Keep passing open windows

Have you ever been to Tulsa, Oklahoma

2009-07-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the Tulsa centennial was in 2008? If you're a fan of Tulsa, or Oklahoma, there's a great website with some fun and funky designs on t-shirts, mouse pads (mice pads?), coffee mugs, and stuff like that. All from a CafePress store, so you know there's a 30 day, 100% money back guarantee on anything you purchase.

From the Tulsa Tees website "You're not just an Okie -- you're a Tulsan! From boomtown to bust and back again, comfortably cosmopolitan and sweating like pigs in the humidity! Tulsa, Oklahoma, is back! Find original Tulsa designs on t shirts and other gifts here."

These gifts are great for anyone originally from Oklahoma, or any "Okie" at heart. Here's one of my favorite designs...Tulsa and me...
You can find it here at Tulsa tees. They also have some fun, political and humorous designs you might like, check them out, http://www.cafepress.com/tulsatees

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://cafeshoppe.com/TeeHee

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://beflip.blogspot.com/

http://tshirtholiday.blogspot.com/

A fundraiser for a boy with cancer

2009-07-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Hello,

If you've stumbled onto this blog, I hope you'll stay for a minute and continue reading.
A classmate of my kid's is fighting cancer. The family is facing big medical costs along with everything else they're dealing with. There is a fundraiser going on, I thought I'd post to see if anyone in Wisconsin would be interested, or you can email a donation to the family (see address below to the Luckenbooth).

This fundraising event will benefit, 11 year old, Bradley Behling just before he recieves a bone marrow transplant. His parents have given up so much time at work to be at the hospital throughout the past year, and have months ahead, yet, to spend there with him. Plus their medical bills contiue to grow.

You can help easily, and your donation will double thanks to Thrivent Insurance, who is matching dollar for dollar up to $4,000. Almost half the goal to raise $4,000 has been met. 100% of the donations/ ticket sales will go directly to the Behlings!!

You can do 1 of the following things, in the next few days, to help reach the goal! :

Send a check for any amount: to Luckenbooth Cafe, 1204 Mills St. Black Earth, WI 53515 (or drop it off there). Write checks to "Luckenbooth Cafe" and write "Behling Benefit" on the memo line. Checks will be collected through next Tuesday, July 21. The amount you give to the Behlings will double so even a $5 donation is worth it!!
Donate a ticket: Purchase online,

and call Kathy at 401-1045 to tell her you are donating a ticket, if you want to donate but cannot make it to the event. Tickets are $50, so for every ticket donated $100 will be given to the Behlings!!

Attend the Murder Mystery Dinner: (which Bradley and his mom will most likely get to go to!) this Saturday, 7pm, Luckenbooth Cafe, Black Earth, by purchasing tickets online or by check. Tickets are $50, and will be held there for you. (See details of the dinner below.) It will be a unique evening! Middle/high school-aged kids would enjoy this too. For every ticket sold, $100 will be given to the Behlings!!

Call Kathy: at 401-1045 to purchase tickets, or for any questions. She has some donated tickets to give away if you are willing to purchase at least one or more!

Purchase tickets online at www.luckenbooth.org

MURDER AT THE LUCKENBOOTH!

Book a date with destiny on Saturday July 18th at 7.00pm.
Set in Victorian days, become a character in an original murder mystery by Jenafer Lloyd-Jones Humphries.

A formal dinner will be served.

Pianist - Raven
Singer - Jenafer Lloyd-Jones Humphries
Bagpiper - Randy Lagman

This is a special event being held to benefit Bradley Behling, a young classmate of Kathleen's who was in remission but is now back at the hospital. All proceeds will go to the family, to help them a little.

Your help is so very appreciated!
Please pass this on to others.
Thank you,

Pop Culture, Retro

2009-05-25T12:08:00.001-07:00

Popular Culture, or pop Culture as it's called, is all about the attitudes and ideas of the mainstream of any culture. In the year 2009, it seems that it's all about reality television, celebrities, everyone getting their fifteen minutes of fame. The media has had such an influence on what people believe, wear, and how they act, it's kind of frightening, but I guess that's the way it's always been. It just seems to me that there is undue peer pressure on everyone to conform, to fit in, for girls to dress like Brittany Spears and act stupid (like Brittany Spears, oh wait, is that acting?)
According to Wikipedia, "Retro is a term used to describe, denote or classify culturally outdated or aged trends, modes, or fashions, from the overall postmodern past, but have since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc. has occurred from around the time of the industrial revolution to present day.

At least as of the present, "retro" implies especially before the 1990s and after World War 2, while retro fashion design is nowadays increasingly inspired by the 1930s and 1940s."

I think Retro also means classy and original in this day and age. I like to combine my favorite retro shirts, with the new, pop culture favored skinny jeans. Luckily for me, the world also seems more accepting of individuality, and different styles of dressing. When I was in high school, I just wanted to look like everyone else, to blend in. I'm glad that I feel strong enough now to not have that pressure, I feel good enough about myself, that I can wear what I like, what I think is in style, and what makes me feel good about myself.

Skeetz Tees t-shirt and gift shop has some cool retro shirts that I really like. They have designs from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. A lot of the pop culture references are from television shows, and things you'll remember from your childhood. I especially like these blast from the past designs for baseball and football...

They also have some designs referencing some of the classic movies of the past, like Airplane and Revenge of the Nerds. This Tri-Lamda t-shirt is hilarious. If you're looking for some popular culture that will make you stand out and feel good, check out the Skeetz Tees shop.

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

Vintage retro artwork

2009-04-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

When I got married about fifteen years ago, we went to a small town in northern Wisconsin on our honeymoon. There, in a little shop, I found an old metal sign for Black Cat stove polish. It was so cute and retro, and I had a black cat that looked just like the one on the sign, I had to have it. Ever since then, I'm always on the lookout for old vintage postcards, signs, and artwork. I love the retro feel, and the originality of the artwork. So often the images used totally evoke feelings of a different time.
I found a great store on Cafepress called Labelstone, which features vintage poster art, fruit crate labels, Victorian trading cards and more, and they put all of these fabulous designs on everything from t-shirts to coffee mugs. Really great gifts for anyone who appreciates artwork and history.
Some of my favorites included this stunning advertising poster for Absinthe in early art deco style. It's a beautiful piece of artwork. According to Wikipedia, A revival of absinthe began in the 1990s, when countries in the European Union began to reauthorize its manufacture and sale. As of February 2008, nearly 200 brands of absinthe were being produced in a dozen countries, most notably in France, Switzerland, Spain, and the Czech Republic. Commercial distillation of absinthe in the United States resumed in 2007. So, this really is a historical piece of artwork, and any collector or appreciator of liquor would love this. If I had a bar, I would love to have this framed artwork hanging in it.
With Spring finally here, my thoughts also turn to gardening and flowers. There's an entire section in the Labelstone store featuring vintage seed packets for flowers and vegetable from the 1930's. If there's a gardener in your life, or you have a green thumb, you'll appreciate these gardening designs, which look great on refrigerator magnets or coffee mugs. Very colorful and just intime for Spring planting, these hyacinth and tulip labels.
And don't miss the section on vintage french fruit labels- very cool! It's nice to have something original, and the notecards are a great way to send a note to a loved one.

Colorful and cool artwork

2009-03-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

There are some beautiful, colorful photographs available on lots of different products at Go Camel art and Photography. Some of my favorites include beautiful images of different places in Australia, like this stunning Australian sunset over the hill of Canberra, the Capital.
These colorful images are especially beautiful on posters and greeting cards. I also like this magnet of the Red Sea Beach. I can almost smell the ocean and feel the breeze. I've got to get one of these magnets to put up in my cube at work.
There's a beautiful, colorful Australian parrot photograph that I also like. Go Camel Art and Photography has some very unique pictures, from all over the globe. Photos of the Sphinx and pyramids in Egypt, according to Wikipedia, "The Great Sphinx of Giza is a statue of a reclining lion with a human head that stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile, near modern-day Cairo, in Egypt. It is the largest monolith statue in the world, standing 73.5 m (241 ft) long, 6 m (20 ft) wide, and 20 m (65 ft) high. It is the oldest known monumental sculpture, and is commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians in the third millennium BCE.^[1] The Great Sphinx faces due east and houses a small temple between its paws." The beautiful photograph makes a great framed print or poster, and I love the way it looks in the sepia tone, very historical and mysterious. It would make a great gift for any lover of Egyptian culture and history.
There is quite a variety of colorful photography here, very fanciful and original. Check out http://www.cafepress.com/gocamel.

What is the Canadian Boreal Forest and why should I care?

2009-03-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

So, I was wondering aimlessly about the internet, and I stumbled across an article on the Canadian Boreal Forest. "That's odd", I thought to myself, "I've never heard of that." So I started reading about it and was blown away by it's importance to the world, and a little embarrassed that I knew so little.
According to the National Resources Defense Council (nrdc.org),

"Conservation Opportunity: In the far north latitudes, just below the treeless tundra of the polar region, a forest of evergreen trees encircles the earth: this is the boreal forest. The last frontier of northern forest wilderness in Canada, the boreal forest is North America's greatest conservation opportunity. Although most of the world's original wilderness forests have been logged or developed until just about 20 percent remains, approximately 80 percent of the Canadian boreal forest is still unfragmented by roads. Mostly in public hands, over half of Canada's boreal has yet to be allocated to industrial use. This situation is quickly changing, however, as the boreal forest comes under imminent threat from industrial logging, hydropower, mining and oil and gas development.

Of Global Importance: Like the Amazon, the boreal forest is of critical importance to all living things on earth. It is home to the one of the world's largest remaining stands of spruce, fir and tamarack. The thick layers of moss, soil and peat of the boreal are the world's largest terrestrial storehouse of organic carbon and play an enormous role in regulating the Earth's climate. Boreal wetlands filter millions of gallons of water each day that fill our northern rivers, lakes, and streams. As a vast, intact forest ecosystem, the boreal supports a natural web of large carnivores, such as bears, wolves and lynx along with thousands of other species of plants, mammals, birds and insects.

Home to Indigenous Peoples: The boreal forest is home to approximately 500 First Nations communities and hundreds of Métis communities, many accessible only by water or air. As the Canadian government has leased boreal public lands to industry for logging, damming and drilling, the debate about indigenous rights and land claims has come to the forefront in Canada. The connection that the indigenous peoples of the boreal forest have with the land goes beyond land use or subsistence. Elders of communities in the boreal forest talk of being "born on the ground" -- literally born outside in the boreal forest. They describe their spiritual relationship to the land on which their ancestors have walked for thousands of years, as well as their dependence on the fish, medicinal plants and wildlife of the boreal forest.

World Class Wildlife: The boreal forest is teeming with life. The more than 1.5 million lakes in the boreal are a nursery for 40 percent of North America's migratory waterfowl, such as the American black duck, mallard, blue-winged teal and northern shoveller. Approximately 30 percent of North American landbirds, including common backyard songbirds such as the warbler, raise their young each spring in Canada's boreal forest. The elusive and threatened woodland caribou, known as the grey ghost, depends for food on old-growth boreal forests and the lichen that have taken 100 years to develop there. Black bears range throughout the boreal, preferring low-lying vegetation and the abundant food provided by shrubs.

Imminent Industrial Threats: Less than 8 percent of Canada's boreal forest is protected. This provides both opportunity and danger as the logging, hydropower, petroleum and mining industries continue to exploit the southern boreal forest and eye the still unallocated northern regions. In the west, oil and gas exploration and development have carved an ever-expanding network of roads and seismic lines into the forest. Industrial hydropower dams on the boreal forest's northern wild rivers have flooded wildlife habitat, clogged lakes with sediment and killed off critical fish species.

Destruction Driven by U.S. Consumption: The United States is driving much of the demand for boreal forest resources. The United States is the destination for approximately 80 percent of Canada's forest products, including lumber, toilet paper, catalogue paper and newsprint -- much of which comes from clearcutting in the boreal forest. The United States imports more oil from Canada than from any other country and approximately 90 percent of total U.S. natural gas imports come from Canada -- primarily from Alberta, but increasingly from further north in British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories' boreal forest. Canada is the largest producer of hydropower in the world, with much of this energy going to the United States from Manitoba and Quebec's boreal-forest rivers.

Finding a Solution: There is some good news. Canada's boreal is one of the earth's last remaining "frontier forests" -- relatively undisturbed forests large enough to maintain their biodiversity. In addition, Canada's forests are 94 percent publicly owned. These conditions present a unique opportunity to conserve a large, healthy forest ecosystem, a place of incalculable value not only to Canadians, but to all of us.

NRDC is working with many other environmental groups and with First Nations to forge lasting agreements that will ensure the survival of Canada's boreal forest, allow for environmentally sustainable development of its resources and protect the culture of First Nations communities"

Greenpeace has a wonderful blog, and lots of good information and links about how Americans' preference for soft toilet paper, and the paper companies and pulp companies brain washing advertising techniques have led us to believe that we need really, really soft toilet paper and tissues. "Dave Dickson, a spokesman for Kimberly Clark, said that only 14 percent of the wood pulp used by the company came from the boreal forest.
He does not dispute that they’re cutting down ancient boreal forest, just the percentage of their product made from a 10,000-year-old ecosystem."

What? They're cutting down ancient trees so that we can have really, really soft toilet paper? I can't believe it. Another statistic stated in the Greenpeace blog says that "Americans already consume vastly more paper than any other country — about three times more per person than the average European, and 100 times more than the average person in China" and that, “Barely a third of the paper products sold in America are from recycled sources — most of it comes from virgin forests.”

I think this is ridiculous. If everyone reading this would write to Kimberly Clark, and tell everyone they know to do the same, and if we would all use recycled toilet paper, (which is NOT HORRIBLE AT ALL), perhaps we could make a difference.

The Greenpeace website also has a wonderful pocket guide which rates and recommend certain brands based on how good they are for the planet. This is an invaluable resource, please check it out and pass the word!

Remember, every little bit helps. This planet is a wonderful place, let's do our part to keep it that way! And please check out www.FreshGreenTees.com for some cute t-shirts and gifts to help spread the word! There's a large selection, and everything comes with a one hundred percent, money back guarantee.

Looking for faith?

2009-02-15T18:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's hard to find motivational, cool designs to express how you feel about God and religion. Sometimes it's hard to remember to have faith in God. I came across a website recently, At Ease Tees. The merchandise they sell is pretty cool, from posters like this "God is my rock" rock climbing design, which is attractive and sends a message. They also have a lot of pro-life merchandise, which spreads the pro-life message and looks good, too.
At At Ease Tees, they provide many products to promote the gospel, share the truth about Jesus, and provide a Christian alternative to many designs that are inappropriate for Christians.

It's nice that they have greeting cards - great for cheering up someone's day, and posters are always good to have around the house as a reminder. One of my favorites is this fight the good fight of faith design on a framed tile. In these unsure times, it's good to remember our faith and know that God will take care of us. Check out the store and see what you think.

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

Lose ten pounds of belly fat in 25 days?

2009-01-31T20:05:00.000-08:00

So,
tomorrow is February first, 2009. The resolutions have, again, been broken.
Is it too late? I don't know. When I was 25, I could just starve myself for a few weeks and drop ten pounds. Now that I'm in my forties, it's not that easy. It's not easy at all. It seems almost impossible to lose 10 pounds, and yet, the pounds easily creep up and I don't notice until I look in the mirror and don't recognize myself. Or my jeans get tight, and I have to buy the next size up. The lines on the face, the saggy chin, the thights...is this really me? I see a hundred advertisements for easy ways out...the acai berry; as seen on Oprah; lose twenty five pounds of belly fat in two weeks; the Adtkins diet; the master cleanse; Weight Watchers; believe me, I've tried just about everything at one point or another, with mixed results. I know, the only way to really lose weight is to watch what I eat, to move (get exercise), eat healthy, etc. I have a lot of trouble getting motivated. Why? Why is it so freakin' hard for me to get my ass off the couch? Is it time management? Maybe. Is it laziness? Definitely. I'll admit that I should be motivated, I admit that at rare times I am motivated. But I don't know why the feeling is so fleeting, and I don't know how to get it to come back more often, and how to hold onto it. Is it self respect (or a lack of self respect)? Is it self loathing? Is there really an easy answer? Is it worth the hard work? If anyone actually has any answers for a forty-something mother of two who is over stressed and not happy with her appearance, I'd love to hear them.

Beach Scenes

2009-01-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

Well, where I live it's been really, really cold lately. Today it's 16 degrees above zero, and it should feel like a heatwave. But it's damp, and my toes never really thawed out from last week. We had quite the cold snap. One day the HIGH temperature was 6 degrees BELOW zero! That was as warm as it got all day. And this was no one day fluke, it was cold like this for about 5 days. My husband put plastic covering on all of the windows, even though our house isn't super old, we figure every little bit helps. I am dreading seeing what our heating bill is going to be! Another perk to this lovely subzero weather, is that I'm dressing in layers...lots and lots of layers, old sweaters, 3 pair of socks (pairs of socks?) and wearing a hat indoors. I call it my hobo look, my husband calls it sexy (not really).
So, in the midst of all this cold weather, I can really appreciate a nice beach scene. I love this coffee mug that I found online at http://www.cafepress.com/nanwrightart, as it reminds me of walking on the beach when it's nice and hot, and there's a cooling breeze blowing off of the ocean. If you're stuck in the dreary depths of winter, you might like gazing at this beautiful watercolor sandy beach scene, it's relaxing and comforting, and it reminds me that winter won't last forever. Right? If you're looking for some pretty light house paintings, Nan has those in her store also. You can find her original paintings on a variety of items, from greeting cards to keepsake boxes, (a great place to keep your sea shells!)

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

January 2009 already?

2009-01-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Wow! I can't believe it's already January of 2009. As I watched the ball drop in New York City, (on tv of course), many thoughts ran through my mind. Mostly, how could I get the kids to go to bed so that I could? I was seriously tired, when did I get so old? In the days since then, I've had a lot to think about regarding the new year. I've read a lot of articles, seen a lot of lists, the typical New Year's stuff. I didn't even bother to make any resolutions, because I just break them all the time anyway. Any day is as good as the first day of a new year to start trying to be your best and accomplish something you've been wanting to do anyway, right? So, I guess I resolved not to make any particular New Year's resolutions. Great, then I can't disapoint myself. Most of the articles I've read all seem to say the same thing, that 2008 sucked, that it can only get better, the economy is in the toilet, the world is in an awful predicament, hopefully Barack Obama can help sort out the mess. The president elect seems like a good person, I hope he can sort out some of the mess. My heart certainly breaks for the people who've lost their jobs, lost their savings, lost their houses. There are so many said stories out there, and yes, the economy is in bad shape.
I pray things turn around. I pray for peace. There was a local story where a man killed himself and his son, because he was so torn up over financial issues. I cried over that one, and I pray for them both. I hope in times like this, the best comes out in people, not the worst. I hope remember what it's like to be struggling, and help our neighbor. I hope we give others the benefit of the doubt, and believe in the kindness of folks. And when I remember 2008, I won't remember just the struggles and the bad things. I'll remember that we had a pretty, white Christmas, that we were all healthy, that nobody that I loved dearly died that year. And I will count my blessings, over and over again. And I will pray for peace.

Fun music lover's merchandise

2008-12-18T18:03:00.000-08:00

I have always been a music lover, so I'm always on the lookout for unique, original musical t-shirts. One of my favorites is by a fun store called Musicall, is a cool graphic with the word music, in the shape of a heart. I love that it's simple, clever and artistic. If you are a musician or music lover, you'll appreciate this artistic graphic design. This online store offers a variety of clothing and gifts, including this cute, women's cap sleeve t-shirt. There is also a striking light blue on black shirt which I love. I think this would be excellent to wear to my next gig, if I were in a band. Of course, since I have no musical talent, I might just get one to wear to the next concert that I go to.

Here's another fun t-shirt for the musician in your life...or get one for yourself, just to make your friends laugh. The description of this shirt says it all...
"Danger! Touching the Instrument May Result In Severe Bodily Injury. OSHA requires signs to warn of impending danger. Others need to be warned that touching your precious instrument may cause them harm." It's funny and clever and will make people think. These cool shirts are available for lots of different instruments...so if you know someone who plays the french horn, the piano, the bass...or almost any instrument, you can find a great gift for them. Musicians aren't the only ones who will enjoy the clothing, gifts and merchandise from this funky store, Musicall, It's "A store created by musicians for musicians and others who enjoy music!" If you're looking for something original, there is a lot of cool, humorous artwork in this store.

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

Random stream of consciousness...

2008-12-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

Nothing related here...this post is just a rambling ramble of some random thoughts and words...Ice house, random, tumor, cheese cake, music, mean, sleep, stupid, hurt, hairstyle, chicken leg, rude, tumor, fair isle sweater, blue, time, oceans, grilled cheese sandwich, yellow, light, holding on, rambling, tv, veterans, red hair, sing, crabby, bad skin, noise, peace, hope, talking, holiday sadness, rolaids, time travel, tacos, commercialism, therapy, Africa, noise, nothing, basketball, rolling down a grassy hill on a sunny day, sitting on the dock feeling warmth, hearing people I love wake up early, Christmas morning.

Twilight Bella store now open

2008-11-22T23:42:00.000-08:00

Okay, your teen age daughter has read the book twilight, you've seen the commercials for the movie, you know it's going to be the hottest thing ever....get your slice of pop culture at our new Twilight Bella store.
If you're looking for some great Christmas gifts for your teenager, we've got something here...from teddy bears to coffee mugs, and lots more. Remember, everything comes with a 30 day, 100 percent money back guarantee! What have you got to lose?? Take a look!Come visit Twilight Bella on CafePress!

Is there a speech therapist in your life?

2008-11-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

Is there a speech therapist in your life? If you're one of the many people dealing with Developmental Disorders such as PDD, Aspergers, Autism, stroke recovery and more, you've probably worked with a speech therapist.
Speech therapists work with people who can't make speech sounds, or can't make them clearly; those with speech rhythm and fluency problems, people who have trouble understanding and producing language; people with cognitive communication impairments, such as attention, memory, and problem solving disorders; and people who have oral motor problems. From small children to the elderly, they work with people of all ages. They work in schools, hospitals, and private offices. If you are one of the many people who have been helped by a speech therapist, and know how hard they work, you'll appreciate this cute t-shirt from autismshowucare. This cute shirt has a classy, simple design and the words "Speech therapist have a way with words." It is available in a number of colors, with short sleeves or long sleeves.
Autismshowucare.com sells this design and more t-shirts and gifts supporting autism awareness. According to their home page, "We sell and design Autism Awareness T-Shirts and Gifts to help create awareness and educate our communities. Autism is a tough road and it is our job to be a voice for our children. Please take a look at some of our colorful and meaningful Autism Awareness Designs. We have gorgeous looking Autism T-Shirts and Hats. Our Autism Awareness Christmas Ornaments for 2008 are just perfect for Grandma & Grandma. We carry sharp looking Autism Bumper Stickers, Magnets & Tote Bags. Our Autism Support Sweatshirts will keep you warm and send a great message. Autism License Tags for Mom, Dad, and Aunts & Uncles really helps to educate our communities. Our Aspies designs have zest and look great. And for our children suffering with Apraxia we have great T-Shirts & Gifts and you and family. So, lets do it; it is time to show your support to the child or adult in your life on the spectrum with Autism, Apraxia, Aspergers and PDD; we are here for you to help make a difference in Autism Awareness. We also carry great T-shirts and Gifts for our Occupational Therapist & Speech Therapist."
I think this design would make a great Christmas gift or thank you gift that any speech therapist would appreciate. Show them you appreciate their hard work with a cute gift, it's a great way to say thank you.

go here for more information from Wikipedia about becoming a speech therapist.

This blog post is a part of a crossover blog. Other participants in this crossover blog are:

http://ateasetees.wordpress.com/

http://www.blogbydonna.com/

http://getyergoat-goatgifts.blogspot.com

http://www.nanwrightart.com

http://randomshirts.blogspot.com/

http://skeetzteez.blogspot.com/

http://idesignbrian.wordpress.com/

http://www.shopkeeperdesigns.com

http://autismshowucare.blogspot.com

http://www.gocamelphotos.blogspot.com/

http://einselgaenger.blogspot.com/

Time to sleep when we're dead...

2008-10-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Our "new" dog, Comet, (I say new because although we've had him since August, he is the newest of our 3 dogs), keeps waking up very early and having to go out. He whines and barks and generally makes enough noise to wake the neighbors. Since he was kind of "my idea", I feel it is my responsibility to get up with him and take him out. Since he is only about a year old (not positive of his age, he is a shelter dog, we don't know much about "his background"), he still has a lot of puppy energy. Which means he wants to play all the time. And he needs to run and chase things constantly. I don't mean to complain, he is really, really smart, and I love him. It's just hard to see some things at 5:00 am on a Sunday when you could be sleeping for a few more hours. Which is why I was surprised this morning when I took him outside. I was a bit grumpy, and then, as I sat on my front porch, throwing his toy for him to bring back, I listened to the birds and I watched the sun come up, and I saw my neighbor's beautiful maple tree turning one hundred shades of red and orange, and I took a deep breath, and I was glad I was up to see this. I mean, as they say, there will be plenty of time to sleep when we're dead. I'm usually in such a hurry in the morning to get the kids off to school, and to get ready for work, I hardly notice things. It occurred to me today how lucky I am. I have a warm place to live, and people I love, and there is so much beauty all around me. And then I thought, I'm pretty sure God wanted me to get up early and see this sunrise and count my blessings.
And I was happy.

TIKI TOON : the blog: ADMIT ONE Movie Shoe by ~bluedecker97 Keds shoe from Zazzle.com

2008-10-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

TIKI TOON : the blog: ADMIT ONE Movie Shoe by ~bluedecker97 Keds shoe from Zazzle.com

Contest to win a free truck

2008-10-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there is a contest going on from my local country music station, 96.3 Star Country. They put 8 people into a truck (well, 4 people each into two Ford trucks). Who ever can stay in the truck the longest, wins the truck. I think they get a bathroom break every 3 hours. Anyway, I thought it sounded kind of hmmm, boring, but I can't explain it, I went to the website and couldn't stop watching. I don't even know why. There are 5 separate cameras, and you can watch the people interact, read, try to get comfortable. I don't know why, but it's interesting to watch. Kind of like that movie "The Truman Show", only these people know they're being watched. Which doesn't explain why one guy sneezed and wiped it all over his shirt. Either bad manors or they don't let them have Kleenex. If you want to check out the 96.3 Star Country Stuck in a Truck Contest, click here.

Green Jobs Now!

2008-09-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

Went to a rally today for Green Jobs Now. It's a great idea that makes a lot of sense. Good for the economy and the planet, really the way of the future!
But they said it best...
"

On Saturday, September 27, we're launching a national mobilization to say, "I'm ready for the green economy." We are ready to tackle the climate crisis by building a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

Green Jobs Now is a National Day of Action that will empower everyday people to stage hundreds of grassroots events throughout the country. We will have a special focus on low-income communities, communities of color and indigenous people. This will send a message to our leaders that, when it comes to creating green jobs for a more sustainable economy, PEOPLE ARE READY!

Right now, there are millions of people ready to work and countless jobs to be done that will strengthen our economy at home. There are thousands of buildings that need to be weatherized, solar panels to be installed, and wind turbines to be erected. There are communities that need local and sustainable food and people ready to farm the crops. There are public transit systems and smart electricity grids in need of engineers and electricians. Americans are ready to build the new economy. It's time to invest in saving the planet and the people. It's time for green jobs now!

~ Van Jones and the Green Jobs Now Team"

You should really check out their website for ideas and ways to get involved!

http://www.greenjobsnow.com/

And if you're looking for just the right t-shirt to wear to your next rally, check out some of my original designs at my online store www.Freshgreentees.com

Wear your politics on your sleeve...

2008-09-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

In Pennsylvania, it's now okay for people who are voting to wear their political t-shirts and buttons to the polling place. This article talks about the recent ruling. Apparently, the ACLU has received some complaints. But really, as long as they're not campaigning, or pushing their views on anyone, shouldn't they be allowed to wear whatever they like? Isn't that part of free speech? Is it touchy because your at a polling place...? Don't most people who come to a polling place to vote already have their minds made up? Or would a cool t-shirt make them change their mind?
I know this presidential election has tensions running high, people believe very strongly in their candidates, and I think it's great to be passionate about politics. One great thing about a campaign t-shirt, button or coffee cup is, you can get your opinions known, you can open up a dialog about your political views if you like, or you can just spread the word about what you believe in without getting into the details.
I think voters who show up wearing campaign t-shirts and buttons shouldn't be prevented from voting.
And here's the thing...if you need a campaign button, bumper sticker, yard sign or t-shirt featuring your favorite candidate, you can get yours at my store, www.creativethoughttshirts.com.

Weddings

2008-09-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

So, I attended a wedding this weekend, my husband's niece got married. I love weddings, for all the romantic reasons most women love weddings. And as I get older, and now that I'm married, weddings mean different things to me than they used to. I think when I was young and single, I liked them because there was romance in the air, seeing two people commit their lives to each other gave me hope, if they could find each other, then I should be able to find someone, too, right? And, let's be honest, I love a guy in a tux or nice suit. So, eventually I found my husband and trapped him...uh, I mean, we decided to get married. There was the usual planning of the wedding fun...trying on dresses, shopping with my mom and my sister and sister in laws, getting everyone's opinion on everything from the shoe color to napkins. Before I knew it it was my wedding day, one of the best days of my life. It flew by, and it was wonderful. So now, when I go to a wedding, I remember the details of my wedding day, how nervous I was, how the weather was so beautiful, how we danced and danced, and then how exhausted I was when it was all over. I've been married for about fifteen years now. My husband and I have made it through some tough times, as well as good times. We've each lost a parent, we've had two healthy babies together, we've bought a house, changed jobs, the usual milestones in life that you share with a partner. But to be honest, you never really know how you'll react to these things before they happen. You just sort of take a leap of faith and optimism, and luckily, it turns out my husband is a wonderful man after all. I realize now how little I really knew him when we got married. And I appreciate and love him so much more now. After years of seeing people I know go through painful divorces, and remarriages, and all that goes with that... I really enjoy weddings. So these days when I attend a wedding, I see the optimism in the couple getting married, I pray they'll make it, and it renews my memories and my faith in human kind. It's a reason to celebrate, and a reason to thank God for my marriage.
As a side note, I made some new shirts for my Cafepress store, CreativethoughtTshirts.com, mostly they're for bachelorette parties...bridesmaids, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, bride to be, etc. They can be found here.

Peace loving hippie design

2008-09-05T05:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have to say, I just did a design I really like. This sounds silly, as I'm doing new t-shirt designs all the time, but sometimes I get so caught up in SEO (didn't even know what that was until I started my Cafepress store!), uploading designs, blogging, tracking visitors to the web site, and all the other stuff you just HAVE to do, it seems I never get enough time to do things I WANT to do. (I know, if I could save time in a bottle...) Anyway, here's a design I did last night that I really like. Check it out at my FreshGreenTees.com store.

My Heart will go on...

2008-08-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

So,
although my heart is still broken over the Packers losing Brett Favre, I've decided to buck up and face reality. I will always love him, and I will always love the Green Bay Packers (although I'm a little pissed at the management). Anyway, as the song from the Titanic movie says...my heart will go on...
So I've been busy working on my Cafepress t-shirt and gift stores, and will now make a shameless plug for my newest design...Barack Obama and Joe Biden in 2008.
I will be working on more designs, and as the election comes closer, will be putting more on campaign buttons and yard signs, so please check it out.

Squidoo Lenses

2008-08-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if you're familiar with Squidoo, but it's pretty cool and fun. I'm including some links here to Squidoo "lenses" that I've created, check 'em out! Here's one on Barack Obama wear/buttons/ political swag that can all be found online.

This one is all about going green, yes it features my online store FreshGreenTees.com, but there are a lot of resources and articles too, on other great recycling products and hypermilling.

If you're going to New Orleans, I urge you to check out my fun things to do in New Orleans lens. My husband and I attended the annual Jazz and Heritage festival, and it was fabulous. The food there was wonderful, as well.

One Squidoo lens that is close to my heart, is the what to do in Madison, Wisconsin lens. As Madison is my hometown, and a great place to live or visit, I'm pretty fond of it.

If you're not familiar with the concept of hypermilling, I urge you to check out my Hypermiling and Smiling lens.

Moment of silence

2008-08-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Brett Favre, my beloved Packer quarterback, is now a New York Jet.
I am at a loss. We will now have some silence as we reflect on this tragedy....

Brett Favre going to Tampa Bay?

2008-08-05T15:05:00.001-07:00

Can it be true? Is Brett Favre going to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers??
Could it be? Check out savebrett.net to sign a petition protesting the decision of the Green Bay Packer management.
And, say a prayer for Brett.