all that coffee.

"HI! My name is Melissa and I'm a TOTAL coffee addict."

Feeling Beachie Follow Friday Blog Hop!

2011-10-14T08:58:00.002-04:00

It's another weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop! on Feeling Beachie with co-host The Mama Pirate.

Follow along and have some fun while finding great new blogs to read and new readers for your blog!

The "fill in the blanks" statements for this week are:

1. ___is my least favorite household chore

2. ___ is my guilty pleasure

3. In the __________, I think ___________.

4. My favorite ___________for _________ is ____________

And here are my answers:

1. The never-ending piles of dirty sweat socks and graphic t’s, make laundry my least favorite household chore, for sure!!

2. A powdered mini-doughnut, with my morning coffee, is my guilty pleasure.

3. In the car, I think about where I might end up, if I happen to take a different road today, what adventures I may be missing by staying on the same roads all the time.

4. My favorite _time of the year, forever and ever and ever is fall, because my favorite celebration is Halloween!!!

Why not have a little fun and play along?