Reinventing Myself

Wow...what a year!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 02:28:00 +0000

When I decided to call this blog "Reinventing Myself" it was for many reasons, the main one being that I had shed the corporate business suit, along with the income! But I still had that promotional "had to" in my blood. I found myself at the one and only Walmart in town-(one & only department store, save a two hour drive!) telling people what a great product this was or that was. I have been in promotion and marketing my whole life, since the age of 16 and well, it's just a part of me... So, how did I get here? Believe me, I have asked that particular question MANY times over. Hubby & I decided to move to the country after he had a major accident at work and we were told to "get comfortable" while we went through a workman's comp lawsuit (what a nightmare and whole different post!) The opportunity had come up to redecorate/reinvent houses aka "flip" them with a friend. I am also an artist so I liked the idea of doing that. It would give me something to do while the hubby recouped from surgeries he was scheduled for. The country?? Sure. A great change of pace-or so I thought. If any of you reading this has gone through a workman's comp ANYthing, you know what a nightmare it is...It seemed I had to do all the work that we were paying the lawyer to do. NOTE: Always talk to two or three lawyers before choosing one. The town we moved to has a population of 300; 302 with hubby & I. It has a teeny, tiny, antiquated library, which is on the Main St- the only street. At first, it was like Mayberry USA. People were friendly, but cautious as with a small town. The BAD thing about a small town, if people don't know your business, they assume. Hubby & I are pretty private people in that matter so speculations wild & tame flew everywhere...everything from we had a huge inheritance to well, the unimaginable. The really funny thing was when people would talk to me ABOUT me, not knowing who I was- I just nodded & smiled. Long story short, the deal fell through with the "friend", even sold the house out from under us that we were living in! That's when we met our first angel here...our landlord, let us move in, within 3 days. Granted we moved a four bedroom house into a tiny one bedroom with a sideroom- and basement. He saved us, literally. I never counted on two surgeries for myself, as well as other surprises that kept me from blogging... So, that's where we've been for the past 7 years, "hunkering down" as the lawyer told us to do. We had planned on 2 maybe three years, then go back to civilization- God had other plans! As I said, that's a whole 'nother post but I am happy, sooooooo happy to say that it's OVER! That means, in a few short months, or sooner, we will be back where we belong, among people, and shopping- man, how I miss shopping! THAT means that I have contacted many sponsors, even the ones from before and have quite a few reviews/giveaways coming up. What stopped me before? We are the middle of nowwhere, winters here are beyong brutal and everything comes to a halt, including mail & shipments. I would have hated to have someone win, and I couldn't get on the internet- which went down everytime the wind blew it seemed, or worse, have a sponsor send a product and I not get it. I turn a whopping 50 years old- yep, another post for that...in just a few weeks. I hope you all will join me for the fun again! I am pretty rusty at the blogging thing...all the bells & whistles I need to relearn, so please be patient with me. I'd love to hear from all of you again. I promise to stay with this baby, through the move and once again, "reinvent myself" when we finally get back to living! If any bloggers care to help me resurrect this blog- please contact me! it will be greatly appreciated as well as helpful to you too!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 02:36:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 19:15:00 +0000

I can't believe that summer is almost over! To me, it sure did fly by, but in talking to others, they say it dragged. I guess it's just a matter of perspective....or how busy you've been. My life took a different, unexpected turn- I went back to work. I wasn't planning on it, but the place I used to work for needed someone quickly and I got asked back. Not working for a year, then going back to a very busy place takes a toll- especially with my fibromyalgia changing faces. It seems I get so much more tired easily, take awhile to bounce back. That in mind, I have been working on several reviews- one I am going to post tonight, featuring a giveaway, so get the word out and come back tomoorow. Trust me, it will be a great one ( ALL giveaways are great aren't they?!) All this weeke I am also going to be posting about lessons learned. I hope some resonate with you and you respond. I enjoy feedback! Stay tuned! #summer, #giveaway, #review, #fibromyalgia

The Care & Feeding of a Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 03:56:00 +0000

As I am discussing business with different companies, it occurred to me that this blog is like a small child. I have to give it my utmost attention and feed it with posts (which, yes, I know, I haven't done). I have a hard time posting anything, keyword ANYthing, but I have to force myself. I have been told by more seasoned mommies ...I mean bloggers that this will get easier. I, myself make it hard because I often feel if I don't have anything good, like a freebie, sample or giveaway then why post? But then again, why not? I don't know who's out there reading this. I've learned that I have some pretty cool random thoughts. Thoughts that make me wonder, but then I see others have that same thought- Thank you Pinterest! Pinterest has me now convinced that I'm not crazy...just jaded perhaps, a better word being "experienced". Being empty-nested gives you alot of time to think again. So, buckle up- it's going to be a fun ride! Any other empty-nesters out there?

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 18:35:00 +0000

With much encouragement, here I am ...again, or should I say 'still'? It's been a longtime, I know and I can't even really apologize. Let's just say it's been a VERY rough 2 years. There have been moves, illnesses, deaths and lots of lots lessons learned in this time away. I was just going to let this blog go away quietly, but now that the dust seems to have settled, the healing that's occurred and the people that have poked me and said "hey, I miss your blog", I've decided to give it a go again. I've learned that with the blog, I was thinking all of nothing. If I couldn't get a ton of giveaways, samples or "attractions", or as the blogiverse says- traffic- then what good was it? Would people really want to hear what I have to say? I have wrestled with that question, and finally have come up with the answer- so what if no one does. I am sure many would be authors thought the same...but what if they didn't write those awesome words, or at least try?? So, if you are reading this- thanks for coming. I plan on a little of everything- but be forewarned...I have "one of those lives" that things just happen, and they are just too good to makeup, or not to share! I do make people laugh, find some great bargains, and love to well, gab. You just never know what you will get with me. I do have some good things lined up, but won't focus on what I can give, other than myself. That way, the things that do come along, will be all the more appreciated. With that note- LET"S BLOG! Oh yeah, if you have fledging blog, like mine (under 1,000 followers)- let me know. We can swap buttons and help each other out! PS-I love feedback, knowing that people are listening, or that I helped someone smile....so get writing!

I Missed YOU

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 06:51:00 +0000

Wow..Whew...Where do I begin?
I feel like I was chugging along in the blogiverse and fell into a hole, much like Alice did in Alice In Wonderland. Boy, did I meet a host a characters just as she did too! I guess I will save that for future posts because I have learned so much in the past six months or so that I have been held hostage by life's little pitfalls. One Aha Moment after another and it would not be right not to share the blessings with all of you.
I just hope all of you are still with me, or at least when you see me post again, you will right back on this Happy Train.

One thing I did realize with doing this blog was that I was trying too hard to make it perfect and in doing that, I got so overwhelmed that I often didn't post if I felt it wasn't an earth shattering post...That won't happen anymore. I made the mistake of believing that if I didn't have anything to give away then nobody would read. Well, what kind of friendship does that make? So, in the future, I will post anything and everything that I want to share. After all, if you don't want to read it, then just click the X, and come back with the next one.
However, I did alot of internet traveling and have found more hot spot for freebies, coupons, deals and more- you just never know what you will find here.
I think I have gotten more comfortable with this "empty-nest syndrome" and now I fully understand why it's called as such (yes, that will be another post). Suffice it to say, it does take some adaptation...not just running around naked and having "nooners" whenever one wants (although, that does now fit into the equation *wink*). I now feel like I know what I am doing, working toward and finally, FINALLY learned that to love someone fully and help in their growth, you need to let go sometimes...My friends, that is THE hardest part of parenting for me.
So...without boring you to tears with this post, I will end here.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you again, and wow, the giveaways...much in the hopper, so do stay tuned!
Once again, thank you for sticking with me.
Great friends can always just pick up where they left off and not even miss a beat!

Free Smucker's Uncrustables!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 23:43:00 +0000

This started on September 13 and runs though October 13. Head over to Smuckers Uncrustables, and submit an organizational tip or solution for the on-the-go mom or dad (a “Tip) and receive a coupon by mail for one free box of Smucker’s Uncrustables sandwiches (4-pack) (max. value $3.00)

The coupon is available to the first 500 who register for it – allow 6 weeks for delivery! If you miss this on Monday you still have a chance to grab this freebie because they will give away 400 coupons daily through October 13th!

Here's the daily schedule- Good luck!

Mondays 12 Noon EST
Tuesdays 6 am EST
Wednesdays 4 pm EST
Thursdays 6 am EST
Fridays 12 Noon EST
Saturdays 2 pm EST
Sundays 9 pm EST

(Thanks, CombatClippers!)

Follow Me as I Go from Scarcity into Prosperity

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:10:00 +0000

I have been fighting with blogger to get this posted in time for this evening's call. I hope it reaches the right people in time.
I will post other things after this.
Main thing is getting it posted!
Hopefully, I will "see you" there!

Professional Transformational Life Coach and Spiritual Intuitive, Stacy Kamala Waltman who specializing in moving past grief in all areas of our lives and into Radical Forgiveness is doing a seminar on, “Waking from the Trance of Scarcity into even Greater Prosperity”!

Collectively light will be brought in through this seminar allowing a shift to occur and you will develop a new capacity for receiving abundant prosperity. Having been on the spiritual path for over 30 years, Stacy Kamala Waltman brings a clarity that has been honed through study and refinement.

This teleseminar will be a four week course held each Tuesday evening from 6:00 - 6:45 PM PST, beginning on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 thru Tuesday, October 5, 2010.

This teleseminar event meets up via telephone and there will be some homework.

Space is limited to the first 8 participants and two spots are still available! Hurry and register via the PayPal link below!

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DSCDCKR8W22Z4

After registering, please send an email to Stacy: ic@integrationcoaching.com verifying your payment.

You will then receive the conference number and access code to this life changing teleseminar.

What a wonderful opportunity!

To your abundant happiness,

The Whirlwind Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:22:00 +0000

Whew!
I love September!
By far, it is the busiest of all months for me, but it also brings with it, the energy needed for all the upcoming "little whirlwinds".
I got to open all the windows the other day and it was wonderful!
Last night, I could already smell bonfires in the air...ahhh, Fall:-)

September is busy on the National Calendar as well.

Here is just a taste, but these things will be mentioned on here, coming up. Many things are in store for this month.

National Menopause Awareness Month- I was blessed with the opportunity to review a book by Staness Jonekos; just wait to see what that's all about and the generous giveaway that will be happening with that!

There will also be other things...links, freebies, and information that is so important and helpful for this time of transition.

National Chicken Month -all month there will be chicken everything. Facts, recipes, freebies and links, links links!

National Cholestrol Education Month lots of stuff about this. Something that we really don't think about...until the doctor says we need to. So, I have gathered links, references and info.

National Literacy Month- can you imagine just for a second what it would be like not to be able to read? I can't. Reading is an escape for me. I can go to any place in the world that I want to...and that is by picking up a book. Some people cannot even write their name, or read...anything. We will explore some of that this month. Reading IS Fundamental.

National Sewing Month can you My mom can sew anything...absolutely anything. Me?? Haha. We won't go there. Let's just say that after I took my sewing machine to a class and tried SO hard to sew a jumper for my daughter, the teacher politely told me that, "Perhaps sewing just isn't your thing, dear". I gathered all my pieces of my now completely sewn inside-out, pockets upside down jumper (hey, it WAS unique, right?) not saying a word, not shedding a tear...until I got into my car. I went home, put my sewing machine in the closet and that is where it stayed. OK, so I can do other things. The apple fell into another stratosphere on that one!
Lots of goodies for this...hang on

Suicide Prevention Month Need I say more? There will be links for this, and phone numbers.

and... National Chocolate Milk Day which is September 27 (hubby will LOVE that).

Then...oh, do I have the reviews/giveaways!
New scents- candles, bath potions, lotions and massage bars.
New things for the house- *whisper* Tupperware is not like what it used to be.
Bling.
Food products galore. and did I mention bling?
I am giggling as I type this...so much for all of you is coming...and fun for me- I LOVE this!
I also have lots of places to sign up for surveys, if interested, as well as other things I have found in my days of exile in the bed room air conditioning days. I don't about you, but these days I am looking for ways to add to that bottom line. Christmas will be here before we know it...and every little $1 helps!

So...make sure you have this place bookmarked! I know you already have subscribed, right? If not, then there is a place for you to do so, and of course, follow me on twitter and facebook- it will all be there too!

Let the fun begin!
Weeeeeeeeeeee

The Care & Feeding of a Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:27:00 +0000

This has been a summer of discovery for me. The blog name I have reflects just that, as I am "reinventing myself", and learning about myself all over again after raising my daughter.
In my quest to make this blog perfect, which is something that will never happen with a blog, I have often always looked for a better way and then instead, ended up not posting at all.
I mean, I was thinking, who really wants to hear about my life?
As I have found...many do!

Some fly through the empty-nest stage. Myself, I am stumbling along asking "where do I belong now". Some days I just don't feel, well, needed, I guess is the best word...not like before. We live in a VERY small town and that has alot to do with it. Take note, if you plan on emptying the nest, maybe you should do it somewhere that you can DO things. I would love to take classes, but other than online, there is nothing for me. I am learning though, what I do want to do and pursue.
I also learned about friendships. I have made some of the most meaningful friendships via Facebook. It took me quite awhile to jump on the bandwagon, but now that I have, I am so very happy to have "met" people that I have otherwise wouldn't have.
I have also learned that sometimes, we have to let go of the toxic ones. The ones that leave us so drained that we wonder why we have these people in our lives to begin with. It is getting easier to spot now, and easier to let go after seeing the devastation it can bring to myself and others.

So, that that being said...I am saying goodbye to the summer of discovery. This past summer I have started a dream journal, gotten back in touch with my spirituality and even gotten into reading more. I am learning that "technical" stuff isn't as scary as I thought and now I am addicted to crossword puzzles. Even though I couldn't do the things I wanted to outside...we went fishing twice, garden dried up, and we lived in a cave, with the curtains all drawn- all was not lost.

I also say goodbye to the hot, hot summer. As mentioned in my other post, here in Wisconsin, I didn't expect this...at all.

I am grateful, VERY grateful that we had that because the nights would have been unbearable.
Now, as the cool night breeze is wafting through my office window and I can blog again...I feel *home*...sigh....good to be back.

September is National Menopause Month, and many great things are planned. I am really jazzed about it. All this time has given me time to research many things, authors, doctors, natural medicines and wow, so much more!

I have some great ideas for this blog now, whereas before I felt like I was wandering blind. I want this to be as individual as I am and not a copy of someone else's work.
I am going to be taking some classes online and will share what I learn on here as well as making and creating some things that I have IN my mind.

So, bring on September. I am more than ready to dive in.
Moms are getting their kids ready to back to school, silently thanking God that they will be getting some peace & quiet back. Kids are anticipating so much...what friends they will be making, what boys will be new to the school and what fads will be "in".
Stay tuned! It's going to be a rockin' month!

It's almost HERE!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:49:00 +0000

Fall...with it's crispiness in the air. The crunch of the leaves; apples, football, school busses. I love everything to do with Fall/Autumn. It is my favorite time of year and after this summer, I have become a cheerleader for it.
I have never seen such an unruly summer. I liken Mother Nature, to myself with the hotflashes and moodswings- but wow, let's hope I am not as bad as she has been!

Remember that saying..."When Mama ain't happy, aint NoBody Happy?" That really applied for the summer didn't it?
I live in Wisconsin. Moving here, I was told "you won't need air conditioning there" when I questioned renting a house without central air. Keep in mind, I am hotflashing, and when you get to that point, it's something you like to accomodate for! I asked many people that lived in Wisconsin, and they all said the same, "you won't need central air", "the hottest month will be in August for about a week", and my all time favorite comment that rings back at me... "you will be fine with a small window unit".
When we visited Wisconsin before moving here, I did notice many window units and even asked around to people I made friends with up here- you guessed it, they all said "naaa, it doesn't get hot up here, too close to Canada". So, I agreed to move into a place with a window unit only.
I have lived in my bedroom this summer- or, we open up the bedroom so the air goes into the living room, with the help of a fan, one of 5 we have now. My office, is in the back of the house...far, far away from that window unit! My glasses have fogged up, slipped down my nose, then I run back into the bedroom, and find myself reading magazine and underlining, highlighting and tearing out pages, alot of which I will be posting on here at a future date.

It also could be noted with the heat came the humidity-NOT a good combo...not good at all. I don't know about you, but I feel deflated when it's humid. I lose my zig, my zag, my yin, my yang and anything else that keeps me going!

Yes, this summer has been brutal! All across the nation, people have suffered from this heat, even died.
But...there is relief! As mentioned, Fall is coming to the rescue.
Goodbye heat, humidity &Bugs...not to mention the rain. Yeah, I am very disappointed with the summer's weather- it's held me back from many things....we have now decided to move to a place with central air!

I know, I know, some people are probably wanting to strangle me wishing summer away...Fall brings back to school!! Fall brings baking, crafting, sales, scents and warmth, but in a different way...a cozy "snuggle in your blanket" type of way.
Ok...off the soapbox. Onto to posting, posting, posting and catching up! Thanks for being patient- I promise you, it will be worth the wait!
Hang in there, keep reading, keep following and please comment when you stop by! I have made many new blogging friends and would love to follow you back!
(Next review/giveaway to be announced soon as I can handle sitting here, at this desk, with no air...UGH!)

It's all a matter of perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:07:00 +0000

I want the good old days back! The days when I didn't hurt, when I didn't need glasses, let alone bifocals, when I could run around bra-less without the "twins" hitting my belly-button....and I could exercise (wow, I said that!?)
I know...you are probably reading that chuckling, saying "don't we all?"

This past birthday hit me hard in so many different ways. Forty-five, which everyone warned me about...was a snap comepared to this one!
This year's birthday, wow, it was hard to even say it.

Remember how it felt when we were 29, and you just wanted to stay there? Saying "thirty" felt like it just hung there on the tongue, didn't it?
Yeah, well, it's that way for forty-six...it's the six part, 4 years away from 50- that gets me. Then you think "wow, 50, FIFTY- (insert panic here)there's so much I have yet to do!"
46 puts me in another age bracket when doing my beloved surveys too. And, added insult? I have noticed that now, when I click that little "46" button, a buzzer rings in cyberspace and I disqualified from many surveys. Hey, we have opinions too ya know!
Ok, the, onto thinking in my forty-six (not getting any easier to type yet either!) year old brain.

My daughter, my little baby girl, who hated to wear anything girly when she was little...will be twenty one. THAT is hard to type, let alone say! Twenty-one; legal drinking age, is now talking about going to casino's, while, when I look at her I sometimes see that little girl learning to walk and stomping her foot, saying "no!"
46...nope, not getting easier yet...Check back with me on that.

Meantime, my forty six year old has been rebeling too. Most of you know that I have been dealing with fibromyalgia. I am going through peri-menopause, and had the hysterectomy. Those aches and pains, although not accepted, I used to. I know what do for what pain, and also what not to do. I also know how much push or not push myself and I have always tried to encourage others that are going through through same, having gone through it myself.
Then I wake up to something else, like this double sciatica and think "nooooo"...and it doesn't go away. In this past month I also found out that I have a couple of bulging discs in my neck, and a couple in lower back and in finding that, they also found something that should have been found a LONG time ago called cognitive spinal stenosis-no wonder my back is revolting lately.
All in all, what this pertains to this post is that 46 years finally caught up to me and knocked me on my booty. Usually, we celebrate a birthday, have a little too much to drink, get wild and crazy like we did in younger years and pay for it for the next week.

This year, I turned 46, ahhh, it's gets easier to type...and paid for it the next week, but in a different way.
I did alot of reflection sort of the way a monk goes into silence.
At first, I felt mournful for my youth that has vanished seemingly overnight. As the week progressed , and I meditated more, while also trying to used to yet another medication, I looked over the forty six year(that time typing it was a breeze) journey I have taken so far and all the wisdom I have gained. I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I have gained friends, lessons, love, memories, spiritual wisdom, gratitude, wow, just so many things over all these years. Now, instead of looking at what I have lost over the years. I now see all that I have gained, and instead of being mournful of the loss of the flexibility of my body and the things I cannot do, I look forward to all the thing, instead, that I will learn and see that I can do.
There are alot of wmen that got started after 45- which I will be posting about in the future too...more then I thought there was.

It's all a matter of perspective, which will be my mantra for this year.

However- in light of ALL that...I have some giveaways lined up, just be patient. Ellie and I are pretty much going to keep the bash going, who needs a birthday? Birthdays should be all year anyway right? Just like Christmas- clelebrate it all year. I even have Thanksgiving dinner throughout the year- I am thankful all year, right?
Now, on with the show!
(Remember...be patient with your elders! Haha)

Birthday Bash Giveaway EOS -evolution of smooth-Shave Cream and Lip Balm

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:04:00 +0000

EOS evolution of smooth products and I have some history.
I had sent away for a sample of some lip balm last fall. It came in the mail the day before I was going for surgery, so I just tossed it in my overnight bag and didn't think anything of it...until the day of surgery.

That lip balm saved me! The nurse kept wanting to put balm that the hospital had- it was so waxy and actually dried my lips out. My lips were cut from the tube they used. I asked hubby to please look in my bag for that sample I threw in there. Wow, it was so refreshing!

Yeah, I know, you are probably thinking, "lip balm is all the same." I used to think that too, until my hospital experience. Now it's only EOS for me. Matter of fact, that Christmas, everyone got that in their little stockings I make every year...even my 91 year-old Grandma! She loves it too.
It's 95% organic and 100% natural...that's for me!
Most balms make me lick my lips more, this doesn't and my lips feel so hydrated. It's also paraben and petrolatem free.
Here's a little excerpt from their site:

Can a lip balm make you smile? We think so. That’s why we invented this one.

Long-lasting moisture
Shea butter & vitamin E
Smoothes on clear
New smooth sphere precisely glides on to lips
Twist-off top
Gluten-free
Paraben-free
Petrolatum-free
Phthalate-free

eos lip balm is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.
The other flavors are:

My bottom line is ...This is a MUST for me. I have every flavor of it, and it's even on my nightstand! When I make care packages, you bet this is in it!

Soooo when EOS got in touch with me to do a review on their shaving cream, you know I was excited! I wasn't disappointed either.
I am almost 6' tall, so shaving to me, is a chore! I always end up knicking myself, no matter how careful I am and no matter what razor I use, even if it does have "safety" blades, and even when I use shaving cream. Most times, I admit, I am in a hurry and just wet shave, using soap and water in the shower.
But...
now shaving is an experience I look forward to!
I got the EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream in Lavendar Jasmine

and to say it was a pleasant experience that I now look forward to is really an under statement.
I didn't come out of the bathroom with knicked up legs! In fact, my legs were so smooth, I didn't even need lotion on them that night, the lotion is already in the shaving cream- oooh lala!
And as an added bonus, my bathroom and adjoining bedroom smelled wonderful!
Usually shave cream dries my legs out and later makes me itchy. This shaving cream doesn't at all. It went on smooth, creamy, no foam to it...and didn't just melt away either.
Here's the best part!
You can shave wet OR dry with it! I tried both, and even dry, it's still smoothing and refreshing, still didn't need lotion. That's because it's made with natural aloe, oat, shea butter and antioxidant vitamins E and C (all the good stuff!!) to leave your skin looking great and actually helps boost mositure levels in your skin. I couldn't stop touching my legs that night, neither could hubby *wink*

I know I will be stocking up on this product as well!
There are other scents and I want to try them too, especially the Isalnd Breeze! Their other scents are:

The bottle is also recyclable...also great!

EOS is going to give a bottle of Pomegranate Raspberry Ultra Moisturizing Shaving Cream and a Lemon Drop Lip Balm Sphere to one of my readers. All you have to do is go to the EOS and tell me what store you, personally can get eos products at...and if you don't have anywhere around you, then where would you purchase it online? That's it!
(This entry must be complete for all other entries to count).

EXTRA ENTRIES:
1) Follow EOS on Twitter

2) Follow my blog via GFC

3) Follow my blog via Networked Blogs

4) Follow Ellie's Blog Via Networked blogs ( Right side column half way down)

5) Follow Ellie's Blog A Little Of This & A Little of That
6) Follow me on Twitter
7) Follow Ellie on Twitter
8) Blog about the giveaway and link to eos and me and return with the URL.

9) Tweet about the giveaway and return with the URL

10) Enter Ellie's Birthday Bash Giveaway here and tell me what entry number you are for your entry

*Please make sure to leave a way for me to contact you in your entries.

Giveaway ends July 23rd

Giveaway is open to Continental US only

DISCLOSURE: I have not received any monetary compensation, however the company did send me the product to review which will be mine to keep, for my honest, unbiased opinion as seen in my full disclosure on my blog.

PRIVACY POLICY: Reinventing Myself holds all blog reader information collected for giveaways in very strict confidence. I will not sell or share email addresses or mailing addresses with any other entity. All winner's information such as email address, mailing address, and at times phone numbers is collected for companies honoring the giveaways. All photographs are my property and are not to be taken without my permission.

In praise of local farmers

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:20:00 +0000

I have been looking for information on local...everything. I thought I would share my findings, just in case some of you are wondering the same things.
We moved to this area last year and I am learning about the surrounding areas now. The Amish areas are amazing! I can just sit and watch the kids play- they are so at peace- even while playing! There is so much teamwork, no complaining, and everyone does a little bit, yielding such much in the end.
We have a lot to learn from the Amish...but I am disgressing here (and this will be a subject for a different post).
You may ask "why buy local?"
Why Locally Grown?
People worldwide are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and that means it is tastier and more nutritious. It is also good for your local economy--buying directly from family farmers helps them stay in business.

I found this link...and I am searching for more.
I hope this helps you, as it has helped me.
Local Harvest

This site has alot on there...check it out and support your local farmers and businesses! Stay tuned for more links like this. I have been on this site for a few hours!

It's Our Birthday! Review/Giveaway *Queen of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman's Guide to Claiming Happiness and Getting the Life You Deserve

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:58:00 +0000

When I first saw this book, I knew I had to read it! I also saw how perfect it fit in with this blog, so I contacted Kathy and Cindy on their Facebook page.
This book made me laugh and cry, but most of all I felt empowered again...and I didn't feel alone in what I was feeling lately. While I was reading it in the bedroom, I was yelling "yes, yes, YES..." which made my guy come running in, all excited, thinking perhaps he was going to see something other than me with my nose in a book! He turned away saying "oh, that queen book again". This book will make you rethink everything and make you KNOW that you are a Queen...no matter what age you are in numbers. Run, jump, play in the puddles, if you are so inclined to- it's OK!
Here's a description of the book from Amazon:

Discover the Seven Best Gifts You Can Give YourselfQueen of Your Own Life is a philosophy, a decision and an invitation to happiness for women who have made the tough but rewarding journey to the midpoint in their lives. Kathy Kinney (best known as Mimi on The Drew Carey Show) and Cindy Ratzlaff (marketing genius behind the launch of The South Beach Diet) have been best friends for more than thirty years, and have helped each other navigate the ups and downs of their lives with humor and grace.
In this entertaining and inspiring book, they share the tried-and-true techniques they call "the seven best gifts a woman can give herself." They reveal how they learned to value themselves just the way they are—women in full bloom, sensual, vibrant, wise and more beautiful than ever—and they'll show you how you can, too.
With these seven gifts you'll discover how to:
• Claim your beauty and feel your power
• Clean your mental closet and find your queen voice
• Admire yourself for who you've become
• Build deep, fulfilling friendships with other women
• Establish firm boundaries that will strengthen all your relationships
• Learn the simple trick to finally being happy
• Place the crown firmly on your head
With humor, comfort and inspiration, Queen of Your Own Life offers easy step-by-step actions to blast away at the societal tall tale that young is beautiful and old is just old. If you've been feeling that the best part of your life may be behind you, then this book will prove to you just how untrue that is, and that the door to being happy is not only never closed, but just waiting for you to fling it open. Remember, you don't have to be twenty to have your whole life ahead of you. Now is the time to become Queen of Your Own Life!

Kathy and Cindy would like to give one of my readers their own copy Queen of Your Own Life. All you have to do is go to Queen of Your Own Life website and sign up for their newsletter! Just doing that, you will be a winner, because you will be then welcomed to the rest of your life! (This is also required for entry and for all other entries to count.)

Get Extra Entries by:
1) Follow my blog via GFC
2) Follow Ellie's blog via GFC
3) Follow my blog via Networked Blogs
4) Follow Ellie's blog via Networked Blogs
5) Follow me on Twitter
6) Follow Ellie on Twitter
7) Follow Queen of Your Life on Twitter
8) Blog about this giveaway and link to Queen Of Your Own Life and me and return with the URL.
9) Tweet this giveaway and return with URL
10) Grab the Birthday Bash Button and return with URL

Giveaway open to Continental US only
Giveaway ends July 9th
*Please tell me how to contact you you in comments
Giveaway is over and Randomizer has spoken... #15

Winner has been notified.

DISCLOSURE: I have not received any monetary compensation, however the company did send me the product to review which will be mine to keep, for my honest, unbiased opinion as seen in my full disclosure.

PRIVACY POLICY: Reinventing Myself holds all blog reader information collected for giveaways in the strictest confidence. I will not sell or share email addresses or mailing addresses with any other entity. All winner's information such as email address, mailing address, and at times, phone numbers is collected for companies at their request honoring the giveaways. All photographs are my property and are not to be taken without my permission.

Come and Party With Us!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:09:00 +0000

You are invited to a month long, yes, that's right... a MONTH long party!
It will be the talk of the Blogiverse! You will just never know what we will do next!
It's Ellie's birthday, of A Little Of This and a Little of That on the 24th and mine, which is on the 15th...but YOU will be getting the gifts!
Giveaways daily, lots of fun, food and well, you just never know what else we may have (sssssh, but I am surprising Ellie too).
Bring your friends, leave the kids with the hubbies or babysitters, and plan on having a great time.
Oh, and if you have a blog- can you grab the button and spread the word? The more followers we have, on everything from Twitter, subscribers, facebook, google connect and networked blogs, the better the giveaways will be!
Let The Partying Begin!

Wave Your Flag "Cheesecake"

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:19:00 +0000

*Note: there is no cheesecake to this recipe. It has cream cheese in the topping- and is awesome! It's always been a favorite at gatherings.

prep time

20 min

total time

4 hr 25 min

makes

20 servings

What you need:

4 cups fresh strawberries, divided

1-1/2 cups boiling water

2 pkg. (3 oz. each) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin

ice cubes

1 cup cold water

1 pkg. (10.75 oz.) prepared pound cake, cut into 10 slices

1-1/3 cups blueberries, divided

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Make It

SLICE 1 cup strawberries; halve remaining strawberries. Set aside.
Add boiling water to gelatin mixes in large bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved.
Add ice to cold water to measure 2 cups.
Add to gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted.
Refrigerate 5 min. or until slightly thickened.

MEANWHILE, line bottom of 13x9-inch dish with cake.
Add sliced strawberries and 1 cup blueberries to thickened gelatin; stir gently. Spoon over cake.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until gelatin is firm.
BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over gelatin. Arrange strawberry halves on cream cheese mixture to resemble stripes of flag. Add remaining blueberries for stars.

I blog...what can I say?!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:25:00 +0000

~The Show Must Go On~

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:55:00 +0000

I haven't posted in some time, again, I apologize. This blog is about reflection, reinvention and finding myself...and that is what I have been doing.
I deal with chronic pain, for the past ten years, it was fibromyalgia and I was pretty confident that I had that under control, or at least, could manage the pain.
Since I had surgery last October, a hysterectomy, I haven't been able to "bounce back". It seems the pain has gotten worse, so I finally went to a pain specialist. There I found out that I also have 2 bulging discs, in lower and upper back. In finding out that, I have pinched sciatic nerves. My butt cheeks feel like they are on fire, which goes down both or one leg.
Ok, as long as I know how to deal with this, and that I can do things to make it better- then, ok. I have great doctors now, and I am confident that this will be a temporary thing.

Here is where the struggle begins.

I am a very positive person. The only reason I would post on here about pain, is to help others. But this past week or so, I just really didn't know what to post.
I have prayed and meditated about it and know that being silent isn't going to help anything- in fact, it may even give the wrong message.
So, I will just say that, if you suffer from chronic pain, any type, I am here for you.
I think the most frustrating this is having people in your life that don't understand. The only ones that can truly understand, are the ones that know what it feels like...and not just the pain. I am referring to way this makes you feel mentally, then physically because it's impossible to exerise when you hurt all over.
As the title of the post says- The Show Must Go on...I owe to you, my readers, and I also owe it to myself to just keep going.
I am working on a poem called just that- What Chronic Pain CanNOT do...
So, please have patience with me, as I muddle through this- find a way to deal with this as well as the fibromyalgia.
Together we will make a difference!
Thanks for reading this...I wouldn't be where I am without you guys reading this!

You're not ALL that snicker

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:20:00 +0000

Thanks to my awesome friend Lisa, who always puts a smile on my face, even when it's hard to find one!

We Grow Old When...(A Beautiful Story)

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:25:00 +0000

A friend shared this with me, after it was shared with her- I am asking you to do the same. Share this with the ones you love!

Beautiful Story-Rose

"Hi handsome...my name is Rose"

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.....

She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old.Can I give you a hug?'

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.

She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'

'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and
experience with me..

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she revelled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students.
She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humour every day.
You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability.
The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets..'

She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it!

These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.
We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

A Miracle is guaranteed...just look out your window when you wake in the morning and think about it.

'Good friends are like stars..... .....You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.'

And here the lyrics of 'The Rose'

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed

Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need

I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance

It's the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance

It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give

And the soul, afraid of dying
That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long

And you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong

Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow

Lies the seed
That with the sun's love, in the spring

Becomes the rose

Shrek Glasses from McDonald's being recalled

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:04:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Cadmium has been discovered in the painted design on "Shrek"-themed drinking glasses being sold nationwide at McDonald's, forcing the burger giant to recall 12 million of the cheap U.S.-made collectibles while dramatically expanding contamination concerns about the toxic metal beyond imported children's jewelry.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the voluntary recall early Friday, warned consumers to immediately stop using the glasses; McDonald's said it would post instructions on its website next week regarding refunds.
The 16-ounce glasses, being sold for about $2 each as part of a promotional campaign for the movie "Shrek Forever After," were available in four designs depicting the characters Shrek, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots and Donkey.
In the animated comedy, which debuted May 21 as the latest installment of the successful DreamWorks Animation franchise, the voice of Shrek is performed by Mike Myers of "Austin Powers" fame, Cameron Diaz performs as Princess Fiona, Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots and Eddie Murphy voices Donkey. The movie has been No. 1 at the box office since its release.
The CPSC noted in its recall notice that "long-term exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects." Cadmium is a known carcinogen that research shows also can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems.
In the case of the Shrek-themed glassware, the potential danger would be long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium, which could leach from the paint onto a child's hand, then enter the body if the child puts that unwashed hand to his or her mouth.
Cadmium can be used to create reds and yellows in paint. McDonald's USA spokesman Bill Whitman said a pigment in paint on the glasses contained cadmium.
"A very small amount of cadmium can come to the surface of the glass, and in order to be as protective as possible of children, CPSC and McDonald's worked together on this recall," said CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson. He would not specify the amounts of cadmium that leached from the paint in tests, but said the amounts were "slightly above the protective level currently being developed by the agency."
Wolfson said the glasses have "far less cadmium than the children's metal jewelry that CPSC has previously recalled."
Concerns about cadmium exposure emerged in January, when The Associated Press reported that some items of children's jewelry sold at major national chains contained up to 91 percent of the metal. Federal regulators worry that kids could ingest cadmium by biting, sucking or even swallowing contaminated pendants and bracelets.
The consumer protection agency has issued three recalls this spring for jewelry highlighted in the AP stories, including products sold at Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer; at Claire's, a major jewelry and accessories chain in North America and Europe; and at discount and dollar stores.
Those recalls all involved children's metal jewelry -- and all of that jewelry was made in China.
Manufactured by ARC International of Millville, N.J., the glasses were to be sold from May 21 into June. Roughly seven million of the glasses had been sold; another approximately five million are in stores or have not yet been shipped, said Whitman.
Associated Press reporters tried unsuccessfully to buy the glasses late Thursday at McDonald's in New York, Los Angeles and northern New Jersey but were alternately told the merchandise was sold out, no longer available or "there'll be more tomorrow."
E-mails sent after business hours to two spokesmen for ARC International seeking comment were not immediately returned.
McDonald's said it was asking customers to stop using the glasses "out of an abundance of caution."
"We believe the Shrek glassware is safe for consumer use," Whitman said. "However, again to ensure that our customers receive safe products from us, we made the decision to stop selling them and voluntarily recall these products effective immediately."
Whitman said that as the CPSC develops new protocols and standards for cadmium in consumer products, "we adjust as necessary to ensure that our customers can continue to trust what they receive from McDonald's."
The Associated Press National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate(at)ap.org

The "Men" in Menopause...

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:50:00 +0000

In the last few days, I have done alot of reflecting. I hear you do that when you get to be "this age". I have also done alot of head shaking. I am doing that because going through this cycle thing, I don't even know what you call it- when you don't have a period per se, but all the dwarfs are here- yeah, those menopausal meanies are still here.
So, back to the head shaking- men really just don't "get it". So, I was thinking...how ironic that this is called "menopause". It certainly gives us women a reason to pause...and think...about men?
I quietly thought "I will not kill him, I will not kill him, I will not kill him" and just blinked when he said "you seem bitchy today, maybe you shouldn't have another cup of coffe".
WHAT did that man just say?
He did NOT just say anything about me not having my joy juice did he? Really? Because that would be traveling on dangerous territory. After all, I had just had a half of cup, and he knows, I have two cups a day.
He did NOT make a comment about my mood, did he? Naaaa, I couldn't have heard that right? This is the same person that had a hissy fit and didn't want to talk because it started raining when he wanted to go fishing. Naaa, he didn't just say something about MY mood! did he?
Just keep rocking in this recliner, shaking my head and just and drink my coffee, think...happy, happy thoughts.
Funny thing about all this is, I never used to think like this.
There was and will be a time, when I would just a) either ignore the statement or b) laugh it off or- even better- there would be no statement, because I wasn't bitchy.
When I am like this, for a little while, it's ummm, kind of cool- because I just don't care what anyone thinks. As long as I home, it's ok. And for just a few days, I picture the cartoon Maxine lady, the Golden Girls, and all the other older ladies that have spunk- because that will be me!
I am just entering another phase is all. This is a transition.

I often wonder if while that moth is in the cocoon, is there any turmoil going on in there? Is it just a smooth transition and it comes out an swesome, beautifully designed butterfly? I am sure that there was some squirming and some points the butterfly was very uncomfortable, wondering WHAT am I going through this for? it may even be struggling at one point just wants to give up- but look at what it would have missed if it did! Moreso, look at what everyone around it, would have missed- all of it's beauty, if it did!

Menopause, or any transition in life is not easy- but we all need to hang in there, and support each other any way we can! If you see someone struggling, help them out- you will be blessed in more ways than you could even imagine! If you are with somene that doesn't understand your transition, as with men and menopause, then find someone that does. That is why I write about this! Humor makes things livable- we have all either been there, going there, or will be there.

Zig Ziglar would have made an awesome blogger!

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:47:00 +0000

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.-Zig Ziglar

{Free Sample} Pantene Customized Hair Solutions

noreply@blogger.com (Patti) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:37:00 +0000

Get NEW Pantene customized hair solutions for Fine, Medium-Thick, Curly and Color.
Link to P&G Brand Sampler

Reinventing Myself

Wow...what a year!

The Care & Feeding of a Blog

I Missed YOU

Free Smucker's Uncrustables!

Follow Me as I Go from Scarcity into Prosperity

The Whirlwind Begins

The Care & Feeding of a Blog

It's almost HERE!

It's all a matter of perspective

*Birthday Bash Giveaway* EOS -evolution of smooth-Shave Cream and Lip Balm

In praise of local farmers

It's Our Birthday! Review/Giveaway *Queen of Your Own Life: The Grown-Up Woman's Guide to Claiming Happiness and Getting the Life You Deserve

Come and Party With Us!

Wave Your Flag "Cheesecake"

Make It

I blog...what can I say?!

~The Show Must Go On~

You're not ALL that *snicker*

We Grow Old When...(A Beautiful Story)

Shrek Glasses from McDonald's being recalled

The "Men" in Menopause...

Zig Ziglar would have made an awesome blogger!

{Free Sample} Pantene Customized Hair Solutions

Birthday Bash Giveaway EOS -evolution of smooth-Shave Cream and Lip Balm

You're not ALL that snicker